Victoria

Olivia's POV

"...There she is."

"That's Mr. Kingston's assistant….The one from last night."

"I still can't believe he gave her the necklace. Do you know how much that thing cost?"

"I heard it sold for over six million."

"Six million? For his assistant?"

I slowed down for a second. I already knew this was going to happen, there was no escaping this.

The moment I stepped into the lobby, every head turned. People who had never looked twice at me before suddenly knew exactly who I was.

Heat crept up the back of my neck, I tightened my grip around my handbag and kept walking.

The sound of my heels echoed across the marble floor, making me more nervous.

Yesterday, I was invisible. Today… I had somehow become the most talked-about person in Kingston Holdings and I hated every second of it. I stepped into the elevator, grateful when the doors slid shut between me and the curious eyes outside. Only then did I let out the breath I'd been holding.

The velvet jewelry box sat inside my bag. I hadn't touched it since last night. I didn't even open it…Okay maybe I did but once.

My fingers curled around the strap of my bag. Why? Why would he give me this?

He had spent the whole day making my life impossible. Then, without warning, he stood in front of hundreds of people... and handed me a necklace worth more than I'd probably earn in years. It didn't make sense.

The elevator chimed, the doors sliding open immediately. I straightened my shoulders before stepping out. One decision had kept me awake almost the entire night…The necklace was going back. I didn't care whether he liked it or not. I wasn't keeping something that came with whispers, rumors...or Adrian Kingston.

I stopped outside his office. I almost considered leaving it with his secretary but no, that wouldn't work. I drew in a slow breath, my grip tightening on the box as I forced myself to knock.

"Come in.” He answered immediately.

I pushed the door open. He was behind his desk, his sleeves rolled neatly to his forearms, reading through a document while signing another. 

I walked to his desk, placing the velvet box in front of him. "I can't accept this." The box landed with a soft thud. Only then did he lift his eyes. His gray eyes settled on the box before moving to me. "Why?"

I folded my arms, trying to stop myself from fidgeting. "Because it's inappropriate."

He leaned back in his chair. "Inappropriate."

"Yes…For an employer to buy his employee a six-million-dollar necklace."

"Hm." His gaze stayed on me. "And?"

I frowned. "And... people are talking. They're saying we're involved."

He held my gaze for a second, saying nothing. Then he leaned back. "People will always talk, Miss Carter. Their opinions aren't my concern.”

My jaw tightened. "But I care about what they think."

He reached for the box, and for a moment, I thought he was finally taking it back. Instead...he slid it across the desk until it stopped in front of me again. "I didn't buy it for them." His eyes locked onto mine. "I bought it for you, whether they approve of it isn't my concern…the only opinion that matters in this room is mine.” 

He paused, his gaze slowly sweeping over me. "I don't have a habit of giving expensive gifts to women I don't intend to keep in my life.”

I stared at him. No, absolutely not. I pushed it back. "I don't want it."

He smiled. "I've noticed something about you, Olivia."

Hearing my name from him after seven years made my heartbeat stumble.

"You always mistake my decisions for suggestions…They're not."

I swallowed. "Adrian..." The word slipped out before I could stop it.

His smile disappeared, those gray eyes sharpening.

I felt my stomach drop. "I..." Heat rushed to my face. "I meant... Mr. Kingston."

"I was wondering," Adrian said, his eyes never leaving mine, "how long you planned on pretending you didn't remember my name.”

The words settled between us. 

Before I could think of a reply,a sharp knock sounded against the door. It opened without waiting for an answer. A woman swept inside in cream trousers and a fitted white blazer, her heels clicking confidently across the marble floor. She couldn't have been much younger than Adrian. They shared the same gray eyes, though hers were warmer... at first glance.

She stopped the moment she noticed me, her smile fading. Then her gaze drifted to the necklace box on the desk.

Her perfectly shaped eyebrow lifted. So..." she said, looking back at Adrian. "This is the assistant everyone's been whispering about."

She walked toward me with effortless confidence, studying me from head to toe. "Hm." She tilted her head. "I expected..." A tiny smile touched her lips. "...prettier."

I remained composed, straightening my shoulders. 

She held out her hand with a flawless smile. "I'm Victoria Hayes."

I shook it. "Olivia Carter."

"Olivia." She repeated my name thoughtfully before her eyes drifted over my plain navy dress. "It's refreshing."

I frowned slightly.

"We don't usually see women around Adrian who look so..." She searched for the word. "...ordinary." The smile never left her face, anyone listening would think she was complimenting me.

"I like to keep things simple," I replied quietly.

"Of course you do." She gave a sympathetic smile that made me feel worse. "I suppose not everyone enjoys a little effort."

I drew in a quiet breath, turning back to Adrian, who seems to be enjoying the show. "Thank you for the gesture, Mr. Kingston."

My gaze flicked briefly to the necklace lying untouched on his desk. "But my answer hasn't changed…If that's all, I'd like to get back to work.” I turned, ready to leave.

My hand had just touched the door handle when his voice cut through the room. "Don't."

My hands froze. Behind me, I heard the scrape of his chair. Slowly, I turned back. He was already on his feet. 

"You're free to leave..." His eyes held mine. "...when I say we're done.” He walked toward me until only a step separated us.

"As I recall," he said evenly, "I'm still your employer and you're still expected to follow my instructions."

He picked up the velvet box, placing it gently into my hands. "You'll keep it."

I opened my mouth to argue but couldn't form any words.

"And tomorrow..." His eyes swept over me. "I expect to see you wearing it."

“Seriously brother, y…..” Victoria starts but Adrian raises his hand, stopping her midway.

My pulse stumbled. "I won't."

His lips widened. "That's the interesting thing about certainty, Olivia."

He stepped aside, opening the path to the door. "It usually disappears the moment it's tested."

I stared at the box in my hands. I hated that he had somehow ended the conversation exactly where he'd wanted.

As I reached the door, he called out once more. "Oh... and Miss Carter?"

I paused.

"I don't like repeating myself."