Morning came quietly.
Too quietly.
Lucy woke up on the chair.
Her neck stiff.
Her body slightly sore.
She blinked slowly, trying to adjust.
Then her eyes moved to the bed.
Adrian was still asleep.
For a moment, she just watched him.
His face was calm.
Nothing like the man everyone feared.
Her expression softened for a second.
Then she looked away.
"Don't start," she muttered to herself.
She stood up slowly and stretched a little.
The room felt different in the morning light.
Less tense.
But not peaceful.
A knock came at the door.
Lucy turned.
"Come in."
One of the guards stepped in.
He looked surprised to see her there.
"Ma'am… good morning," he said.
Lucy nodded.
"What is it?"
He hesitated.
Then spoke carefully.
"Sir has meetings scheduled today… urgent ones."
Lucy frowned slightly.
"Cancel them."
The guard shook his head.
"They can't be canceled."
She crossed her arms.
"Why not?"
"They involve… important people," he replied.
Lucy glanced at Adrian.
Still asleep.
Still injured.
Her jaw tightened.
"Then reschedule."
"They refused, ma'am."
Silence.
Lucy looked back at the guard.
Then at Adrian again.
A thought crossed her mind.
"No," she said quietly.
The guard blinked.
"Ma'am?"
Lucy turned fully toward him now.
"I'll go."
The guard froze.
"Ma'am… I don't think—"
"I wasn't asking," she said calmly.
Her voice wasn't loud.
But it was firm.
"He's not going anywhere in that condition," she continued.
"And those meetings won't cancel themselves."
The guard hesitated.
Lucy stepped closer.
"Prepare the car."
A pause.
"Yes, ma'am."
He left.
Lucy turned back to Adrian.
She walked closer to the bed.
Stood there for a moment.
Then she spoke quietly.
"I'm not doing this for you."
No response.
He was still asleep.
"I'm doing it because I have to," she added.
Still nothing.
She exhaled and turned away.
The company building stood tall.
Intimidating.
Lucy stepped out of the car slowly.
Her eyes scanned the place.
She had been here before.
But today felt different.
Today—
Everyone was looking at her.
Whispers started immediately.
"Is that her?"
"Why is she here?"
"Where's Mr Adrian?"
Lucy ignored them.
She walked in.
Steady.
Calm.
Clara saw her first.
Her eyes widened.
"Lucy?"
Lucy gave a small nod.
"Hi."
Clara rushed to her.
"Are you okay? Where have you been? And why is everyone saying"
"I'm fine," Lucy cut in.
"Where's the meeting room?"
Clara blinked.
"Meeting room?"
"Yes."
Clara pointed.
Lucy walked away;
deep inside of her she was scared, to walk into that meeting room.