Beneath the Surface

Chapter 9: The Return of Daniel

Amelia's head spun as she walked through the office, trying to make sense of everything that had happened in the past few days. Adrian's words echoed in her mind—You're mine—and she couldn't escape the weight of them. She wanted to be strong, to maintain her independence, but something about Adrian's intensity, his need for control, kept pulling her back in.

She had tried to get back to work, to focus on the task at hand, but her thoughts were constantly drifting to Adrian, to their kiss, to the space they shared that was charged with electricity. But she also couldn't forget about Daniel, who had completely disappeared after their confrontation with Adrian. She hadn't heard a word from him since the night Adrian had threatened him.

But now, as she rounded the corner to the break room, her breath caught in her throat. Daniel was standing there, leaning casually against the counter, a grin on his face as if nothing had ever happened.

"Amelia," he said with a cocky smile, his eyes bright. "You look... different."

She froze in her tracks, unsure of what to say. The last time they'd spoken had been the night Adrian had practically thrown him out of the office. The tension between them had been thick, and now, seeing Daniel again after everything, the emotions stirred inside her like a whirlwind.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice surprisingly steady despite the storm of feelings inside her.

Daniel's grin widened as he pushed off from the counter, taking a few steps toward her. "I couldn't stay away. I had to see you. To make sure you were okay after everything."

Amelia glanced around nervously. The office was quiet, but the risk of being seen in a vulnerable moment was still too great. "You shouldn't be here," she whispered, stepping back. "Adrian—"

"I don't care about Adrian," Daniel interrupted, his tone suddenly serious, his eyes locking onto hers. "I care about you, Amelia."

His words hit her like a punch to the gut. She didn't know how to react. Everything about their situation was messy, complicated. But there was something in Daniel's gaze, something raw and intense that drew her in against her will.

Before she could say anything else, Daniel took another step forward, closing the gap between them. His hand reached up to gently caress her cheek, and the touch sent a jolt of warmth through her.

"Amelia, I—"

But before he could finish, Amelia's breath caught in her throat as his lips descended onto hers. It was sudden, unexpected, and filled with an undeniable hunger. She stood frozen, caught between the pull of his kiss and the chaos that Adrian had created inside her. Daniel's hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer, his kiss deepening with urgency.

Her mind screamed at her to pull away, to stop, but her body was betraying her once again. She couldn't deny the way her heart raced, the way her pulse quickened as Daniel kissed her, his lips hungry and possessive in their own right.

And then, just as the kiss deepened, a voice broke through the haze of confusion and desire.

"What the hell is going on here?"

Amelia pulled away, her heart racing as she spun around, her eyes wide with shock. Standing in the doorway, his jaw clenched in fury, was Adrian. His eyes blazed with jealousy, his entire posture stiff and radiating anger.

Amelia's breath caught in her throat, and she took a step back, instinctively reaching for her throat as if to steady herself. Adrian's eyes were fixed on her and Daniel, his gaze dark with something close to rage.

"What... what are you doing here?" Adrian asked Daniel, his voice dangerously low, though it was clear he was struggling to maintain control.

Daniel didn't flinch. In fact, he smiled, a smug expression crossing his face as he stood his ground. "I think the real question, Adrian, is why you're so possessive of her. She's not yours. Not yet."

Adrian's eyes flared, the heat of his anger burning through the air. He stepped forward, his presence towering, radiating an energy that sent chills down Amelia's spine.

"Stay away from her," Adrian growled, his voice low but fierce. "She's mine. I told you that before."

Amelia stood there, caught in the middle of the storm. Adrian's possessiveness was suffocating, but Daniel's arrogance only made things more complicated. The tension between the three of them was palpable, thick enough to cut with a knife.

She couldn't breathe, couldn't think. Her heart was torn in two, and for the first time, she realized just how deep the conflict within her had become.

"You think she belongs to you?" Daniel said, taking a step toward Adrian, his tone mocking. "You think you can just claim her and have everything go your way?"

Adrian's jaw tightened, and his fists clenched, but he didn't respond. Instead, his eyes flickered to Amelia, his gaze softening for a split second. "Amelia," he said quietly, his voice breaking through the tension. "Please. Don't let him do this."

Amelia's chest tightened at the sound of his voice—so raw, so vulnerable. She didn't know what to say. She didn't know what to feel.

The silence stretched on between them, and then, suddenly, Adrian lunged forward. Daniel didn't move fast enough, and before anyone could react, Adrian had shoved him, knocking him back against the counter.

"Get out." Adrian's voice was barely a whisper, the warning clear in his eyes. He was done playing games.

Daniel, stunned by the force of Adrian's attack, stumbled backward. But instead of retaliating, he glanced at Amelia one last time, his eyes filled with a mixture of anger and frustration. "You'll never be his, Amelia," he muttered under his breath before turning on his heel and leaving the office without another word.

Adrian stood there, his breathing heavy, his fists still clenched. His eyes met Amelia's, and this time, there was no anger, no violence in them—only something far more dangerous: need.

"Amelia," he whispered, his voice breaking. "I won't let anyone take you from me."

Amelia felt her heart race as she met his gaze, torn between the two men who had claimed pieces of her heart, each in their own way. She didn't know what the future held, but one thing was clear—everything was about to change.