Adrian pushed the office door open with his shoulder.
He walked in without slowing down, Lucy still in his arms.
The room was quiet.
Cold.
Organized.
He moved straight to the couch and gently placed her down.
"Sit," he said softly.
Lucy obeyed, still overwhelmed.
Her hands rested on her lap, fingers trembling slightly.
He walked to his desk, picked up a small first aid box, then came back.
Kneeling slightly in front of her, he reached for her knee.
Lucy stiffened at the contact.
"It's fine," he said calmly. "Stay still."
She nodded.
He cleaned the wound carefully.
Slow. Focused.
Lucy watched him.
Confused.
This was the same man who had just terrified an entire office.
Now—
He was being careful with her.
"Why did you come here?" he asked without looking up.
Lucy swallowed.
"I… I came to work."
His hand paused for a second.
"Work?" he repeated.
She nodded.
"I've always worked here," she said quietly.
"I didn't think I should just stop."
He looked up at her.
There was something in his eyes.
Something she couldn't fully understand.
"Lucy," he said slowly,
"I have more money than you can imagine."
She blinked.
"You don't need to do this," he continued.
"If you want something, you ask me. I'll give it to you."
Lucy looked down.
"I'm not used to that," she said softly.
A pause.
He studied her face.
"You left without telling me," he added.
"Even if you wanted to work, you should have informed me."
She nodded quickly.
"I'm sorry…"
Her voice broke slightly.
"I didn't think it would be a problem."
"It is," he said calmly.
"There are things you can handle. Not this."
Lucy frowned slightly.
"I don't know how to do anything else," she admitted.
Silence.
Then—
Her eyes filled again.
"I didn't take anything," she said, her voice shaking.
"I'm not a thief… I didn't do it…"
The words came out faster now.
"I don't even know why everyone thinks that. I didn't—"
Her voice broke completely.
Tears fell.
Adrian's expression softened slightly.
He reached up and wiped her tears.
"Enough," he said quietly.
Lucy shook her head.
"I didn't take it… I swear…"
"I heard you," he replied.
His voice was low.
Steady.
He pulled her gently into his arms.
Lucy froze at first.
Her body tense.
But his hold was firm.
Not rough.
"Relax," he said softly.
And something in his voice—
Made her stop fighting.
Slowly—
She leaned into him.
Her hands moved slightly—
Then rested against his chest.
"I didn't do it…" she whispered again.
"No one will say that to you again," he said.
His hand moved slowly over her back.
Calm.
Reassuring.
Lucy didn't even realize when she wrapped her arms around him.
She just needed something to hold onto.
And for that moment—
It was him.
Time passed quietly.
Her breathing slowed.
Her body relaxed completely against him.
Adrian looked down slightly.
"…Lucy?"
No response.
He shifted a little.
She didn't move.
She had fallen asleep.
Right there.
In his arms.
He stared at her for a second.
Then carefully adjusted his hold and stood up.
He placed her gently on the couch.
Moved her slightly so she was comfortable.
Then he took off his suit jacket.
And covered her with it.
He stood there.
Looking at her.
Her face looked peaceful now.
Like nothing had happened.
He let out a quiet breath.
A small smile touched his lips.
"Troublesome," he murmured to himself.
A knock came—
But before he could respond—
The door opened.
"Adrian, I just—"
A pen flew across the room.
Jurbe stopped instantly.
"Hey!" he snapped. "What was that for?"
"Lower your voice," Adrian said calmly.
Jurbe frowned.
Then stepped in fully—
And saw her.
Sleeping on the couch.
Covered in Adrian's jacket.
He blinked.
Then looked at Adrian.
Then back at Lucy.
A slow smile spread across his face.
"…Oh," he said.
Adrian didn't respond.
Jurbe folded his arms.
"So this is what's going on," he added.
Still no response.
Jurbe walked closer.
"You carried her all the way here?" he asked.
Silence.
"That must have been… interesting," he continued.
Adrian picked up a file.
Ignoring him.
Jurbe smirked.
"You're smiling," he said suddenly.
Adrian paused.
"I'm not."
"You were," Jurbe insisted.
"I saw it."
Adrian didn't look at him.
"You're imagining things."
Jurbe chuckled softly.
"Yeah… sure," he said.
He looked at Lucy again.
"Asleep already?" he added.
"You must be very comforting."
Adrian shot him a look.
"Do you have something important to say?" he asked.
Jurbe raised his hands slightly.
"Relax," he said.
"I just came to talk."
Then he leaned closer slightly.
"But this…" he gestured toward Lucy,
"…this is new."
Adrian remained silent.
Jurbe smiled again.
"You're in trouble," he said quietly.
Adrian didn't answer.
But his eyes moved back to Lucy.
And for a brief moment—
There was something there.
Something even he didn't fully understand yet.