Adrian's POV
She blinked slightly. "What did you say?"
I held her gaze for a moment before leaning back in my chair as if it didn't matter.
"Don't worry about it."
She nodded once and turned, walking out of my office. The door clicked shut, and I exhaled, dragging a hand down my face before loosening my tie in frustration.
"Why the hell can't I remember anything?" I muttered under my breath.
It didn't make sense. I could recall bits and pieces, flashes that held no complete meaning, but nothing solid. Nothing clear enough to confirm what actually happened. And that annoyed me more than it should have.
A few minutes later, there was a knock.
"Come in."
She stepped in, holding a tray. She walked over and placed my coffee neatly on the table before straightening up.
"Sir, we have an outside meeting today with Westbridge Holdings in Newark. We need to leave as soon as possible if we're going to make it to the scheduled time."
I looked up immediately. "What? Isn't that meeting on Monday?"
"It was, sir," she replied calmly. "The date was changed."
"Since when?"
"Three days ago."
I stared at her in disbelief. "And you're telling me now?"
"I sent the update to your email and calendar, sir," she said. "I also left a reminder in your desk file. I wanted to inform you again yesterday, but you asked me not to come into your office unless you called for me."
That silenced me. I leaned back slowly, realizing she had done her job. This one was on me.
I exhaled lightly. "What time are we setting out?"
"Now, sir."
I glanced at the time on my wrist. "Now?"
"Yes, sir." She checked her iPad. "The journey is about two hours by road, and the meeting is at twelve. If we leave now, we can avoid traffic."
A short chuckle escaped my lips.
"Two hours?" I echoed. "Why would I sit in a car for two hours?"
I looked at the time again. "It's just past eight. Get ready. We leave by ten-thirty."
Her brows pulled together slightly. "Sir, that's a risk. We might not make it."
I waved her concerns off. "Just do as I said."
She hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, sir."
She turned and left.
The moment the door closed, I picked up my phone and made a call.
"Get the helicopter ready."
By 10:25, she was already standing in my office again, fully prepared, her bag resting against her side with everything she needed neatly organized inside.
"Mr. Kingston, we should be on our way now."
Before I could respond, the low, powerful sound of rotating blades filled the air, vibrating faintly through the building.
She paused, clearly confused. "What is that?"
"It's here," I said simply, standing up.
We both walked out, heading toward the elevator.
"Do you have the Harding files?" I asked as we moved.
"Yes, sir."
"The revised contract draft?"
"Yes, sir."
"The financial summary from last quarter—"
Before I could finish, she stepped ahead of me, pressed the elevator button, and turned back. "I have everything with me, sir. You don't have to worry."
Then she gestured toward the open elevator. "After you."
I stepped in without a word, and she reached to press the button.
"Not that one," I said, stopping her hand.
I pressed it myself. "Rooftop."
She looked at me, surprised. "The rooftop?"
"Yes."
She didn't ask anything else. The elevator doors opened into a quiet hallway that led straight to a secured exit. I pushed the door open, and the moment we stepped outside, the wind hit us hard.
Her hair lifted instantly, and her clothes shifted with the force of the air as the helicopter blades spun loudly.
She looked at the helicopter, then back at me, clearly shocked.
"We're taking this?" she shouted.
"I can't hear you," I replied, moving forward.
"I said, are we taking this?" she repeated, louder this time.
"Yes."
The crew straightened the moment I approached, greeting me with respect as I stepped closer to the helicopter. But when I glanced back, she hadn't moved. She was still standing there, a few steps behind, looking stiff. I gestured for her to come.
She shook her head.
I frowned slightly and walked back to her. Taking her hand, I led her toward the door behind us, away from the noise so we could hear each other properly.
"What's the problem?" I asked.
She hesitated, then lowered her voice. "I'm… scared."
"Scared of what?"
"I've never… been on anything like that before," she admitted, hugging the file tightly against her chest.
I looked at her closely. The way she stood, her shoulders slightly drawn in, lips pressed together, eyes unsure…
A faint smile tugged at my lips before I could stop it.
"Cute," I muttered under my breath.
She didn't hear me.
Her gaze was still lowered, and without thinking, I lifted my hand to her chin, tilting her face up gently.
My eyes dropped to her lips.
Her lower lip was caught between her teeth, and the sight made me swallow hard, the moment lingering a little too long in my mind.
I looked away quickly.
"You'll be fine," I said, my voice steadier now. "You're safe."
She didn't look convinced.
"What's the worst that could happen?" I added lightly. "We die?"
Her eyes widened immediately. "Die?"
"I'm scared," she repeated.
A smirk formed on my lips. "Relax. We'll go and come back safely. And if anything happens, I'll personally take care of your funeral."
"Mr. Kingston!" she snapped. "How can you say something like that?"
I only smirked.
Then I took her hand again, firmer this time.
"Trust me."
Before she could protest, I pulled her along with me toward the helicopter.