One afternoon at the office, Rowen walked into Adrian's room with his usual easy grin.
"Hey, Adrian. My wife and I are heading to a hot spring resort this weekend. Want to join us? You can bring Elara along."
Before Elara could even respond, Adrian nodded without hesitation. "We'll come."
Elara turned to him, eyes wide. "I didn't even say yes."
Adrian tilted his head slightly toward her voice, calm as ever. "Your boss is offering you a chance to relax. You should be grateful."
She crossed her arms, half amused, half exasperated. "I thought you hated trips."
"I do," he said, lips curving faintly. "But you've been working hard. A change of scenery will be good for you."
Rowen chuckled from the doorway. "That's settled then. I'll book the rooms. You two need it."
When he left, Elara turned back to Adrian, trying to sound composed. "You didn't even ask if I was free this weekend."
Adrian's tone was matter-of-fact. "You're my caregiver. You're always free when I am."
Elara made a face right in front of him, forgetting for a moment that he couldn't see it. "You've been insufferable lately," she muttered.
He smiled, catching the irritation in her voice. "But you still stay," he said quietly.
Her heart stumbled at his words, though she quickly looked away. "Only because it's my job," she said, a little too quickly.
He leaned back slightly, his smile deepening. "Of course it is."
****
That weekend, Elara followed Rowen's car all the way to the resort. The drive took them through winding mountain roads surrounded by quiet greenery. When they finally arrived, the air smelled faintly of pine and warm mineral water.
After checking in at the front desk, Rowen handed Elara a key card with a grin.
"There you go," he said.
Elara frowned. "Wait, just one key?"
"The room's big enough for two," Rowen said casually.
Her eyes widened. "I'm a woman, and he's a man!" she hissed in disbelief.
Rowen rubbed the back of his neck and gave an awkward laugh. "Sorry, Elara. I was hoping for some alone time with my wife tonight."
"Rowen—" she started, her tone sharp with protest.
He cut her off quickly. "Don't worry. Adrian's a gentleman. And he can't exactly see you, so you'll be safe. Besides, how can you take care of him if you're in separate rooms?"
Before Elara could form another word, Rowen's wife called from across the lobby. "Everything all right?"
Elara swallowed her irritation and forced a polite smile. "Perfect," she called back.
"Great," Rowen said cheerfully. "We'll see you two at dinner." He waved and disappeared down the hallway with his wife before Elara could stop him.
Elara sighed heavily and turned back to Adrian, who was sitting patiently on the couch in the lobby, his posture calm and composed.
"Come on," she said quietly, walking over to him. She took his hand to help him stand, the simple touch steadying them both.
Inside, the space was wide and softly lit, the faint scent of cedar and hot spring water drifting through the air.
"This is… our room," Elara said after a long pause.
Adrian tilted his head slightly. "Our room?" His tone held a trace of quiet amusement.
"I asked Rowen the same thing," she said, exasperated. "He said it's spacious enough."
Adrian's lips curved faintly. "And you do not mind sharing it with me?"
"At first I did," she admitted, folding her arms. "But it will be easier to help you this way."
"Practical as always," he said softly.
Elara looked away, pretending to adjust her bag, her cheeks warming despite herself. "Just… don't make things awkward," she muttered.
Adrian smiled faintly at the sound of her flustered voice. "I would never."
When they walked further into the room, Elara was taken aback to see a private hot spring tucked into one corner of the suite. Steam rose gently from the clear water, filling the air with warmth and the faint scent of minerals. No wonder Rowen and his wife had insisted on staying together.
"So this place comes with a private bath?" she asked, her tone a mix of surprise and disbelief.
"That is why I asked if you were fine sharing," Adrian said with a quiet smile.
"Oh, great," Elara murmured under her breath, trying to hide the flustered look on her face.
After unpacking, she handed him a towel and a robe, her fingers brushing his briefly before she quickly stepped back. "Here. I will give you some privacy."
She pulled the partition closed and changed quickly herself, wrapping a towel around her body. Her pulse was unsteady, her thoughts scattered. She told herself it was only because she was tired, but the warmth in her cheeks said otherwise.
"Are you ready, boss?" she called lightly.
"Yes," came his calm reply.
