It was Monday morning. The hum of Wolfe & Co. carried a different rhythm—faster footsteps, sharper chatter, and eyes that darted curiously. Talia had arrived early, her crisp uniform neat, her hands steady as she laid out Adrian's breakfast in his office. She wanted no slip, no excuse for him to think less of her.
When Adrian finally entered, his stride was calmer, less rigid than usual. Instead of the icy glare and silence that employees were used to, he surprised everyone with a faint smile and a polite "Good morning." Gasps and exchanged glances followed him through the hallway. Wolfe being soft? It was unthinkable.
Inside his office, the air smelled of fresh coffee and buttered croissants. Talia was bent slightly over his desk, arranging the tray. Adrian leaned on the doorframe for a heartbeat, just watching her, before stepping in.
He cleared his throat loudly, shifting back into his "boss act."
"Miss Brooks," he said with mock authority, straightening his tie. "Do you plan to redecorate my office or do you have actual work to do?"
Talia jumped a little, then stifled a laugh at his teasing tone. "Your breakfast is ready, sir," she replied softly.
Adrian walked around the desk, pretending to inspect the meal with exaggerated seriousness, then suddenly turned toward her.
"Come here," he ordered, his voice lower now—less boss, more man.
She hesitated, blinking at him. "Sir?"
"I said come closer."
Her feet obeyed before her mind caught up. When she was near enough, he reached out in one swift motion, pulling her against him and pinning her gently against the edge of the desk. Her breath caught as his face lowered, his lips brushing hers with hungry insistence.
"Talia," he murmured against her mouth, the restraint in his voice cracking, "I can't wait any longer. I can't wait to finally feel what it's like to have you."
Her eyes widened, her pulse racing, caught between shock, fear, and the shiver of desire.
Adrian's lips pressed against Talia's, firm and hungry, as though he had been holding back for years. Her hands trembled against his chest, torn between resisting and melting into him. The room was silent, filled only with the sound of her sharp breaths and the thud of Adrian's heartbeat against her ear.
And then—the door creaked open.
Alex stepped in without knocking, holding a file in his hand. His eyes widened as the scene unfolded before him—the mighty Adrian Wolfe, locked in a kiss with the maid. For a moment, shock froze him in place.
Talia gasped, instantly pulling back, her cheeks flaming. She fumbled, stepping away as if caught in a forbidden act. Adrian, however, didn't flinch. His jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing at the intrusion.
"Alex." His voice was like a whip, low and dangerous. "What the hell do you think you're doing walking into my office without knocking?"
Alex stammered, clutching the file like a shield. "I—I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to…" His eyes flickered toward Talia, then back to Adrian, guilt and something darker stirring in his gaze.
Adrian stepped forward, towering over him. "Next time, you knock. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir," Alex muttered, backing away, though his stare lingered briefly on Talia—an unspoken resentment burning there.
When the door closed again, Adrian exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. He turned back to Talia, who looked shaken and embarrassed, fiddling nervously with the edge of her apron.
"Don't mind him," Adrian said, softer now, his hand reaching for her again. "He's nothing. You're mine."
But even as he reassured her, a storm brewed in his chest. He knew Alex's type. Jealous. Hungry. Dangerous.
And Cassandra. She would be expecting him soon. Adrian adjusted his tie in the mirror, his reflection steely. If Alex wanted to meddle and Cassandra wanted answers, he had to be ready. The battlefield wasn't just in the boardroom anymore—it was in his personal life, and Talia was at the center of it.
When the door closed again, Adrian exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. He turned back to Talia, who looked shaken and embarrassed, fiddling nervously with the edge of her apron.
She whispered, her voice soft, "What else should you be needing, sir?"
Adrian tilted his head, his lips curling into a rare, playful smile. "You."
Talia's eyes widened in surprise before they both burst into laughter, the tension dissolving into something lighter, sweeter.
"Stop calling me sir," he told her gently, cupping her cheek. "I don't want to hear it again. Soon, I won't see you in this uniform. I'll see you in a bigger position here at Wolfe & Co. That's where you belong."
Her lips trembled as tears welled in her eyes. But Adrian wasn't finished. He picked up the phone and dialed the logistics department.
"Send a month's worth of groceries to this address," he instructed, handing them a slip of paper with Talia's parents' location. Then he called the accounts unit. "Transfer a support fund to this same household. Immediately."
Talia froze, covering her mouth with her hand. Tears streamed down her face as the weight of his kindness hit her. "Why would you do that for me?" she whispered, her voice breaking.
Adrian pulled her into his arms, his voice low and steady against her ear. "Because I can't stand to see you or your family suffer. Not while I'm here. You'll never struggle like that again, Talia. I promise you."
Pressed against his chest, Talia sobbed silently, clinging to him as if he was her anchor. And in that moment, Adrian knew he wasn't just giving charity—he was giving a part of himself, a piece of his guarded heart, to the woman fate had pushed into his life.