Adrian gripped the steering wheel with one hand, the other tightening around his phone as he dialed Lila's number for the fifth time. The night air outside was thick, his headlights cutting through the streetlights as he sped toward the H-Star building.
The first time the call rang out, he told himself she might have left her phone in the office.
The second time, maybe she was too busy in a meeting.
By the third, fourth, and fifth time, his patience began to crack.
Each unanswered ring echoed louder than the last, feeding the unease growing in his chest.
"Pick up, Lila," he muttered under his breath, his jaw tightening as he pressed redial again. The screen lit up with her picture—her smile that had once melted away all his anger. But tonight, it only reminded him of how much he stood to lose.
Nathan had offered to drive him, but Adrian had refused. His instincts told him something wasn't right. If he left it to chance, to anyone else, he might be too late.
He accelerated, weaving past slower cars, his mind racing faster than his vehicle. What if Tristan had done something? What if he used this so-called 'meeting' as an excuse to corner her? The thought burned like acid in his chest.
Adrian had known Tristan long enough to understand his obsession with revenge. The way he spoke earlier—calm yet venomous—wasn't just a warning. It was a promise.
"Not this time," Adrian whispered harshly, gripping the steering tighter. "I won't let you touch her."
He called again. Still no answer. He slammed the steering with his palm. "Damn it, Lila!"
Meanwhile, in the office, Lila was seated across from Tristan, papers and notes spread across the table. The meeting had stretched far longer than she intended, and the weight of exhaustion pressed on her shoulders.
Tristan leaned back in his chair, watching her as if she were more interesting than any script in front of them. His words were smooth, but his eyes carried a sharpness she couldn't ignore.
"You should rest, Lila," he said, voice deceptively gentle. "You've been working too hard."
"I'll rest once we wrap this up," she replied without looking up, her pen scratching across the page.
Tristan smiled faintly. "That determination—it's why you're different. Why Adrian…" He stopped himself but smirked when he saw the flicker of unease cross her face.
Lila closed the notebook abruptly. "If you don't have more to add, I think we should continue tomorrow."
She reached for her phone on the table, noticing the multiple missed calls lighting up the screen—Adrian. Her heart skipped. She didn't even realize it had been buzzing all this time.
Before she could press call back, Tristan leaned forward, his hand landing near hers, too close for comfort.
"Adrian's worried about you, isn't he?" he said quietly. "It's funny how protective he gets… reminds me of how he used to be with someone else."
Lila froze. He did know.
Her lips parted to speak, but before she could, the sharp sound of her phone vibrating again cut through the tension. She pulled her hand back quickly, staring at the glowing screen.
---
Out on the road, Adrian's car skidded slightly as he took the corner faster than he should have. The H-Star building loomed in the distance now, its glass exterior glowing faintly under the night sky. He redialed, his teeth clenched, and when once again it rang without answer, his fear transformed into fury.
If Tristan has touched her… The thought was enough to make his blood boil.
By the time he pulled up in front of the building, Adrian's patience had shattered. He left the car door wide open, not even bothering to shut it, and stormed toward the entrance. The security guards recognized him instantly and stepped aside without a word.
Inside, the building was quieter than usual—most staff had already gone home. The silence only heightened his tension. He knew exactly where to go. His footsteps echoed through the corridor as he made his way upstairs, each stride sharp and fast.
---
Back in the meeting room, Tristan leaned back with a mocking smirk. "He's here, isn't he? That's why you suddenly look so restless."
Lila stood abruptly, clutching her phone. "This meeting is over, Tristan. Whatever personal grudge you have with Adrian, don't drag me into it."
Tristan's smile widened. "But you're already in it, Lila. You married him. That makes you my problem too."
Her breath caught. This was the first time he had said it aloud, confirming what she already suspected—Tristan knew.
Before she could answer, the heavy sound of a door slamming echoed from the hallway. Both their heads turned at once.
Adrian.
The moment the door swung open, Adrian appeared, his presence filling the room like a storm. His eyes locked on Lila first—relief flickering for a second when he saw she was safe—then shifted to Tristan, narrowing with unmistakable fury.
"Lila," Adrian's voice was firm, leaving no room for argument, "come here."
Lila hesitated, glancing between the two men.
Tristan chuckled under his breath. "See? He can't even hide it anymore. That possessiveness. That desperation."
Adrian's jaw tightened as he stepped forward. "I told you once, Tristan. Stay away from her."
Tristan stood now, not backing down. "And I told you, Adrian. I won't. Not while I'm still breathing."
The tension between them was palpable, the air charged with years of rivalry, anger, and secrets. Lila clutched her phone tightly, her pulse racing.
"Adrian, let's just go," she whispered, stepping cautiously toward him.
But Tristan's voice stopped her cold. "He'll destroy you, Lila. Just like he destroyed everyone else who dared to love him."
Adrian's fist clenched, his control hanging by a thread. "That's enough!" he roared, the sound reverberating through the room.
For a moment, silence followed. Lila stepped closer to Adrian, her hand brushing his arm, grounding him before the fury inside him could explode further.
"Let's go home," she said softly.
Adrian didn't break eye contact with Tristan, but after a long beat, he nodded. He grabbed Lila's hand, firm but protective, and led her out of the room without another word.
Tristan watched them leave, his smirk fading into something darker.
"This isn't over," he whispered to himself.
---
Outside, Adrian guided Lila into the car, his movements sharp with barely contained anger. Once they were inside, he finally looked at her.
"Why didn't you answer my calls?" His voice was low, rough.
Lila lowered her gaze. "I didn't realize… I was in the meeting. And then—"
"Was he bothering you?" he cut in.
She hesitated, then nodded slightly. "He knows, Adrian. He knows about us."
The air between them grew heavier. Adrian leaned back in his seat, exhaling slowly as he processed her words.
So Tristan had crossed the line.
Adrian's hand tightened on the steering wheel again. "Then it's war," he muttered, his tone deadly calm.
And for the rest of the drive home, silence hung between them—thick, tense, and filled with the weight of everything unsaid.