The next morning began with whispers.
Not loud, not obvious, but the kind that slipped through corridors and break rooms like perfume — light, lingering, impossible to ignore.
Alina Ross could feel them before she even heard them.
She stepped out of the elevator, her heels clicking against the marble floor, and caught the sudden hush that fell over a group of employees near the coffee counter. They exchanged looks — guilty ones — before pretending to be busy.
Her brows furrowed. "What?"
Sophie appeared beside her, voice low. "Don't kill me, but… there's a rumor."
Alina exhaled sharply. "About?"
"You and Mr. Vale," Sophie whispered, grinning. "Apparently, someone saw you both leaving the office together last night."
Alina froze. "We were working late. That's not—"
"I know," Sophie said quickly, "but people talk."
Alina groaned. "Great. Just what I need — a company soap opera."
Sophie smirked. "Could be worse. At least the chemistry's undeniable."
Alina shot her a glare. "Don't start."
---
A Meeting Turned Awkward
By mid-morning, Alina walked into the boardroom only to find Adrian already seated, scrolling through his tablet. When he looked up, that calm, unreadable smirk played across his lips.
"Good morning, Ms. Ross. I heard we made headlines."
Her stomach dropped. "Don't tell me you've heard it too."
"Hard not to," he said mildly. "My assistant nearly congratulated me."
Alina covered her face with her hands. "Unbelievable."
He leaned back, amused. "Relax. Rumors burn out fast when there's no truth in them."
She peeked at him through her fingers. "You seem too calm for someone being accused of—whatever this is."
"Why panic," he said smoothly, "when the person they're pairing me with is you?"
Her heart skipped, just for a second. "That's not funny."
He smiled faintly. "Didn't say it was a joke."
Alina opened her mouth — then closed it again. She turned away before he could see the faint color rising on her cheeks.
---
Sophie and Liam's Bet
Outside the glass room, their assistants had their own conversation.
Liam grinned as he stirred his coffee. "They're going to explode, you know."
"Or kiss," Sophie replied.
"Explosion first," Liam countered.
"Maybe both," she said with a grin. "You know, if we didn't work for them, I'd ship them online."
Liam chuckled. "You probably already have."
Sophie winked. "Maybe."
---
Back Inside
The meeting continued — reports, presentations, proposals — but Alina found it impossible to focus. Every time Adrian's gaze lingered, she felt it. Every casual brush of his hand against hers when passing a file made her pulse skip.
He was too composed. Too confident. And that made her even more unsettled.
Finally, she snapped.
"Can you not look at me like that?" she whispered.
He tilted his head. "Like what?"
"Like you're enjoying this."
"I am," he said simply.
Her jaw dropped. "You—!"
Before she could finish, the door opened, and a junior executive peeked in. "Uh—sorry, sir, ma'am. We're ready for the client call."
Alina exhaled, forcing her composure. Adrian simply smiled, rising from his chair. "After you," he said politely.
As she walked past, she muttered under her breath, "Infuriating man."
Behind her, he smiled to himself. "You have no idea."
---
Later That Evening
By the end of the day, the rumor had evolved from "they left together" to "they're secretly dating."
Sophie looked like she was having the best day of her life. "You're trending in the internal chat," she said, laughing. "#ValeRoss. Someone made a ship name."
Alina froze mid-typing. "They what?"
"ValeRoss. Has a nice ring, doesn't it?"
"I'm going to murder whoever started this."
"You say that," Sophie teased, "but you smiled when you read it."
Alina turned away quickly. "I did not."
"Uh-huh."
She groaned, grabbing her bag. "I'm going home before I commit a crime."
---
Adrian's Thoughts
In his office, Adrian watched her leave through the glass wall. There was something oddly satisfying about her frustration.
He'd never admit it aloud, but he liked seeing her flustered — liked knowing he could make her lose that perfect composure.
But deeper than the teasing, there was something else now — something softer, more dangerous.
He sighed quietly, glancing at the reflection of the city lights outside. "You're in trouble, Vale," he murmured to himself.
And maybe, just maybe, he didn't mind it.