Chapter 7: “Silence”

Adrian’s POV

I glanced at my watch and only then did I realize how late I had stayed up.

I stepped out of the study and was met with silence. The kind that didn’t just sit in a room, it was suffocating.

Ever since that morning, she had been avoiding me.

Not in an obvious way, Amber was smarter than that.

She still did her job, perfectly to the core. Every file in place, every schedule updated, every task executed without a single complaint.

But she wouldn’t speak to me, not unless it was necessary.

No small talk, no warmth. I didn’t know why that bothered me.

I walked past the dining area and paused, dinner was neatly placed on the table, covered. More like she knew I would take forever to come out. I exhaled slowly, pulling the chair back.

I didn’t know why I lashed out that way or maybe I did.

I hated being seen like that, vulnerable and weak.

And she saw it, worse, she stayed.

Which meant she was also the reason I had slept peacefully for the first time in years.

That didn’t sit right with me, nothing about her did.

What was so different about her that my entire body calmed at her touch?

I couldn’t allow that, I had built my walls for a reason.

Maybe I went too far, calling her that and comparing her to those women but wasn’t she overreacting?

I scoffed under my breath, women always did.

I lifted the cover, and the aroma hit me instantly, homely and comforting.

I ate in silence, the taste lingering longer than it should.

By the time I was done, I was heading back to my room when I heard it.

Her laughter. It was soft and real, I stopped.

It wasn’t the polite tone she used with me, this was different. The kind I heard when she conversed with Richard. Somehow, I was the only person she hadn’t shown this side of her.

She was on the phone.

“…stop it,” she said between laughter. “You’re so annoying.”

Whoever was on the other end, she liked them, a lot.

That explains the free speech and warm laughter.

My jaw tightened, I wasn’t pleased with that and I wondered who she was conversing with.

Before I could think, I turned the corner.

She was standing by the window, phone pressed to her ear, smiling.

I cleared my throat, her expression changed almost immediately.

She straightened, the smile disappeared and the warmth vanished.

“Sir,” she said, ending the call almost immediately.

“There’s a charity event tonight,” I said, keeping my tone neutral. “You’ll be accompanying me.”

“Noted.”

That was it, no questions, no reaction.

I frowned slightly. “Prepare everything.”

“I already have.”

Of course she did.

Silence stretched between us, I thought she was a chatterbox so what changed?

“Amber?”

“Yes, sir?” she cut in, professional, distant.

I paused, that wasn’t what I wanted.

“I….” I stopped myself.

What exactly was I going to say?

Sorry? The word didn’t sit well with me. I can’t remember the last time I said it either.

“…make sure you’re ready on time,” I finished instead.

Her expression didn’t change.

“I always am.”

And just like that, she walked past me.

Amber’s POV

It wasn’t until I heard him that I realized he was there and I wondered how long he stood there for. I hoped he didn’t know I was conversing with Richard.

Not that I was selling off company’s secret or anything, I just felt obligated not to let him know I was laughing to his rivals joke.

“Sir” I said, hoping he wouldn’t notice the tension in my voice.

“There’s a charity event tonight. You will be accompanying me.” He said.

“Noted.” I kept my tone even, not daring to match his stare. I don’t want to look like an opportunity grabber. I wondered what made him see me that way, I was embarrassed that I keep reliving that moment every time.

“Amber”

For a second, my heart betrayed me, I almost looked at him. There’s just something about the way he says my name and what it does to me.

“Yes, sir?”

I noticed him hesitate, he was holding back from whatever he wanted to say.

“Make sure you are ready on time,” he said.

Why did I think he was about to say something else?

“I always am,” I said before walking away.

****

Hours later, I stood in front of the mirror.

The dress hugged my body perfectly, elegant and simple but it exuded a different aura.

Glad I wasn’t too stubborn to refuse his kind gesture when he wanted to get me clothes. I found a royal blue gown with a slit by the side and paired it with silver jewelries with a silver heel too.

I barely recognized myself, for a moment, I just stared. I never dressed up this way not even for a date with that scumbag.

Still basking in my appearance, I heard him tell the driver to start the car and that was my reality check. This was a business dinner and not some romantic date, then I fixed my expression.

It was work, nothing more.

Adrian’s POV

I was speaking to the driver when I heard the soft click of heels coming down the stairs.

I turned and for a second, everything stopped.

She stood at the top of the stairs, the dress flowing effortlessly over her body, every step graceful.

Beautiful wasn’t enough to describe her.

She was...

I clenched my jaw slightly, get a grip.

I watched her l walk towards me, calm and composed.

Like she didn’t just alter my thinking.

“Ready, sir?” she asked.

I stepped closer, my eyes scanning her before I could stop myself.

“You look…” I paused, “Appropriate.”

Her lips twitched slightly, was that amusement?

“I’m glad I meet your standards.”

I exhaled slowly. “Let’s go.”

***

The ride was quiet, the tension between us was heavy and I didn’t like it.

By the time we arrived, the venue was already buzzing with elites, flashing lights, and quiet conversations.

I stepped out first, then turned to her. For a moment, I just looked at her, I stared.

She didn’t belong in my world and yet she fit too perfectly into it.

I offered my arm, she hesitated then she took it.

But as we walked in together, I couldn’t shake the feeling creeping in my chest.

Something was about to change.

And for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t sure I was in control of it.