The office felt quieter than usual, but the tension between Aurora Group and Vale Enterprises was louder than ever — at least for Alina Ross.
She leaned over her desk, reviewing the latest floor plan for the Paris Expo, tapping her pen nervously. Every detail mattered, and yet… she couldn't focus.
Not because of work.
Because of him.
Adrian Vale.
---
The Morning Clash
Alina's phone buzzed — a calendar reminder for the first joint team meeting. She groaned softly.
Sophie appeared, holding two steaming cups of coffee. "Morning, boss. Ready to face your favorite enemy?"
Alina snorted. "You mean the guy who keeps ruining my day with that perfectly calm face?"
Sophie smirked. "Exactly him. Go get 'em."
By the time she walked into the glass-walled meeting room, Adrian was already seated, looking as composed and infuriating as ever.
"Ms. Ross," he said without looking up from his tablet. "Nice of you to join us."
She crossed her arms. "Nice of you to leave the smug grin at home, Mr. Vale."
He glanced up, one eyebrow raised. "You really should learn to compliment people properly."
Sophie hid her chuckle behind her hand. Oh, this is going to be fun.
---
The Silent Push and Pull
The meeting began, papers shuffled, slides presented, and plans debated. Alina found herself caught between arguing with Adrian and secretly appreciating his ideas.
"You can't just rearrange the suites that way," she said firmly, pointing at the digital floor plan.
Adrian leaned back, calm and unshaken. "Actually, it creates better traffic flow and improves guest privacy. You might want to consider it."
Alina bristled. "I have considered it. I just… don't agree."
He smiled faintly, the kind of smile that infuriated and charmed simultaneously. "I see. Then I suppose we'll need a compromise."
Compromise.
The word made her stomach tighten.
---
A Moment Alone
Later, after the meeting, the team dispersed. The assistants went to coordinate logistics, leaving Alina and Adrian in the planning room.
She tried to ignore him, pretending to focus on the layout, but she couldn't help stealing glances.
"You're quiet," Adrian said suddenly, voice calm but cutting through the silence.
"I'm thinking," she replied, voice clipped.
"About?"
"You wouldn't understand."
He raised a brow. "Try me."
She hesitated. Why am I even entertaining this?
"About… the fact that you keep winning," she muttered. "With everyone. Even when I think I can beat you, I… can't."
For the first time, Adrian looked slightly unsettled, as if her words had slipped past the armor he always wore.
"I don't 'win,' Ms. Ross," he said softly. "You just… underestimate the process."
Her heart skipped. He's being calm, reasonable, and… infuriatingly thoughtful.
---
Work or Distraction?
The afternoon blurred with charts, proposals, and budget spreadsheets. Every time their hands brushed while passing documents, Alina's pulse quickened. Every calm remark of his made her question herself: was she really just frustrated, or was it something else?
Sophie's teasing text pinged discreetly:
> Careful, boss. You're blushing.
Alina glared at her phone. Shut up.
> You know I'm right, Sophie replied.
She groaned, tossing her pen onto the desk. This was ridiculous. She had spent years hating Adrian Vale — and now, one dinner, one collaboration, and she couldn't stop noticing him.
---
The Unexpected Compliment
As the day wound down, Adrian leaned over the table, inspecting her notes.
"Your presentation is strong," he said quietly. "I mean… impressive. The team would be lucky to follow it."
Alina froze. He actually said it.
"You're not just flattering me, are you?" she asked suspiciously.
He gave a faint, almost imperceptible shrug. "Depends on how you define flattering."
Her chest tightened. Why does that feel… electric?
---
A Quiet Realization
By the time she left the office, her mind was a whirlwind. She felt strangely restless, replaying every interaction.
His calm smile.
The subtle teasing.
The brush of his hand on the papers.
The compliment she didn't expect.
Even the rivalry, the banter, the constant push-and-pull… she realized she missed it when she wasn't around him.
Walking to her car, she whispered to herself, half-frustrated, half-curious:
I hate that I even notice him.
And somewhere deep down, she knew — for the first time in years — that the rivalry wasn't enough. She wanted more.
---