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Chapter 82: Back to the Grind
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2025-08-06 10:45:10
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A Story That Doesn’t Belong To You Chapter 82: Back to the Grind
The hum of the elevator was the only sound as Ryan leaned against the mirrored wall, watching the floor numbers climb steadily. His day with Chris yesterday had helped clear his head, but as he adjusted his tie and smoothed the creases from his shirt, the familiar knot of work stress returned to his stomach. It wasn’t the job it self he liked what he did. It was the constant awareness of Adrien’s presence somewhere in the building, waiting like a shadow in the corner of his mind.When the elevator doors slid open, Ella was already standing in the hallway with a coffee in one hand and a tablet in the other. “You’re two minutes early, she said with a grin. “I think you’re trying to outdo me.Ryan smirked as he stepped out. “If I ever start competing with you on punctuality, check if I’m sick.“Noted,” she said, falling into step with him as they walked toward their shared office. “So, good news first or bad news first?“Bad,” Ryan answered automatically.“We’ve got another client who w
A Story That Doesn’t Belong To You Chapter 81: A Breath of Fresh Air
Ryan hadn’t realized how much tension he’d been carrying until Chris showed up at his door Now they were walking down a sunlit street toward the park, the kind of day that begged for open skies and long walks. Ryan squinted against the brightness, adjusting his sunglasses. “You know,” he said, “kidnapping people isn’t really your style.Chris smirked. “Oh, please. If I hadn’t shown up, you’d still be curled up in your room overthinking everything.”Ryan opened his mouth to argue but closed it again with a small laugh. He hated to admit Chris was right. The past week had been nothing but stress layered over stress. Maybe a break wasn’t such a bad idea.They stopped by a street vendor and bought ice cream cones. Ryan chose vanilla, while Chris predictably went for a double chocolate with sprinkles, because subtlety was never part of Chris’s vocabulary.“Want a bite?” Chris teased, holding his cone toward Ryan.“Pass,” Ryan said, wrinkling his nose. “I know you’d drop half of it on me j
A Story That Doesn’t Belong To You Chapter 80: Unwanted Conversations
Daniel had just stepped out of his car after dropping Ryan off when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He expected it to be a work message, maybe a reminder for his client later, but the name on the screen made him pause mid step.Adrien: We need to talk. Tonight.Daniel’s jaw tightened. The words were blunt, leaving no room for misinterpretation. Adrien wasn’t asking he was summoning him.His first instinct was to ignore it, to pretend he never saw it. But he knew Adrien. If he didn’t respond, Adrien would just show up wherever he pleased.Daniel: Where?The reply came seconds later.Adrien: You know the place.Daniel exhaled slowly. The “place” meant the quiet rooftop bar they’d all been to once before, back when tensions hadn’t been this thick. Now, it felt more like neutral territory before a duel.Meanwhile, Ryan was at home, sitting on the couch with his laptop open but not really working. His head was still pounding faintly from the hangover, and Adrien’s visit earlier replayed in
A Story That Doesn’t Belong To You Chapter 79: The Question he didn’t want to answer
Ryan had managed to bury himself in paperwork all morning, determined to avoid thinking about either Adrien’s call or last night with Daniel. He kept his head down, focusing on the numbers in front of him, until the quiet hum of the office shifted a ripple of hushed voices, chairs scraping, and curious glances toward the door.He didn’t have to look up to know why.“Good morning, Ella, Adrien’s voice carried across the room smooth, familiar, and entirely out of place here.Ryan’s stomach tightened.By the time Adrien reached his desk, the air felt heavier, like everyone else in the room had disappeared. Adrien didn’t smile not his usual charming one, at least. It was something sharper, one corner of his mouth lifted just enough to unsettle.“Funny running into you here, Adrien said, his tone deceptively casual.Ryan set down his pen slowly. “It’s my workplace, Adrien. You’re the one visiting.Adrien leaned slightly against the desk, too close for comfort. “Had a meeting nearby. Thoug
A Story That Doesn’t Belong To You Chapter 78: A morning of Lies
The sharp sting of sunlight pierced through Ryan’s eyelids, dragging him out of a shallow, restless sleep. His head throbbed like someone was hammering from inside his skull, each pulse pounding in rhythm with his heartbeat. His mouth was dry, his stomach unsettled the unmistakable aftermath of too much alcohol.He groaned and turned his head, blinking against the unfamiliar room. It was clean, quiet… and smelled faintly of Daniel’s detergent. The faint memory of last night rushed back in disjointed flashes the drinks, the teasing smiles, the heat of Daniel’s lips on his. The way Ryan had half responded before his weak protests, the way Daniel had stopped himself.His chest tightened. He didn’t know what was worse the kiss itself or the fact that he’d thought about it more than once since waking.The sudden buzz of his phone made him flinch. He reached for it sluggishly, still half buried in the blanket. The name on the screen made his breath hitch. Adrien.Swallowing, Ryan swiped
A Story That Doesn’t Belong To You Chapter 77 : Lines in the Dark
The chill night air bit at Ryan’s cheeks as they stepped out of the lounge, the streetlamps casting soft pools of light on the pavement. Daniel had a steady grip on his arm, keeping him upright as Ryan wavered with each step.“Easy, Daniel murmured, glancing at him with a half smile. “You’re not walking home like this.“I’m fine, Ryan said, though the slight slur in his voice betrayed him. “Just… light headed.Daniel chuckled, steering him toward his car. “You’re more than light headed. Come on. You’ll crash at my place. No arguing.Ryan didn’t protest this time. The alcohol haze made it easy to lean into Daniel’s warmth, the world around them softening into blurred shapes and muted sounds.By the time they reached Daniel’s apartment, Ryan’s eyes were heavy lidded, his head tipping slightly against Daniel’s shoulder. Daniel unlocked the door, guiding him inside with practiced ease.“Sit, Daniel said, motioning toward the couch. Ryan obeyed, sinking into the cushions.Daniel disappeare
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