The private elevator chimed open, the sleek walls reflecting the polished image of Adrien Walton and Clara Langford standing beside me like some curated power exhibit.
Clara was already mid-sentence, her voice like perfectly poured wine. "I'm hoping to shadow different departments, of course. But I'd really love to see the way you handle executive negotiations. It's something I've always admired."
"I'll send you a schedule," Adrien replied, voice clipped but not unkind. "Your primary role will be observation. If I need anything more, I'll say so."
"Of course," she said sweetly, eyes upturned. "I'll try to stay invisible."
I glanced at her. That was… rich.
Adrien's phone buzzed once. He checked it, tapped the screen, then glanced down at me briefly. The moment was small, but there. His fingers brushed against mine—on purpose.
Then my phone vibrated.
I glanced down, already suspecting who it was.
Aria:
