By the end of the week, Elena Li's knee had healed. She walked into the office without her limp, smiling at the freedom of movement. Adrian Chen, disguised as her assistant, noticed immediately.
"You're walking fine now," he said lightly, carrying her files. "That means it's time for something new."
Elena tilted her head. "Something new?"
Adrian grinned. "A picnic. Group work. The company colleagues need bonding, don't they? I've already asked Marcus to prepare everything."
In his office, Marcus Wu nearly fainted when Adrian gave the order. "Sir, a picnic? You want me to arrange food, games, transport, and keep your identity hidden at the same time? This is madness."
Adrian leaned back, smiling faintly. "Do it carefully. If Elena suspects anything, you're finished."
Marcus groaned. "I'll die of a heart attack before this charade ends."
The next morning, buses carried employees to a green park outside the city. The air smelled of fresh grass, and laughter echoed as colleagues spread mats and unpacked food. Elena looked around, surprised. "I didn't know interns were included in these events."
Adrian handed her a basket. "Everyone's included. Here — sandwiches, fruit, juice. I made sure you got the best."
She blinked. "You packed this?"
He smiled modestly. "Assistants should be thorough."
The picnic quickly turned lively. Teams played tug‑of‑war, frisbee, and relay races. Adrian hovered near Elena, carrying her bag, fetching drinks, and even holding an umbrella when the sun grew too strong.
"You're spoiling me again," she teased.
He shrugged. "That's my role."
During a game of charades, Elena laughed so hard she nearly fell over. Adrian caught her arm, steadying her. Their eyes met briefly, and for a moment the noise around them faded. She flushed, pulling away. "Thanks."
Adrian smiled faintly. "Careful. You're still healing."
Meanwhile, Marcus ran around frantically, making sure everything stayed smooth. He whispered to Adrian when Elena wasn't looking. "Sir, you're too obvious. You fetch her drinks, carry her bag, hold umbrellas. People will think you're courting her."
Adrian smirked. "Let them think. It's safer than them knowing the truth."
Marcus muttered, "Safer for you, maybe. For me, it's a death sentence."
At lunch, Elena sat under a tree, enjoying the breeze. Adrian placed a plate before her. "Vegetable rolls, fruit salad, and juice. You like green tea, but they didn't bring any, so I found the closest thing — herbal tea."
She laughed softly. "You really remember everything."
He shrugged. "It's my job."
Later, the group played a team‑building game: building a tower with sticks and ropes. Elena struggled with the knots, frowning. Adrian knelt beside her, guiding her hands. "Loop it this way. Pull tighter."
Their fingers brushed, and she glanced at him, her cheeks warming. "You're good at this."
He smiled faintly. "I've tied a few knots before."
As the sun set, colleagues packed up. Elena stretched, smiling. "This was fun. I didn't expect a picnic to feel so refreshing."
Adrian carried her bag to the bus. "Sometimes work needs laughter too."
She looked at him, her heart softening. "You're strange… but maybe not so bad."
Later, the group gathered for a creative activity: sculpting with clay. Everyone sat in circles, shaping little figures and laughing at the results. Elena joined in, her hands quickly covered in clay. She pushed her hair back absent‑mindedly, leaving streaks across her cheek and tangles in her hair.
Adrian noticed, amused. "You're making art on yourself too."
She groaned. "My hands are dirty. I can't fix my hair."
Without hesitation, Adrian knelt beside her. With clean hands, he gently brushed her hair back, tucking the messy strands behind her ear. His touch was careful, respectful, but warm.
Elena froze, her cheeks warming. "You didn't have to…"
Adrian smiled softly. "Assistants fix everything. Even clay disasters."
She laughed, embarrassed but touched. "You're ridiculous."
Marcus, watching from a distance, nearly fainted again. He's fixing her hair in front of everyone! If she realizes he's the CEO, I'm finished.
At lunch, Elena sat under a tree, enjoying the breeze. Adrian placed a plate before her. "Vegetable rolls, fruit salad, and juice. You like green tea, but they didn't bring any, so I found the closest thing — herbal tea."
She laughed softly. "You really remember everything."
He shrugged. "It's my job."
As the sun set, colleagues packed up. Elena stretched, smiling. "This was fun. I didn't expect a picnic to feel so refreshing."
Adrian carried her bag to the bus. "Sometimes work needs laughter too."
She looked at him, her heart softening. "You're strange… but maybe not so bad."
Marcus watched from a distance, clutching his chest dramatically. "If she ever finds out he's the CEO, I'm finished. But… maybe she's starting to like him. Heaven help me."