Chapter 20 – Lines Begin to Blur
For the next few days, Auri made distancing herself a full-time mission.
She timed her exits so she would never cross paths with Dante.
She took staircases instead of elevators.
She volunteered for field tasks just to avoid staying in the building.
She even refused Adrian's casual invitations outside work.
She had never been so exhausted from running in her entire life.
But fate—
or maybe Dante—
refused to let her breathe.
The Shift in the Office
Everyone in Sterling's buzzed with new gossip:
the way Dante had dragged her out, the fight, the tension, the possessive "She is mine" echoing in the hallway.
Her coworkers kept stealing glances.
Whispering when they thought she couldn't hear.
Watching her like she was the main character in a drama unfolding right under their nose.
Auri wanted to sink into the floor.
Even Adrian, normally calm and controlled, had become strangely protective.
He walked beside her in hallways.
Stood closer during meetings.
Gave Dante long, assessing looks whenever the man's name came up.
Auri pretended not to notice.
She pretended everything was fine.
It wasn't.
A Lunch She Didn't Agree To
"Auri," Adrian called from his office door, "join me for lunch. I insist."
It wasn't a question.
Her coworkers gasped—some jealous, some thrilled, all nosy.
She forced a smile. "Sure, sir."
Adrian smiled, softer than usual. "Adrian. When it's just us."
They left the building together. People whispered as they passed. Someone even muttered:
"Wow… she's caught the CEO."
Auri wanted to disappear.
Adrian's Confession
They ate at a quiet rooftop restaurant.
Warm breeze.
Soft jazz music.
A view overlooking the city.
It should've been peaceful.
But Auri could feel Adrian watching her.
"You've been distant," he finally said.
She froze.
"It's just work," she said. "Adjustments."
Adrian tilted his head. "Is it because of what happened with that man? Dante?"
She swallowed.
"Auri… if someone is bothering you, I need to know."
"No one is bothering me," she lied.
Adrian leaned forward, expression serious.
"You're my secretary. You represent me. If someone touches you without your consent, I consider that an insult to my authority."
There it was—his famous CEO edge.
"Adrian—"
"Auri," he cut in quietly. "You deserve to be respected. Protected."
His eyes softened.
"And I care about you… more than I should."
Her breath caught.
She looked down at her hands, unsure what to say.
Adrian liking her?
It complicated everything even more.
But before she could respond—
A sudden shift in the air.
A shadow fell over their table.
Auri's heart lurched.
Dante Arrives
He stood there in a fitted black suit, wind brushing through his hair, eyes dark and unreadable.
He didn't look furious.
He looked determined.
Like he came here for one purpose.
"Dante?" Adrian said, surprised. "What are you—"
Dante didn't answer him.
His gaze never left Auri.
She felt pinned to her seat.
"Lunch meeting?" Dante asked, voice too calm. "How… unexpected."
Adrian's posture straightened. "This is private."
"Is it?" Dante stepped closer. "Because it looks like Auri doesn't want to be here."
Auri choked on air. "Dante, stop—"
Adrian's jaw tightened. "You don't get to speak for her."
"And you don't know her," Dante fired back.
Tension snapped between them like electricity.
Auri stood quickly. "Enough. Both of you."
This couldn't happen.
Not here.
Not in front of an entire rooftop.
But Dante's eyes softened when they met hers.
"You keep avoiding me," he whispered.
"And you keep chasing me," she shot back.
"Because you don't run from things you don't feel," he said quietly. "And you know it."
Her heart stuttered painfully.
Adrian stepped between them, shielding her slightly.
"Auri," he said gently, "you don't have to deal with him. Come with me. I'll take you back."
Dante's jaw tightened with jealousy.
"Auri will decide," he growled.
Both men stared at her, waiting.
Her pulse pounded in her ears.
She didn't want either of them right now.
She didn't want drama.
She just wanted peace.
"I'm going back to work," she said simply.
She walked away.
Both men followed her with their eyes—
one looking proud and impressed,
the other looking like he was breaking.
When she reached the elevator in the building, her phone vibrated.
A new message.
DANTE:
We're not done. I'm not letting you disappear again.
Auri shut her eyes, leaning against the cold elevator wall.
She didn't know what scared her more—
Dante's persistence…
or how part of her wanted to stop running.