Adrian still hadn't settled.
Even after the meeting.
Even after locking himself in his office.
Something about his body felt… off.
Not pain.
Not illness.
Just a strange restlessness sitting under his skin, like something unfinished.
He adjusted his cuff slightly, exhaling under his breath as he tried to refocus on the document in front of him.
It didn't work.
His attention kept slipping.
Not to anything specific.
Just...
That feeling.
A knock came.
Soft.
Familiar.
"Adrian?"
He didn't look up immediately.
"Come in."
The door opened gently.
Elena stepped in, sunlight catching lightly against her hair as she closed the door behind her.
She looked… calm.
Too calm.
A small lunch box rested in her hands.
"I figured you skipped breakfast," she said lightly, walking toward him. "So I brought you something."
Adrian finally looked up.
His expression didn't change much.
Just a slight narrowing of his eyes, like he was adjusting to her presence.
"You didn't have to."
"I wanted to."
She set the lunch box on his desk, her movements smooth, practiced.
But her eyes...
They moved quickly.
Taking in everything.
Him.
The room.
The untouched state of things.
No sign of anyone.
No sign of… anything.
Good.
But also...
Strange.
"You left early yesterday," she said casually, opening the box. "You didn't even say goodbye."
"I was tired."
"That's rare for you."
"Long day."
Her fingers paused briefly.
Then continued.
"And after that?" she asked, softer this time.
Adrian leaned back slightly in his chair.
"After what?"
Elena's gaze lifted to his face.
Searching.
Careful.
"After you left," she clarified.
A small pause.
Then...
"I went to my room," he said simply.
No hesitation.
No detail.
Because there was none.
Her heart eased.
Just a little.
"And?" she pressed, like it didn't matter.
He frowned slightly.
"…and I slept."
That was it.
No confusion.
No memory.
No mention of anyone.
Elena's shoulders relaxed, just enough to be noticeable if someone was looking closely.
But Adrian wasn't.
"Good," she said, smiling faintly. "You looked exhausted."
He didn't respond.
His attention had shifted again.
Not to her.
To something else.
That scent.
It was faint.
Barely there.
But familiar.
And that was the problem.
His brows pulled together slightly as he inhaled without thinking.
Elena noticed.
"What is it?" she asked.
He shook his head lightly.
"Nothing."
But it wasn't nothing.
He shifted in his seat, adjusting his sleeve again, like the fabric suddenly felt uncomfortable against his skin.
Elena watched him.
Closely now.
"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked, stepping a little closer.
"I said I'm fine."
But his voice was tighter than usual.
She frowned slightly, studying him.
This wasn't part of the plan.
He was supposed to wake up...
Confused.
Angry.
Embarrassed.
Something.
Not like this.
Too composed.
Too… unaffected.
Unless...
Her thoughts paused.
No.
That didn't make sense.
"You should eat," she said, nudging the lunch box toward him again.
"I will."
He didn't touch it.
Another silence settled.
Uneven.
Elena glanced around the office once more.
Still nothing.
No trace.
Her fingers curled slightly at her side.
Where did it go wrong?
"You have a meeting later?" she asked.
"Yes."
"With who?"
"The finance team."
Her gaze flickered briefly.
Then she smiled again.
Soft.
Easy.
Like nothing had ever happened.
"Don't overwork yourself," she said. "You're not as invincible as you think."
He didn't respond to that.
She turned toward the door.
But just before leaving...
She paused.
"…Adrian."
He looked up.
"If something had happened last night," she said lightly, "you'd tell me, right?"
A strange question.
But her tone made it sound like a joke.
He frowned slightly.
"Why wouldn't I?"
She smiled.
"There you go."
And just like that...
She left.
The door closed softly behind her.
Adrian sat there for a moment.
Still.
Then slowly...
He lifted his sleeve again.
And inhaled.
There it was.
Faint.
Sweet.
Lingering.
His expression shifted.
Not suspicion.
Not yet.
Just...
Curiosity.
"…strange."