A DANGEROUS PROXIMITY

Lily’s POV

“Are you sure about this, ma’am?” Charles asked for what felt like the millionth time today.

I walked out of my room, heading downstairs in my red pump heels that matched my fitted black corporate dress that showed off my figures. My fingers brushed through my long black hair as I pulled some strands to the side. I was wearing Gucci, but I made sure it wasn’t from one of the most expensive collections I had purchased recently. Charles trailed behind me, holding my phones, while one of the housekeepers carried my bag.

“For the millionth time, Charles, I know what I’m doing. You don’t need to worry about anything,” I said, grabbing my bag from the housekeeper before heading toward the car parked in the garage.

Charles held the car door open for me and waited until I settled in before handing me my phones. The chauffeur had been laid off because I didn’t want Adrian or anyone else seeing him around. It would look suspicious for someone with as much wealth as me to still have a chauffeur while working in a company that barely paid enough compared to the assets in my name.

“Remember, you’re my Uber driver if anyone asks,” I reminded Charles. He nodded softly before driving out of the mansion.

Today was my official resumption day at Adrian Atelier as a Data Analyst. Usually, starting a new job came with excitement, but what I felt now was far from joy. I was going to work in close proximity with my family’s killer. I just hoped I’d be able to control my anger. I prayed I wouldn’t ruin things before my plan unfolded.

I sighed, glancing at the rearview mirror. My eyes met Charles’s calm ones. He was the only one I could truly trust. I remembered vividly the first time we met at a bar four years ago. I had been drunk to the point of losing control and was about to harm myself with a broken bottle when he stepped in and saved me. At the time, I cursed him for it, but later I realized he had saved my life. Years later, our paths crossed again when he applied for a job at my company in the States. I didn’t hesitate to offer him a better position as my assistant.

“We’re here,” Charles said, pulling me out of my thoughts.

We were parked in front of the gigantic building. People walked and rushed up and down the staircases leading to the company lobby.

I checked my watch, it was exactly 8:30 a.m. I was right on time. I had studied Adrian’s schedule and matched my arrival with his.

“Pick me up at 5:00 p.m.,” I said as I grabbed my things and headed inside.

As soon as I entered the lobby, I noticed a man standing tall at the reception with a few men surrounding him. My instincts told me it was Adrian. I quickened my steps toward the desk to sign in. The goal was to get noticed by him and get closer to executing my plan. The quicker the better because I couldn’t stand seeing his face every day for long.

I gasped quietly when my eyes landed on him. This was the first time I had stood this close to him since five years ago. His steel-grey eyes were the same, but now they carried a coldness that revealed just how inhuman he had become. His jet-black hair was perfectly styled with faint touches of grey at the temples. His lips were full and well-shaped, his jawline sharp, and his skin light. His strong brows and piercing gaze gave off an air of dominance. He was even more attractive now in his late thirties than he had been before.

“What am I doing?” I muttered internally. I shouldn’t be checking him out.

“Who are you?” His deep, hoarse voice snapped me back to reality.

I blinked quickly, trying to find my words. He didn’t recognize me, not that I expected him to. My name was no longer Kathryna Grayson but Lily Nolan now. I had a new face, a new history. But still, part of me felt like my presence alone should have given him a hint.

After reminding myself who he was Adrian Hastings, I clenched my fists and straightened up.

“Umm…” His eyes scanned my ID card hanging on my neck. “Lily Nolan…”

“She’s the newly employed Data Analyst, sir,” the HR representative spoke up.

“She looks too young. Can she handle it?” Adrian questioned, glaring at HR.

“Yes, sir. She can. She has five degrees in relevant fields.”

He looked me up and down, his eyes silently asking for my age.

“I’m twenty-two, sir,” I said firmly, though I kept my tone respectful despite the hate I felt boiling inside.

He cleared his throat lightly and turned away. “Fill her in on the pressing job.”

I signed in and later got settled into my new office. It was smaller compared to my office back at my own company, but it was neat and functional. Soon, Adrian’s assistant briefed me on my first task which was the fact that I needed to collaborate with the sales team to develop data-driven sales strategies.

After hours of brainstorming with the team, we finally decided to push forward with the pitch I had created. But the problem was funding. Adrian Atelier’s financial team was struggling to raise the millions needed for the project because so much had already been spent on designs after the farmland collapse.

I suggested we seek help from Capital Management Group, the world’s leading financial company. Adrian agreed but expressed concern about their profit interest rates.

“I was able to get them to agree to a 5% profit interest instead of their usual 25%,” I explained, keeping my eyes on him. I wasn’t sure if I was staring because of my mission or because his presence had started to affect me.

“You did that?” he asked.

I nodded. He gave a small smile, almost like he didn’t want me to notice it.

“That’s fine. Have the finance team sign the contract. You may leave.”

“There’s a clause,” I quickly added.

He raised a brow for me to continue.

“If the funds aren’t returned in eight months, the company and everything tied to it will be passed to them.”

“How long do we plan to use the funds?”

“Exactly eight months, sir.”

He nodded slowly. “We can’t do it. Or can we?”

“Yes, I believe we can.”

“Good. Do as I said.”

I nodded and started heading out.

“Lily?” His deep voice called, making my knees weaken.

I turned to face him, pretending I didn’t just react the way I did. “Sir?”

“This deal is huge. Have the team prepared for a small treat outside the office. And thank you for a job well done,” he said casually, his eyes glued to his computer.

I scoffed inwardly. He had no idea what was coming for him.

“You’re welcome, si…”

“You may leave now,” he cut in before I could finish.

*******

The music was loud, and we practically had to shout to hear one another. I went to the bar to get drinks for our table, instructing the bartender to add ketamine to mine. Surprisingly, he had it and did as I said after I handed him thousands of dollars. My reason was simple, I wanted something to happen with Adrian tonight. Not for pleasure, but to start my plan of accusing him of rape. My revenge had begun, and I wanted to make him suffer before finally ending him.

“Cheers!” we all sang, clinking glasses. Everyone joined in except Adrian, who stayed cold and distant as usual.

I sighed and took a sip, bracing myself for what was coming.

Minutes later, Adrian stood and headed to the restroom. Soon, the drugged drink began to hit me hard. My stomach turned or so I thought, and I rushed toward the restroom, struggling with blurry vision.

I spotted Adrian inside, and for a moment I wasn’t sure if I was intruding into the men’s restroom or if he was in the women’s.

“Are… are you okay?” he asked, rushing to steady me by the arms. His grip was strong, and his face was close to mine. My eyes locked onto his lips, and I swallowed hard.

He stared at me intensely, almost like he was fighting something within himself. Then suddenly, his lips crashed onto mine, cold yet warm at the same time.

My eyes widened in shock, but then I let go of my hesitation and kissed him back, matching the hunger in his kiss.

His hand roamed all over my body, sliding down my waist and back up again, stopping on my breasts. He squeezed lightly, and I let out a soft moan into his mouth. The kiss grew hungrier, wetter, like we were both drowning in it. His tongue fought for control and won, and all I could do was hold onto the back of his neck as he devoured me like he had been waiting years for this moment.

Before I could process anything, he turned me around and guided me quickly into one of the restroom stalls, shutting the door with his leg.