The week passed in a blur of meetings, phone calls, and impossible expectations. By Friday, Lena was certain that working for Adrian Blackwood required a different kind of stamina—mental, emotional, maybe even spiritual.
Every day felt like a test she couldn't afford to fail.
Every glance from Adrian felt like both a challenge and a question she didn't yet know how to answer.
But what unsettled her most wasn't his perfectionism.
It was the way he sometimes looked at her when he thought she wasn't watching—like he saw too much.
---
That morning, she was reviewing a list of clients when Maya's name flashed on her phone.
Lena hesitated before answering. "Hey, May."
"Girl, do you ever sleep?" Maya's voice burst through the line, bright and familiar. "You disappeared! Did the billionaire lock you in a tower?"
Lena smiled faintly. "Something like that."
"Tell me he's at least paying you enough to buy actual groceries and not those sad instant noodles."
Lena laughed. "More than enough."
"Hmm," Maya said in mock suspicion. "So what's the catch?"
"I don't know yet," Lena admitted quietly. "But I'll tell you when I find out."
---
Her break ended quickly. By noon, she was back in the rhythm—emails, phone calls, scheduling chaos. She barely noticed the way people's conversations fell silent when she passed.
At first, she thought she was imagining it. But then came the looks—the sidelong glances, the whispered tones.
When she entered the break room, two junior associates quickly gathered their things and left, their laughter fading as soon as the door closed.
Lena frowned. What was that about?
Mr. Reed entered a few minutes later. "Miss Hart," he said curtly. "A word of advice."
She looked up. "Yes?"
He lowered his voice. "Keep your distance from Mr. Blackwood outside of work hours. The office talks too much."
Lena blinked. "What? Why?"
"People notice when the boss pays attention to someone," he said. "Especially when he usually pays attention to no one."
Her face heated. "That's ridiculous. He's my boss."
Reed gave a small, polite smile. "In this building, perception is reality."
And then he was gone, leaving her with his warning echoing in her mind.
---
That evening, Adrian's office light was still on long after most of the staff had gone home. Lena stood at her desk, debating whether to say goodnight or just leave quietly.
Finally, she knocked lightly on the door.
"Come in," his voice called.
He was sitting behind his desk, sleeves rolled up, tie loosened, papers scattered across the surface. For once, he looked… human.
"I finished the report you wanted," she said. "Do you need anything else before I go?"
He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he looked at her for a long moment—so long that she almost forgot to breathe.
"Sit," he said softly.
She hesitated, then did.
"Do you enjoy working here?" he asked.
"I do," she said honestly. "It's challenging. I've learned more in one week than in my last two years combined."
He nodded, gaze thoughtful. "Good. But be careful, Lena. Success here comes with a price."
"What kind of price?"
"The kind that demands you forget who you were before you walked through those doors."
She frowned. "Is that what happened to you?"
He gave a small, almost sad smile. "I didn't have the luxury of remembering."
Something in his tone made her chest ache. Before she could respond, his phone buzzed. He checked the screen, his jaw tightening.
"I have to take this," he said quietly.
She nodded and stood, but as she reached the door, his voice stopped her.
"Lena."
She turned.
He met her eyes. "If anyone in this building ever tries to intimidate or question you, you come to me. Understood?"
She nodded slowly. "Yes, sir."
For a brief second, the storm in his eyes softened. "Goodnight, Miss Hart."
"Goodnight."
---
By the time she stepped outside, rain had begun to fall again—soft and steady, like the city was sighing. She wrapped her coat tighter and walked toward the bus stop, her mind heavy with questions.
She didn't see the black car parked across the street until the headlights flickered.
The window rolled down. A familiar voice called out,
"Lena?"
She froze.
Ethan.
He looked different—sharper, colder, dressed in an expensive suit that didn't fit the man she used to know.
"What are you doing here?" she asked warily.
"I could ask you the same thing," he said. "Working for Blackwood now? That's… impressive."
She crossed her arms. "How do you know where I work?"
He smiled thinly. "People talk. Especially when the city's most untouchable man suddenly hires his new assistant from a diner."
Her stomach twisted. "You've been following me?"
"Relax," he said smoothly. "I was curious. You disappear for weeks, and suddenly you're part of the billionaire's inner circle."
She shook her head. "You don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't I?" His eyes narrowed. "Be careful, Lena. Adrian Blackwood doesn't do kindness. He does control. And once he has it, he doesn't let go."
His words chilled her, but she forced herself to stay calm. "You lost the right to warn me the day you walked away."
"Maybe," Ethan said, leaning closer. "But some mistakes don't end just because you want them to."
Then he rolled up the window, and the car pulled away into the rain, leaving her standing there—soaked, shaken, and wondering if she'd just heard a warning or a threat.
---
Back in his penthouse, Adrian stood by the window, phone in hand.
His voice was low, dangerous. "You told me Ethan Cruz left town."
"Yes, sir," came Reed's nervous reply. "At least, that's what the report said."
"Well," Adrian said coldly, "update your report."
He hung up and stared out at the rain, his reflection merging with the storm.
"Some ghosts," he murmured, "don't know when to stay buried."