The Blind date

Adrian sat behind his desk at Blake Corporation, his eyes fixed on the documents in front of him. The office was unusually quiet, but the peace didn't last long.

The door opened, and Ethan Cole, his secretary, hurried inside with his phone in hand.

“Sir, I have an update regarding your schedule.”

Adrian didn't bother looking up. “What is it?”

“Your date tonight.”

Adrian's pen stopped moving. “My what?”

“Your blind date.”

Adrian finally raised his head, his brows drawing together. “What? Tonight at seven?”

“Yes, sir. At the coffee shop in the Imperial Hotel. You're supposed to meet Aria from the Yale Marine Group.”

Adrian's expression immediately darkened. He reached for his schedule book and flipped through the pages. Meeting after meeting filled every available space.

“I have a full schedule today. Tell them I'm busy.”

Ethan sighed. He had expected that answer. Instead of arguing, he pulled out his phone and played a video.

Adrian recognized his grandfather's voice almost immediately: “I don't want to hear you say anything. Move things around. This is exactly why I pay you so much.”

The video ended. For several seconds, silence filled the office.

Ethan slipped his phone back into his pocket. “And that's why I went ahead and cleared your schedule.”

Adrian stared at him. “You did what?”

“I cleared it. Every meeting that could be moved has been moved. The ones that couldn't were handled by the other executives.”

Adrian leaned back in his chair and rubbed his forehead. “It was easier at the overseas branch,” he muttered.

Ethan almost laughed. “You should be grateful you have me.”

“I pay you to work, not to ruin my life.”

“I'm trying to improve it.”

Adrian gave him a warning look.

Ethan cleared his throat. “Well, I hope you find a suitable partner among the top ten candidates.”

Adrian frowned. “Why the top ten?”

Ethan shrugged. “Because number eleven is in Japan, and number seventeen is in Switzerland. Do you really want to travel that far for a blind date?”

Adrian's eyes widened. “What?”

Ethan continued as if he hadn't noticed his reaction. “Or you could just get married like the Chairman wants. Then I won't have to keep bothering with your schedule, and you won't have to waste any more time on blind dates.” He paused before adding honestly, “I'm just frustrated, that's all. But I understand where the Chairman is coming from.”

Adrian was silent. Then, unexpectedly, he leaned back and stared at the ceiling.

“No.”

Ethan looked at him. “No?”

“I think it's a good idea.”

Ethan's mouth fell open.

Adrian's expression suddenly became serious. “Marriage?”

Meanwhile, Chloe had absolutely no idea what kind of trouble she was walking into.

Aria had taken her shopping earlier that day, insisting that Chloe needed an entirely new look for the evening.

“Let's pick the clothes you'll wear to the blind date here,” Aria said, holding up another dress.

Chloe looked at it uncertainly before nodding. “Fine.”

They spent hours going through different outfits until they finally found one that suited Chloe perfectly. Afterward, Aria made sure Chloe received a complete makeover.

By the time Chloe looked in the mirror, she barely recognized herself. Her appearance was elegant and sophisticated, exactly what the evening called for. Still, something about the entire situation made her uneasy. She just couldn't explain why.

That evening, Chloe arrived at the Imperial Hotel. The moment she stepped inside, several heads turned in her direction. She tried not to notice.

Keeping her expression calm, she walked toward the coffee shop and took a seat.

The play has started, she thought, forcing herself to remain composed. Now it's time.

She glanced around the room. Where was her date?

Then she heard a man's voice. “Aria?”

Chloe turned her head slowly, her eyes widening. What? Why is he so good-looking?

The man standing before her looked effortlessly confident. His dark suit fit him perfectly, and his expression was calm and intimidating at the same time.

He looks... hot. She quickly pushed the thought away.

“You're Aria, right?” Adrian asked.

Chloe hesitated. “Yes.”

Adrian took the seat opposite her. Neither of them spoke; they simply stared at each other awkwardly.

Chloe was the first to look away. I wish I could take my time, but I have to end this quickly.

She turned back to him and gave him a small, almost challenging smirk. “I don't even know who you are. What's your name?”

Adrian raised an eyebrow. Without saying anything, he reached into his pocket and handed her a business card. “My name is Adrian.”

Chloe looked down at the card. “Adrian what?” Her tone was almost rude, but there was something unintentionally funny about the way she said it.

Adrian's expression remained unreadable.

Chloe turned the card over. Then she froze, her eyes widening as she read the name again.

Adrian Blake.

Her heart skipped. Adrian Blake... the president of our company?

Suddenly, everything made sense. The man sitting across from her wasn't some random stranger. He was her boss—the very man she had been trying to avoid, and the same man she had bumped into at the airport.

Chloe's face tightened. This can't be happening.

“Chloe.”

She didn't respond.

“Chloe.”

Her eyes snapped back to him. “Yes?”

Adrian studied her carefully. “Is something wrong?”

“No. Not at all.” She forced a smile. “I just need to go to the bathroom.”

Before Adrian could respond, Chloe stood and hurried away.

Inside the bathroom, Chloe immediately pulled out her phone. Her hands trembled slightly as she searched for Aria's number.

“Come on, Aria. Pick up. Please pick up.”

She called again. No answer.

“Seriously?”

She took a deep breath and tried once more. Still nothing.

Chloe stared at her phone in frustration. “This is a disaster.”

After composing herself, she finally left the bathroom and returned to the table. Adrian was already waiting, and neither of them mentioned her sudden disappearance.

They ordered their food, and Chloe tried desperately to act normal. She picked up her glass and took a small sip.

Stay calm. She lowered the glass. There's two hundred thousand dollars on the line.

Her eyes widened slightly. I mean... Aria. She quickly corrected herself in her mind. Just stay calm, Chloe. Get through this date, and everything will be fine.

Across the table, Adrian watched her carefully. There was something strange about this woman, and he intended to find out exactly what it was.