Elara slid the partition open and froze. Adrian stood with his back to her, a towel resting low on his hips. His shoulders were broad, his back defined by smooth, firm lines that caught the soft light. For a moment, she could not move. Heat rushed up her neck, and she spun around quickly, pressing a hand to her face.
"I am going to help you to the bath," she said quickly, her voice higher than usual.
He nodded, his tone even. "All right."
She walked over, careful to keep her gaze lowered, and guided him by the arm toward the spring. His skin felt warm beneath her fingers, his movements quiet and sure despite the unfamiliar space. When his foot touched the edge of the water, he hesitated slightly.
"It is right in front of you," she said softly. "A step down, then you can hold the railing."
Adrian nodded and stepped carefully into the water. The surface rippled around him, steam curling against his skin. Elara followed, settling in the opposite corner.
The heat wrapped around her instantly, making her skin tingle and her heart race for reasons she could not quite explain. Adrian tilted his head back slightly, the faintest sigh escaping him.
"This feels good," he murmured.
Elara smiled faintly, trying to calm the fluttering in her chest. "Yes," she said softly. "It does."
For a moment, neither spoke. The only sound was the quiet ripple of water between them,
"The view is really nice here," Elara said, just to break the silence. Her voice was quiet, almost uncertain.
"Yes. There is a mountain not far off," Adrian replied.
She turned to him, surprised. "You have been here before?"
"A few years ago," he said. "With Rowen and his wife, back when they were just dating."
Elara smiled faintly. "And your ex-girlfriend," she added before she could stop herself.
Adrian's lips curved into a small smile. "Good guess."
"You must have had fun," she said softly. "Hot spring, mountain view, everything."
He moved slightly, the water shifting with him. His hand brushed the surface until it found her shoulder. Then he leaned closer, resting his palms on the edge of the bath, his arms loosely framing her. She froze, her breath catching at his nearness. His warmth seemed to wrap around her, the air between them growing still.
"This is my first time sharing a bath with a woman," Adrian murmured, his voice low and teasing.
Elara's pulse stumbled. "What about last time?" she whispered, her voice barely steady.
"That was with Rowen," he said with a quiet laugh. "Not quite romantic."
"Next time, you can come back with your girlfriend," she said, trying to sound light.
"Or my wife," he teased.
"Right," she said quickly, trying not to smile. "Now, could you please let go of me?"
"No," he said playfully. "What can you even do about it?"
"Oh, I'll show you." She jabbed a finger at his side.
Adrian burst out laughing, the sound rich and genuine. In turn, he slipped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her lightly against him. Both of them laughed freely, their voices mingling with the sound of rippling water.
When the laughter faded, the stillness returned. Elara looked up, and their faces were only inches apart.
For one suspended heartbeat, she wanted to close the distance, to feel the shape of his smile against hers. But she didn't.
"Don't you think we have gotten too close lately?" she said quietly, her gaze fixed on the water instead of him.
"Yes," Adrian said after a pause. "And?"
Her pulse quickened. "You are my employer. Maybe we should keep some distance."
His tone softened, though there was a trace of firmness in it. "But I do not see you as just my employee."
Elara hesitated, her chest tightening. "You mean… like friends? Or siblings?" she asked, forcing a small, uneasy smile.
Adrian turned his face slightly toward her voice, unsure if she was teasing him or truly that unaware. "Think whatever you like," he said quietly, moving a step away.
The warmth that had surrounded them moments ago seemed to fade, replaced by a stillness that pressed against her chest.
Elara bit her lip. Maybe she had gone too far but she also knew she wasn't wrong. There were boundaries she could not afford to forget, no matter what her heart wanted.
"I am going back to the room," she said softly, standing up. She put on the robe and left before he could respond.
Behind her, Adrian remained in the water, his expression unreadable.
*****
That evening at dinner, Elara stayed unusually quiet. She moved her fork without much appetite, her thoughts drifting back to the moment in the hot spring she wished she could forget.
"Elara, you okay? You have barely said a word," Rowen asked, his tone light but curious.
She looked up and forced a small smile. "I'm fine," she said quickly, hoping her voice sounded steadier than she felt.
Rowen studied her for a moment, clearly unconvinced, before returning to his meal.
Beside her, Adrian said nothing, but his head turned slightly toward her voice. He could not see her face, yet somehow he sensed her silence.