CHAPTER 7: The Other Woman

Sophia Chen moved into the conference room like she owned it, her heels clicking against the polished floor with confident precision. Everything about her screamed expensive, from her perfectly styled black hair to her designer suit that probably cost more than Emma made in three months at her old jobs.

But it was the way she looked at Adrian that made Emma's chest tight with something she didn't want to name.

Possessive, Emma realized. She looks at him like he belongs to her.

"Sophia," Adrian said again, and Emma caught the carefully controlled tone in his voice. "What brings you by?"

"Do I need a reason to visit?" Sophia's smile was dazzling as she walked directly to Adrian, ignoring Emma completely. "Though I did hear through the grapevine that you had some interesting developments today. New staff, new... arrangements."

New arrangements. Emma felt her cheeks burn. Did everyone in the building already know she was living with Adrian?

"Word travels fast," Adrian said carefully.

"It always does when it involves you," Sophia said, her eyes flicking meaningfully toward Emma. "I thought it might be wise to discuss how these changes might affect our upcoming projects. The Northwest expansion, specifically."

Northwest division. Emma remembered Adrian mentioning that expansion during the Morrison meeting.

"Of course," Adrian said smoothly. "Emma, this is Sophia Chen, our Northwest Regional Director. Sophia, this is Emma Parker, my personal assistant."

Sophia finally turned to acknowledge Emma's existence, and her smile became razor-sharp. "Personal assistant? How... interesting."

The way she said 'personal,' Emma thought, feeling heat rise in her cheeks. Like she knows exactly what kind of personal assistance I might be providing.

"Nice to meet you," Emma said, extending her hand.

Sophia's handshake was firm and lasted exactly one second longer than polite. "I'm sure it is. Adrian has such... unique taste in employees."

Unique taste. Emma felt like she'd been slapped.

"Emma comes highly recommended," Adrian said, and there was a warning edge to his voice.

"I'm sure she does," Sophia purred, her dark eyes assessing Emma from head to toe. "Though I have to say, Adrian, she seems a bit... young for such an important position."

Young. Emma bristled. She was twenty-three, hardly a child. But next to Sophia's polished sophistication, Emma suddenly felt like she was playing dress-up in clothes that didn't belong to her.

"Experience isn't always measured in years," Adrian replied coolly.

"No," Sophia agreed, moving closer to Adrian. "Sometimes it's about understanding. About knowing what someone needs before they even ask for it."

The way she said it, while looking directly into Adrian's eyes, made Emma's stomach clench with jealousy.

They have a history, Emma realized. A significant history.

"The Northwest reports," Adrian said, stepping slightly away from Sophia. "I thought those weren't due until next week."

"They're not," Sophia said with a smile that somehow managed to be both innocent and predatory. "But I wanted to discuss some... concerns I have about the expansion timeline."

Concerns that couldn't wait until next week? Emma thought skeptically.

"Perhaps we should schedule a proper meeting," Adrian suggested. "When we have more time to go over the details thoroughly."

"Oh, I don't mind waiting," Sophia said, settling into one of the conference room chairs like she had all the time in the world. "I'm sure whatever Emma was helping you with can wait."

Whatever Emma was helping you with. The dismissal was subtle but unmistakable.

Emma felt her temper flare. She'd been dismissed by enough rich, entitled people in her various jobs to recognize the behavior. But this felt different. More personal.

She sees me as a threat, Emma realized with surprise. She's worried about me.

The thought was both flattering and terrifying.

"Actually," Emma said, finding her voice, "Mr. Cross and I were in the middle of reviewing some important contract details. Perhaps we could reschedule?"

Sophia's perfectly manicured eyebrows rose slightly. "Contract details? How... administrative."

Administrative. Like Emma was just a secretary filing paperwork.

"All details are important in business," Emma replied evenly. "I'm sure you understand that, given your position."

Did I just sass the Northwest Regional Director? Emma thought, panic mixing with pride. I definitely just sassed her.

