Chapter 20

Briar’s POV

My eyes feel heavy.

I let out a heavy sigh, pinching my nose bridge as I took off my glasses to clean them up. Staring at a screen all day will make you glum. The only comfort I have is that I am nearing the end. It’s been a hectic week. The weekend had me prepping myself for the intense work I was about to put myself through in the new week.

Liam in his usual routine came to get Knox and I had time to myself to rest. But since Monday, I have been stuck trying to blow Mr Sterling's mind. I have stretched myself thin in ways that I didn’t expect were possible. Did site inspection again, visited some places that I was certain would provide me with the needed inspiration. Did as much research as I could with the little time I have before settling down to work. Now that I have been at it for days. I can’t wait for Friday when I will hand it over and get moving with my life.

“Briar, you are still here,” Liam said, standing in front of me with a troubled expression. “Don’t tell me you are still working on that design? Let’s just head home, come on.”

I shook my head stubbornly. “I have a target, Liam. I just need another hour or two. I will head home then, I promise.”

“Let me keep you company, then. That would be more fun.”

Even in my tired state, I can tell he is running on lower fuel than I am. Since I was forced to stay out of the project. Liam has had a lot on his hands. Despite the team giving their best, it still doesn’t feel the same and that makes him super stressed. I do feel bad. I wish I could help him, but I am handicapped and all this is probably my fault. Maybe if u have no past affiliations with Adrian, nothing will bite me in the butt.

“No, Liam,” I mumbled, smiling at him. “You don’t need to stay, please. I prefer the silence. That is why I didn’t go home either.”

“I can sit in my office and wait for you to be done.”

“It is still the same, Liam. Go on,” I urged.

Liam pursed his lips, his face creased in a frown, as if he were thinking. “Alright, if you insist. But you have to leave only after an hour.”

“Two hours.”

“Fine! You and your stubborn act to always have your way. I will call you in the next two hours and you had better be out of here by then. What about dinner though?” He inquired.

“The two hours are ticking Liam. You are such a distraction.” I whined with a pout.

Liam snickered. “I am leaving.”

I rolled my eyes playfully as he walked away. With the silence back, I returned my attention to the screen. A few minutes must have passed when I realized my coffee had finished. I stood up begrudgingly and headed to the break room. To my disappointment, there is no coffee there either. How much caffeine does this team run on? Huffing in defeat, I grabbed my card and headed out of the office. There is a cafe on the ground floor.

I waited for the elevator door to open, humming to myself absentmindedly. When it did, I cursed under my breath at the sight of the person inside. I don’t like seeing Adrian’s face. It reminds me of too many things that I intend to forget. My first thought is to stand back until he leaves. But the look in his eyes that almost seemed like a taunt got to me. I bet he is feeling like a god right now because he thinks that, after all the stress he has been putting me through I would run.

The mistake he has made is underestimating me. Squaring my shoulder, I stepped into the elevator, grumbling a good evening.

“What are you still doing here, Miss Smith?” Adrian asked the moment the elevator door closed.

I folded my arms, leaning against the wall. “Working.”

“What sort of work has you prancing around at this time of the night? Are you sure it is just that?” His voice sounded accusatory, made me scoff.

“If I am to do anything dangerous. I am sure the security you paid for wouldn’t go to waste. And trust me, I wouldn’t want to be here either if a certain someone didn't choose to toy with me.”

“I will advise you to watch your tone with me, Miss Smith. I am your boss.”

I cackled dryly. “Right. The fact that you need to constantly repeat that as a reminder sure says a lot about you.”

“If you have something to say to me, you should speak up.” I didn’t respond and that must have hit him the wrong way. “What exactly is your plan around here? Why haven’t you given in yet? Is this you putting up a brave fight or because you do have a shady plan?”

I exhaled slowly, doing my best not to get triggered. I have thought hard and long about it after my conversation with Liam during the weekend. It made me retrace my steps and I remembered the conversation we had in the elevator where Adrian was staring down at my neck. How did I not remember to hide that?

Of course, if there is still one of my old pictures lying around, he must have used that to compare the birthmark. It is almost impossible for two different people to look so alike and have their birthmarks in the same place. Come to think of it. How long can I truly hide? He probably feels he knows me and has chosen to teach me a lesson since I have refused to admit to who I am.

His plot is obviously to push me hard enough until I beg to reveal my truth. He is playing the hard game just to have the upper hand. Unfortunately, I am the wrong person to do that with.

Just as I thought of the right response to give him, the elevator door dinged open. I let out a relieved sigh and stepped out. Held his gaze for a few seconds before smiling tightly at him.

“Have a good night, Mr Sterling.” I mused, ignoring the murderous look on his face as I quickened my step. This will hit him differently.