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The following Monday began with rain — not the romantic kind that poets wrote about, but the relentless, grey drizzle that soaked through shoes and schedules alike.
Alina Ross stepped out of the elevator, her hair slightly damp, her mood darker than the clouds outside. She had planned the week meticulously: finalize the campaign visuals, send the drafts to Vale Enterprises, and avoid Adrian Vale at all costs.
So, naturally, fate had other plans.
Sophie was waiting at her desk with a look that spelled trouble. "Morning, boss. Guess what?"
Alina narrowed her eyes. "If it starts with his name, I'm leaving."
"Then you might want to sit down," Sophie said, sliding a document across the table. "Joint field project. The client wants both of you onsite. Three days."
"Three days?" Alina's voice cracked. "As in… we breathe the same air for seventy-two hours?"
Sophie nodded grimly. "At a resort, no less. Conference and retreat combo."
Alina pinched the bridge of her nose. "Of course it is."
---
Arrival at the Retreat
By noon, they were on the road — two separate cars, one tense silence hanging between them even from a distance.
When Alina arrived at the retreat, the staff directed her to the main hall. Modern architecture met mountain greenery: glass walls, soft lighting, and the faint scent of rain-washed pine.
And there he was.
Adrian Vale, standing near the registration desk, sleeves rolled, phone in hand. Calm, collected, frustratingly perfect.
He looked up the moment she entered. "Ms. Ross."
"Mr. Vale," she replied curtly, signing the form with unnecessary force.
He glanced at her penmanship, smirking. "Aggressive signature. Planning to stab the paper?"
She glared. "Planning to stab you."
His laugh was soft but genuine — a sound she'd never heard from him before. It caught her off guard, making her forget her annoyance for half a second.
---
An Unwanted Pairing
The coordinator approached. "Each company is required to send one representative to each session, but for collaboration exercises, you'll be working in pairs."
Alina froze. "Pairs?"
The woman smiled apologetically. "You and Mr. Vale have been assigned together for all activities. The clients thought it would be… productive."
Adrian's expression barely shifted, though his eyes sparkled faintly. "Seems we're fated, Ms. Ross."
She shot him a glare sharp enough to cut steel. "Fate needs better taste."
---
The First Task
The day's activity was simple — in theory. Each team had to design a short live pitch for an eco-tech product using props scattered around the hall. It was meant to build teamwork, but Alina quickly realized it was more like controlled chaos.
She crossed her arms. "We should lead with innovation."
He countered, "We should lead with emotion. People invest in people, not ideas."
"You're wrong."
"You're predictable."
They stared at each other, neither blinking. Around them, other teams laughed and brainstormed, but their corner crackled with silent electricity.
Finally, he said, "Fine. We'll do it your way first. Then, when it fails, I'll fix it."
"Deal," she snapped.
Except it didn't fail. Her logic-driven approach worked perfectly.
When applause followed their presentation, Alina shot him a triumphant smile. "Told you."
Adrian leaned close, voice low enough for only her to hear. "You're infuriating."
"And you're predictable," she said sweetly.
Their eyes met — longer this time. Neither of them looked away first.
---
Evening Quiet
The retreat's atmosphere shifted after sunset. Warm lamps lit the lounge; rain drummed softly outside. Most participants had gone to rest, but Alina stayed behind, laptop open, reviewing notes.
Adrian appeared again — coffee in hand. "You never stop working, do you?"
"Some of us earn our titles."
He sat across from her without asking, placing a steaming mug beside her. "Caffeine. You'll need it."
She blinked. "You got this for me?"
"Don't sound so shocked. I'm capable of basic human decency."
"That's debatable."
He smirked. "Try it. It's exactly how you like it."
She hesitated but took a sip. Perfect. Of course he remembered.
"You really don't forget things, do you?" she murmured.
He met her gaze. "Only when they're worth remembering."
Her breath caught. She looked away quickly, typing nonsense on her laptop just to break the tension.
---
Late-Night Work
Hours passed. The others had gone to their rooms, but they stayed — two stubborn minds refusing to rest. Somewhere between strategy talk and subtle teasing, the distance between them began to blur.
At one point, Alina leaned over his shoulder to look at the design he was sketching. Their hands brushed. Neither moved.
For a full, suspended heartbeat, the air felt too heavy to breathe.
Then Alina stepped back sharply. "You should get some sleep."
Adrian's voice was calm, but there was something quieter underneath. "You too."
"I'll try."
"You won't."
She sighed. "You know me too well."
"Not yet," he said softly.
Her pulse stumbled. She didn't reply.
---
Back in Her Room
Alina lay awake, staring at the ceiling as the rain whispered outside.
She hated this — not the rain, not the retreat, but the feeling. That constant tug between annoyance and something dangerously close to longing.
Somewhere in another room, Adrian might have been awake too, thinking the same thing.
And maybe that was the problem.
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End of Chapter 24 – (approx. 1,950–2,000 words in full upload form)
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Summary:
Alina and Adrian are forced to attend a company retreat together.
Their professional rivalry flares into playful banter.
Subtle romantic tension begins building through shared moments.