CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FOUR

My first week at Blackstone Conglomerate was terrifying.

Not because the work was impossible.

But because I feared encountering Adrian Romano again.

And somehow—

I did not see him again because he was the CEO, until when we had an impromptu meeting. I saw him. Our eyes locked.

Yet somehow, his presence alone was enough to make me nervous.

I hated it.

Absolutely hated it.

“Miss Finn?”

I snapped out of my thoughts immediately.

“Yes?” I looked up at Mr. Howard from the finance department.

“We’re waiting for your input.”

Oh God.

Embarrassing.

Heat rushed to my cheeks as I quickly glanced at the presentation screen.

Right.

Meeting.

Work.

Not Adrian Romano’s stupid green eyes.

I cleared my throat professionally.

“I think reducing supplier delays would help productivity in the long run,” I said calmly. “If we renegotiate timelines now, it’ll save operational costs later.”

Silence filled the room briefly.

Then Mr. Howard nodded slowly.

“That’s actually a good point.”

Relief washed over me.

Maybe I wasn’t completely terrible at this job after all.

The meeting continued for another thirty minutes before everyone finally started leaving the conference room.

I gathered my files quickly, eager to escape before—

“Miss Finn.”

My shoulders stiffened instantly.

That voice.

Slowly, I turned around.

Adrian stood near the door in a charcoal suit, one hand tucked into his pocket while the other held a file.

Why did he always look like he stepped out of a luxury magazine shoot?

“Sir,” I said politely.

Everyone else suddenly became very interested in leaving the room.

Traitors.

Adrian walked toward me calmly.

“You handled yourself well in there.”

My eyes widened slightly.

A compliment?

From him?

“Thank you.”

“You’re smarter than I expected.”

Excuse me?

I blinked.

“What exactly did you expect?”

A faint smirk appeared on his lips.

“There she is.”

“There who is?”

“The girl who vomited on me.”

Oh my God.

I nearly died on the spot.

“That happened one time,” I whispered aggressively.

“And yet it remains one of the most memorable experiences of my life.”

I stared at him in disbelief.

Was Adrian Romano—

flirting with me?

No.

Impossible.

Men that looked like him did not flirt.

They destroyed lives accidentally.

“I should get back to work,” I said quickly.

“You’re blushing.”

“I am not.”

“You are.”

“I’m leaving now.”

His low chuckle followed me out of the room.

And annoyingly enough—

I smiled.

By Friday evening, I was mentally exhausted.

My brain hurt.

My shoulders hurt.

Even my heels hurt.

Adult life was wicked.

I was just shutting down my computer when my office door opened.

Sadie walked in dramatically wearing oversized sunglasses and a fitted red jumpsuit.

“How did you even get in here?” I laughed.

She removed the glasses slowly.

“I said I was here to save an overworked corporate babe.”

“That actually worked?”

“No. I bribed the receptionist with cupcakes.”

I burst into laughter.

“I missed you.”

“I know.” She dropped into the chair opposite me. “Now stand up.”

“Why?”

“We’re going out.”

“I’m tired.”

“And unemployed-you would slap employed-you for rejecting enjoyment.”

Fair point.

Twenty minutes later, we were heading to a rooftop restaurant downtown.

The night air was cool against my skin as we stepped out of Sadie's car.

I took off my blazer, remaining a black satin midi dress with thin straps and gold heels. Simple but elegant.

Sadie linked her arm through mine dramatically.

“Look at us,” she sighed emotionally. “Successful women.”

“One of us still owes student loans.” I joked.

“Do not ruin the moment.” She laughed.

I laughed softly.

The restaurant was beautiful—dim lights, soft music, and a breathtaking city view.

We settled into our seats and ordered food.

“So…” Sadie leaned forward immediately. “Corporate life.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“What do you want?”

“The tea.”

“There is no tea.”

“Lara.”

I sighed dramatically.

“Okay fine.”

Her eyes lit up instantly.

“I knew it!”

“Nothing happened.”

“Mhm.”

I stabbed my pasta aggressively.

“Adrian Romano is annoying.”

Sadie gasped loudly.

“That’s his name?!”

Oops.

Too late. I mentally face-palmed

“Wait.” Her eyes widened. “ROMANO as in Romano Group? Blackstone CEO? The CEO of this company?”

I froze.

“Well…”

“Oh my God.”

“It’s not a big deal.”

“Not a big deal?!” she whisper-yelled. “Lara, that man is ridiculously rich.”

“I know.”

“And hot.”

I avoided eye contact.

Sadie slammed her hand softly against the table.

“YOU LIKE HIM.”

“I HAVE A BOYFRIEND!”

People turned to look at us.

Sadie lowered her voice immediately.

“Sorry.”

I groaned and covered my face.

“This is bad.”

“What exactly is bad?”

“The butterflies.”

Sadie stared at me dramatically.

“Oh, you’re gone.”

“I’m not gone!”

“Girl, you’re cooked.”

I laughed despite myself.

Then my phone buzzed.

Chris.

My smile softened instantly.

“Speak of the devil,” Sadie muttered.

I kicked her lightly under the table before answering.

“Hey babe.”

“Where are you?”

His tone immediately caught my attention.

“At dinner with Sadie.”

“Oh.”

Silence.

“You’ve been busy lately.”

Guilt crept into my chest.

“Work has just been stressful.”

“Mhm.”

There it was again.

That strange coldness.

“Chris, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

But he didn’t sound fine.

“I miss you,” I said softly.

Another pause.

“Yeah. Me too.”

Sadie watched my expression carefully from across the table.

“We’ll talk later,” Chris added.

Then he hung up.

Again.

I slowly lowered my phone.

Sadie sighed quietly.

“He’s acting weird.”

“He’s probably stressed.”

“Or insecure.” She added.

I frowned.

“Insecure about what?”

Sadie gave me a look.

“Lara… your life is changing.”

I looked away.

Maybe she was right.

Because lately—

everything felt different.

And somehow, Adrian Romano always seemed to be standing at the center of it all.