Sophia's smile became genuinely amused. "Of course. Though I have to say, most personal assistants wouldn't presume to speak for their employers."

Most personal assistants. The emphasis was clear, Emma wasn't like most personal assistants, and Sophia wanted to know why.

"Emma," Adrian said quietly, "could you give Sophia and me a few minutes to discuss the Northwest situation? Perhaps you could check with Jessica about my afternoon schedule."

Emma felt like she'd been punched in the stomach. He's dismissing me. He's choosing to be alone with her.

"Of course," Emma managed, trying to keep her voice professional. "I'll be outside if you need anything."

She walked out of the conference room with as much dignity as she could muster, but inside she was falling apart.

What did I expect? Emma thought desperately. That he'd choose me over a successful, beautiful woman who actually belongs in his world?

Jessica looked up from her desk as Emma approached, and her expression was sympathetic.

"Sophia Chen?" Jessica asked quietly.

"Is it that obvious?" Emma slumped into the chair across from Jessica's desk.

"She has that effect on people," Jessica said diplomatically. "Very... commanding presence."

Commanding. That was one way to put it.

"How long have they known each other?" Emma asked, then immediately felt embarrassed. "Sorry, that's not my business."

"It's natural to be curious," Jessica said kindly. "They've worked together for about three years. Sophia joined the company right after she finished her MBA at Harvard."

Harvard MBA. Of course.

"She's very good at her job," Jessica continued. "The Northwest division has been incredibly profitable under her leadership."

Beautiful, educated, successful. Emma felt smaller by the minute.

"Have they ever..." Emma started, then stopped. She couldn't ask. It was too personal, too pathetic.

But Jessica seemed to understand anyway. "There have been rumors," she said carefully. "Nothing confirmed. But Sophia has always been... proprietary about Adrian."

Proprietary. Emma's heart sank.

Through the glass walls of the conference room, Emma could see Sophia leaning across the table toward Adrian, her body language intimate and familiar. Adrian was listening intently, occasionally nodding or asking questions.

They look good together, Emma realized miserably. They look like they belong together.

"Emma?" Jessica's voice was gentle. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Emma lied. "Just adjusting to everything."

Adjusting to the reality that I'm completely out of my league.

The conference room door opened, and Sophia emerged looking satisfied. She walked toward Jessica's desk, ignoring Emma completely.

"Jessica, could you schedule a dinner meeting for Adrian and me next week? Somewhere private where we can discuss the expansion plans in detail."

Somewhere private. Emma's stomach clenched.

"Of course," Jessica said professionally. "Any preferences?"

"That little French place on Fifth Avenue," Sophia said. "You know the one. Very intimate. Perfect for... business discussions."

Intimate. Emma wanted to crawl under the desk.

Sophia turned to Emma with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Emma, it was such a pleasure meeting you. I'm sure we'll be seeing much more of each other."

Is that a threat? Emma wondered.

"I'm sure we will," Emma replied, trying to match Sophia's fake sweetness.

"Wonderful." Sophia's smile sharpened. "And Emma? A word of advice? Adrian has very specific standards. Very high expectations. I'd hate to see you... disappoint him."

With that parting shot, Sophia clicked away toward the elevator, leaving Emma feeling like she'd been run over by a very expensive truck.

Adrian appeared in the conference room doorway. "Emma? Could I see you for a moment?"

Emma followed him back into the conference room, her heart pounding.

"I'm sorry about that," Adrian said immediately. "Sophia can be... intense."

Intense. That was a diplomatic way to put it.

"She seems very capable," Emma said carefully.

"She is," Adrian agreed. "The Northwest division wouldn't be nearly as successful without her leadership."

Of course she's irreplaceable, Emma thought bitterly.

"Emma," Adrian said, and something in his voice made her look up. "Are you okay?"

No, Emma wanted to say. *I'm not okay. I'm jealous and insecure and completely out of my depth.*

"I'm fine," she said instead.

