The Elevator Encounter

Chloe arrived at Nova Care that morning with one goal—to survive the day without running into Adrian Blake.

After everything that had happened at the hotel, seeing him was the last thing she wanted.

She rushed through the revolving doors, clutching her handbag tightly as her eyes darted to the clock hanging in the lobby.

"Oh no!" she whispered, quickening her pace. "Mr. Johnson is going to give me hell if I get here after him."

The elevator in front of her was already closing.

"Wait for me!" Chloe shouted, waving both hands.

The doors closed right in her face.

"Damn it," she groaned. "Why is today already against me?"

Just then, another elevator opened beside her.

A smile immediately spread across her face.

"Thank God."

She stepped inside without looking.

The smile disappeared.

Standing inside were Adrian Blake... his secretary Ethan... and Chairman William Blake.

Chloe froze.

Her face instantly turned pale.

No... not him.

She quietly stepped backward, hoping to leave before anyone noticed.

"Get in, Miss."

The Chairman's warm voice stopped her.

"Pardon?" Chloe asked, turning around slowly.

"There's plenty of space. Come in."

She forced an awkward laugh.

"No, it's okay, sir. I'll wait for the next one."

Before she could escape, Adrian spoke.

"Are you getting in or not?"

His cold tone echoed through the elevator.

Embarrassed, Chloe swallowed hard and stepped inside.

The doors closed.

Silence filled the elevator.

Chloe stood in one corner, lowering her head while using her long hair to hide part of her face.

Please don't recognize me. Please don't remember me.

She prayed repeatedly.

Ethan noticed the awkward atmosphere but pretended not to.

"Mr. Chairman," he said politely, "what brings you to the office this early in the morning?"

The Chairman smiled.

"It's my company. Am I not allowed to visit?" he replied jokingly.

Then his smile disappeared as he glanced at Adrian.

"This brat made a shocking declaration yesterday and refused to explain himself, so I came here for answers."

"What is there to explain?" Adrian answered calmly. "I already told you everything."

The Chairman folded his arms.

"So you're really going to marry her?"

Chloe's head shot up.

Marry who?

Her eyes moved between the two men.

Ethan immediately stepped in.

"Sir... maybe this isn't the best place to discuss that."

But curiosity had already taken over Chloe's mind.

The CEO is getting married?

The elevator stopped.

Before the doors opened completely, Chloe squeezed herself out.

She had barely taken three steps when a voice stopped her.

"You there."

She froze.

Please don't let it be me.

"Ms. Chloe."

Her eyes widened.

How does he know my name?

Slowly, she turned around.

"Y-Yes?"

Adrian bent down and picked something up from the floor.

Her employee ID.

"You dropped this."

Chloe looked down and realized the card was missing from her neck.

"Oh my goodness..."

She hurried over and stretched out her hand.

"Thank you so much."

Their fingers brushed for a brief second as he handed it over.

A strange feeling passed through both of them.

Chloe quickly pulled her hand back.

"Thank you," she repeated before practically running away.

The Chairman watched her disappear down the hallway with a thoughtful smile.

"Interesting girl."

Adrian frowned.

"She's just an employee."

"Is she?" the Chairman asked with a knowing smile. "You called her by name."

Adrian remained silent.

Ethan looked between the two of them, sensing something unusual.

Inside the office hallway, Chloe leaned against the wall and held her chest.

"My heart almost jumped out of my body," she whispered.

She took a deep breath, fixed her ID back around her neck, and walked toward her department.

The moment she entered, Mr. Johnson slammed a file onto her desk.

"You're three minutes late."

Chloe lowered her head immediately.

"I'm sorry, sir."

"Sorry won't finish today's workload. I need these reports on my desk before lunch."

He walked away without giving her another glance.

Chloe sighed and sat down.

"What a terrible morning."

She had no idea that upstairs, Adrian was still thinking about the frightened employee who ran away from him.

And neither of them knew that fate had only just begun pulling their lives together.