The office had been buzzing ever since Adrian's quiet heroics — fixing the coffee machine, catching Elena on the staircase, and calmly handling tasks that others bungled. Most colleagues admired him, but Victor Han, Elena's competitive coworker, saw only a threat.
Victor leaned against the filing cabinet, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "So, Miss Li's assistant is the office's miracle worker. Tell me, Chen, do you plan to replace the rest of us too?"
Adrian looked up from his papers, his expression cool but his words sharper than usual. "Replace you? No. But if you keep handing me your mistakes, I might start charging a fee."
The room erupted in laughter. Elena blinked, startled — Adrian rarely teased anyone so openly.
Victor's smirk stiffened. He shoved a chaotic spreadsheet across the desk. "Fine. Let's see if you can clean this disaster up."
Adrian scanned the sheet, lips curving faintly. "This isn't a disaster. It's just untidy math." His fingers flew across the keyboard, and within minutes, the mess transformed into a polished report. He slid it back with a casual shrug. "There. Try not to lose it again."
Victor's jaw tightened. "That was… quick."
Elena bit her lip, fighting a smile. He's not just capable… he's confident too.
Marcus Wu, watching from the doorway, nearly toppled over. He clutched his notebook like a shield. Why does he keep talking like a professor with a sense of humor? He's supposed to blend in, not roast Victor in front of everyone. If they suspect, I'll be ruined.
He scribbled frantically in the margins: Note to self — buy stress pills, maybe a helmet.
Victor wasn't ready to concede. At lunch, he stacked a pile of heavy files and smirked. "Let's see if you can carry these across the office without dropping them."
Adrian balanced the stack effortlessly, walking steadily. Halfway across, he paused to hold the door open for Elena, his tone light. "After you. I wouldn't want you tripping again."
Elena flushed, remembering the staircase incident. She stepped through, murmuring, "Thank you."
The colleagues burst into laughter. "Victor, you're losing to an assistant!"
Victor's face turned crimson. Elena couldn't help but smile. He's not just capable… he notices everything.
Later, Elena found Adrian at his desk. She leaned against the divider, teasing. "You know, you embarrassed Victor twice today."
Adrian tilted his head, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Embarrassed? I thought I was just being helpful. If he insists on challenging me, I'll keep playing along."
She smirked. "Most assistants don't play along with rivals."
He leaned back slightly, voice softer. "Most assistants don't have a reason to stay close."
Elena's breath caught. She laughed quickly, brushing it off. "Unusual, as always."
By evening, Elena packed her things. As she walked outside, she thought about the day — Victor's failed challenges, Adrian's sharp wit, and the way he had opened the door for her without hesitation.
A familiar car slowed beside her. The window rolled down, and Adrian's voice carried a hint of humor. "Miss Li. Shall I add chauffeur to my résumé too?"
She smiled faintly, teasing. "Careful. If you keep winning every challenge, Victor might quit."
He chuckled. "Then I'll have one less person trying to trip you."
She hesitated, then slid into the car. The ride was calm, the silence comfortable. Elena glanced at him, her voice soft. "You know, you're making it hard for me to believe you're just an assistant."
Adrian's reply was different this time — not evasive, but playful. "Then believe I'm whatever makes you smile."
Her lips curved into a small smile. Comfortable, yes. But curious too.
Meanwhile, Marcus sat at his desk long after everyone had gone, muttering to himself. "He's roasting rivals, carrying files like Hercules, and flirting in cars. I'll need a vacation… or a miracle."
He scribbled another note: Buy earplugs. The gossip is louder than my heartbeat.