Adrian stepped closer, studying her face. "You look upset."

Upset. Emma almost laughed. Upset was an understatement.

"I just... I feel like I don't belong here," Emma admitted quietly. "Everyone is so accomplished, so educated, so... sophisticated. And I'm just..."

"You're just what?" Adrian's voice was gentle.

"Nobody," Emma whispered. "I'm nobody special."

Adrian's expression went thunderous. "Who told you that?"

"No one had to tell me," Emma said, wrapping her arms around herself. "It's obvious. Look at Sophia - she's beautiful, successful, educated. She knows your business, understands your world. And I'm just... some girl you hired out of nostalgia."

"Emma"

"It's okay," Emma said quickly. "I understand. I know what I am and what I'm not. I just... I need a minute to adjust my expectations."

Adjust my expectations about what we could be. About what last night meant. About whether any of this is real.

Adrian was quiet for a long moment, and when Emma looked up, his golden eyes were blazing with something that looked like fury.

"Emma Parker," he said quietly, "you are the most important person in this building. In this city. In my entire world."

Emma's breath caught. "Adrian..."

"Sophia is a competent employee," Adrian continued, his voice intense. "Nothing more. You are..."

"I'm what?"

Adrian reached up and cupped her face in his hands. "You're everything."

Before Emma could respond, before she could even process what he'd said, Adrian's lips were on hers.

The kiss was soft and desperate and full of fifteen years of longing. Emma melted against him, all her insecurities temporarily forgotten in the face of overwhelming want.

He chose me, she thought dazedly. Over Sophia, over everyone, he chose me.

When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathing hard.

Emma became suddenly aware of where they were, in a conference room with glass walls, visible to anyone who happened to walk by. Her face burned with embarrassment.

"Adrian," she whispered, "people might see..."

"Let them," Adrian said fiercely, but he stepped back slightly, running a hand through his hair.

Let them see. The possessiveness in his voice sent heat through Emma's body, but it also made her nervous. This would be all over the office by tomorrow.

"Does that answer your question?" Adrian asked softly, his thumb brushing over her bottom lip.

Emma nodded, not trusting her voice. But even as warmth flooded her chest, a small voice in her head whispered: One kiss doesn't erase years of education and experience. Sophia isn't going to give up just because Adrian kissed you.

"Good," Adrian said, pressing another soft kiss to her forehead. "Because we have work to do, and I need my personal assistant focused."

Personal assistant. The title sounded different now. More intimate. More meaningful.

"What kind of work?" Emma asked, though part of her was still thinking about Sophia's confident smile and the way she'd looked at Adrian like she knew all his secrets.

Adrian's smile was sharp and possessive. "The kind that involves after-hours meetings. Private consultations. Access to information that very few people in this company are trusted with."

After hours of meetings. Emma's pulse quickened, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she was still missing something important.

"What kind of information?"

"The kind that explains why people react to me the way they do," Adrian said quietly. "The kind that will help you understand what you're really dealing with when situations like today's meeting happen."

What I'm really dealing with. Emma remembered the way everyone had seemed afraid of Adrian during the Morrison meeting, the way he'd demolished Richard's position with surgical precision.

"When do we start?" she asked.

Where I belong. Emma felt a thrill of excitement mixed with nervousness.

"Where do I belong?" she whispered.

"By my side," Adrian said simply. "Always."

Always. Emma stared into his golden eyes and felt something settle into place in her chest. Something that felt like coming home.

Let Sophia have her Harvard MBA and her business expertise, Emma thought, though she could still feel the sting of the other woman's dismissive comments. I have something she'll never have.

But will it be enough? a small voice whispered. When Adrian realizes what he's up against, the business demands, the professional expectations, the need for someone who actually understands his world, will a childhood connection and one kiss be enough?

Emma pushed the doubts away and focused on Adrian's golden eyes.

I have Adrian's heart, she told herself firmly. And I'm not giving up without a fight.