The next morning—
the office felt different.
Lighter in energy, but heavier in something unspoken.
Whispers spread quickly.
"Did you hear? She's coming today…"
"The one everyone's talking about?"
"She's beautiful—and rich…"
Lina tilted her head slightly, pausing mid-step.
"…Who?"
Before anyone could answer—
the elevator doors opened.
And everything seemed to shift.
A woman stepped out.
Graceful.
Composed.
Effortlessly confident in a way that didn't need attention—but naturally drew it anyway.
Her presence carried weight.
Status.
Influence.
The kind of presence that didn't ask for space—
it expected it.
"Wow…" someone whispered under their breath.
Lina stood still, watching quietly as the woman walked forward.
Not rushed.
Not hesitant.
Just… certain.
Every step deliberate.
Every movement refined.
She moved directly toward Adrian's office without stopping.
Without asking.
Without needing permission.
Lina's gaze lingered.
Something about her felt… different.
Not just confidence.
But familiarity.
Like she belonged to a world Lina had only seen from the outside.
Later—
she learned why.
"That's Miss Veronica Vale," a coworker explained in a hushed tone. "A major investor's daughter."
"Oh…"
Lina nodded slowly.
"And rumor says—she's interested in the CEO."
That landed differently.
Lina blinked.
"…Oh."
Just a simple sound.
But something inside her shifted.
Subtle.
Uncomfortable.
Unfamiliar.
Her chest tightened slightly, though she didn't fully understand why.
Inside the office—
Veronica stood with an easy smile.
"Adrian," she greeted smoothly, "it's been a while."
"Miss Vale."
His tone was polite.
Professional.
Measured.
Too measured.
Veronica noticed.
And didn't like it.
"You're still as cold as ever," she said lightly, almost teasing.
"It's efficient."
She let out a soft laugh.
But it didn't quite reach her eyes.
Then—
her gaze drifted.
Past Adrian.
Through the glass walls.
To the figure outside.
"…Who's that?"
Adrian followed her line of sight.
For a brief second—
his expression softened.
"…An employee."
"Just an employee?"
"Yes."
Simple.
Direct.
Final.
But Veronica's smile deepened slightly.
Not quite warm.
Not quite friendly.
Her eyes, however—
held something sharper.
More curious.
More calculating.
Something unspoken lingered in her gaze as she continued to look at Lina.
And Adrian—
noticed.
Even if he said nothing.
Even if he didn't turn back.
Because in that moment—
three people stood in the same space.
But none of them were looking at the same thing.
And none of them—
were feeling the same way.