The Accidental Kiss

Chloe got home and went straight to her room, replaying her conversation with Adrian over and over in her head. She was still lost in thought when her phone rang.

It was Caleb.

"Hey, Caleb," she answered.

"Hi. I was starting to forget what your face looks like. Why haven't you stopped by?" Caleb asked.

"I've been a bit busy at work," Chloe said, the stress evident in her voice.

"What's wrong with your voice? Did something happen?" he asked, concern creeping in.

"Work's just been stressing me out a bit," she said flatly.

"Yeah, okay. I'll swing by soon, all right?" Caleb said.

"Okay." Chloe forced a small laugh before ending the call.

Caleb lowered his phone, uneasiness settling in his chest. He had never heard Chloe sound like that. She was always full of energy. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

Back at the estate, Chloe dropped onto the couch and buried her face in a cushion, grinding her frustration into it.

"Adrian, that bastard. I'm so stressed because of that man I can't even focus on anything."

Meanwhile, Adrian's grandfather sat comfortably in front of the television, completely absorbed in his favorite drama.

"Hey! I could've gotten hurt!" a character yelled from the screen.

"Jeez." The old man clicked his tongue. "Rich people are people too. Why do they always scream and yell? They're always written as the villains."

He barely noticed the footsteps behind him until Adrian spoke.

"I'm back."

His grandfather immediately stood up.

"You're back! So, did you set a date for me to meet your girlfriend?"

"Pardon?" Adrian's expression flickered.

"Why are you making that face? Is something wrong?"

Adrian paused for a brief moment before answering.

"No. Don't worry. You'll see her soon enough."

"Really?" his grandfather asked, watching him closely as Adrian turned and walked toward his room.

Upstairs, Chloe sat in front of her laptop, trying to distract herself with work. Her phone buzzed again.

She groaned.

"What is it now?"

She cleared her throat and answered.

"Hello?"

"Where are you?" Adrian's voice came through.

"Where would I be at this hour? Home, obviously," she replied, her eyes still fixed on the laptop screen.

"Then come downstairs for a second. I'm outside your house."

Chloe froze.

"You're outside? Now? Wait... why?"

She was already on her feet, rushing to the window. Pulling the curtain aside, she looked down.

There he was.

"Why would you show up this late without telling me? I was about to go to bed," she said, half annoyed and half nervous.

Adrian looked up from inside his car.

"Funny. Your lights are still on."

"Oh my God," Chloe whispered.

"Would you rather I let myself in?"

"No! I'll come out. Just stay put, okay?"

She ended the call and stared at herself.

"This man is unbelievably stubborn. Okay... wait. What do I even do first?"

She scrambled around her room, quickly putting on makeup and grabbing a pair of sunglasses before hurrying downstairs.

The moment she got into the passenger seat, Adrian said nothing. He simply studied her from head to toe.

After a long silence, he finally spoke.

"Can you even see through those?"

Chloe immediately pulled off the sunglasses, embarrassed.

"I thought you said you were going to bed," Adrian said, clearly puzzled by the sudden makeup.

"I never let anyone see me without it. It's practically a rule for women," she lied, trying to protect her identity.

Adrian's eyes drifted over her outfit.

"Judging by what you're wearing, that 'rule' doesn't seem very consistent."

"Whatever." Chloe folded her arms. "Why did you drive all the way out here?"

She desperately wanted to change the subject.

Adrian reached into the back seat and pulled out a document folder with an envelope tucked inside. He held it out to her.

"I drafted a contract. Read it, and memorize my profile before you meet my grandfather."

Chloe stared at the folder, completely caught off guard.

"I said I'd think about it. I never said I'd actually do it."

She pushed it back into his hands.

"I don't have any other option but you," Adrian said quietly, desperation creeping into his voice. "You said you'd repay me. So let's do this. A contract relationship."

"No."

Chloe grabbed the door handle.

"Find someone else."

She threw the car door open and ran.

"Ms. Stephanie!"

Adrian ripped off his seatbelt and chased after her.

They sprinted past the front of her family's restaurant before Adrian caught up and stepped in front of her, forcing her to stop.

"Are you seriously going to back out like this?" he demanded, breathing hard.

"No. That's not what I'm saying."

Chloe struggled to catch her breath.

"It's because I have a real reason I can't do it."

How am I supposed to fool both a company president and a company chairman? she thought bitterly.

"Then tell me."

Adrian looked directly into her eyes.

"What's your reason?"

"It's..."

Her words died in her throat.

Over Adrian's shoulder, she spotted her brother walking toward the restaurant.

"Wait. First..."

Without thinking, Chloe ducked and pressed her face against Adrian's chest, hiding herself from view.

Adrian stiffened.

"What are you doing?"

"You know what? Let's talk tomorrow!"

She pushed him away, but the moment she realized he was losing his balance, she instinctively reached out to pull him back.

Instead, they both crashed to the ground.

Chloe landed on top of Adrian.

For a heartbeat, neither of them moved.

Their faces were only inches apart.

Before either of them could react, their lips met.