I don't remember walking to the hotel room I just remember the sting in my chest and the heaviness in my feet, and Adrien's words echoing in my head.
"it's Disgusting."
The second the door clicked shut behind me, I let my bag fall to the floor and leaned against the door closing my eyes.
I didn't cry... I couldn't I just stood there. Breathing. Burning.
Why did it hurt so much? What I experienced from that scary man didn't even hurt as what he said to me.
I peeled off the blazer and kicked off my heels like they were the enemy, and sank onto the bed. My wrist still ached from where that pervert twisted it. And now Adrien had twisted something else entirely—something I didn't even know could ache this way.
My eyes drifted to the mirror across the room. My bun was messy, one earring gone, lipstick smudged. I looked like someone who'd been through war and lost.
And yet, I survived.
I reached for the glass of water on the bedside table, took a sip, and finally allowed myself to lie back. The soft sheets swallowed me whole. For the first time in years I wanted sleep not to escape reality but to escape him.
Adrien Walton.
The devil in tailored suits. Why did he act like that if he found me disgusting….
It was not my fault universe likes playing in my face.
I closed my eyes and whispered into the darkness, "I won't break. Not for you. Not for anyone."
ADRIEN'S POV
I slammed the door behind me a little harder than I meant to.
The silence of the hotel room felt louder than usual. Just me─and the storm I refused to acknowledge.
I loosened my tie and poured myself a glass of liquor, letting the amber liquid burn its way down. It didn't help.
Why the hell did I act like some knight in a damn boardroom? Ugh this whole thing is driving me crazy.
I could've just walked away. Ignored her tears and let her deal with it─like adults do. Like employees do.
But I didn't.
I stood up for her. Fought for her and threatened a deal and destroyed a company because that bastard touched what wasn't his.
Tch. I must've hit him harder than I thought. Good.
I sat on the edge of the bed, elbows on my knees while staring at the floor like it held answers. Was I too harsh on her in the elevator? Maybe. She looked like she was about to break. But then again... that's not my problem… is it?
She's a gold digger.
A liar.
A manipulative, soft-eyed, smart-mouthed little actress who somehow managed to crawl under my skin.
I was just being decent. That's all.
Even if she doesn't deserve it.
But... the way she looked in that conference room─like a cornered animal trying so hard to stay proud─it did something to me. Something I don't like.
And the way that beast did something to her... like he owned her?
My jaw clenched.
He'll pay. He will pay. I'll make sure his entire firm rots to the ground before morning. No one touches what's mine─
Wait.
What?
I paused blinking slowly at the thought.
She's not mine.
Except...
Well technically speaking, she is.
She works for me and I pay her. I control her schedule ─ Her time and Her presence. That makes her mine.
My employee, And I protect what's mine. Because if I don't─who will?
I downed the rest of the drink and stood up while reaching for my phone.
"Make sure his accounts are frozen and his board is informed of the breach. Effective immediately."
My voice was cold and steady just like it's supposed to be.
No one touches what's mine.
ISABELLA'S POV
My phone buzzed sharply against the nightstand, dragging me out of the only good sleep I'd had in days. I groaned as I struggled reaching for it with one hand while rubbing the crust of exhaustion out of my eyes with the other.
Adrien Walton.
Of course.
I answered with a grunt that could barely pass for human.
"Get dressed," his cold clipped voice said without even a hello ─good morning─ are you okay. "Wear something you can walk under the sun in. We're going to examine an ongoing project at a site. Meet me at the lobby in thirty minutes."
And just like that, the line went dead.
He didn't say "please." No room for negotiation. Not like I expect any.
I stared at the phone screen like it had personally offended me.
Right. He's my boss. Technically. But what the heck is with this man and his obsession with thirty-minute orders? It's like a damn countdown bomb every time he calls. Meet me in thirty minutes.Be at the airport in thirty minutes.Sell your soul in thirty minutes.
I flopped back on the bed for all of five seconds before groaning and launching myself into zombie-mode prep. My legs still ached from yesterday's emotional rollercoaster. My arms were sore. Even my soul felt bruised.
But no. Heaven forbid Adrien Walton waits like a normal human being.
****
I rushed into the lobby slightly out of breath, my long wavvy hair loose and flowing down my back, catching the morning light with every step. It framed my face, wild but soft─nothing like the usual tight bun I wore around him. Sunglasses shielding my soul, and sweat already forming thanks to the mad sprint I did down the hallway. There he was─standing like the poster boy for elegance and irritation, checking his watch like he was about to file a lawsuit over my lateness.
"You're ten seconds late," he said flatly without even looking up properly.
ten seconds? I wanted to roll my eyes so hard they'd disappear into another dimension. Was he born annoying or did he train for this?
Then, without warning, he tossed me the keys.
"You're driving."
I blinked. "Wait… what? I—I don't know anywhere in this foreign country and you want me to drive? To a place I've never even heard of?"
He raised an eyebrow, still so calm it pissed me off. "Uhm, I don't know where the site is," I added, trying again hoping logic would wins today.
"And you think I don't know that?" he replied like I was the dumb one here.
Oh, for the love of─"Well, excuse me for not knowing your almighty plan," I mumbled under my breath. "Of course, sir. Pardon my manners. I apologize," I added with a mock-curtsy I knew would get me fired if I took it one step further.
He didn't respond. "Open your map app," he ordered.
I did as told. He took my phone and typed something in and then handed it back to me. I glanced at the location pinned on the screen.
"Follow the directions," he said as he walked past me then slid into the back seat and made himself comfortable─like this was some kind of royal carriage.
I stared at him through the windshield muttering under my breath, "Oh, yes, Your Majesty. Let the royal tour commence."
Then I climbed into the driver's seat praying I wouldn't accidentally crash into a lamppost before getting to the damn site.