Chapter 35 — The Aftershock
Morning light spilled through the half-open blinds of Alina's apartment, painting thin stripes across her face. The alarm hadn't even gone off yet, but she was already awake.
Because she couldn't stop thinking about him.
The meeting.
The rumors.
The way Adrian had leaned close in the elevator, his voice soft but heavy — "Then they'll stop. I'll make sure of it."
It wasn't a line, not the kind he used to throw around like weapons. It had felt… real.
And that terrified her.
---
Coffee and Confusion
By the time she reached Aurora's office, Sophie was already waiting by the door — two coffees in hand, eyes full of news she clearly couldn't wait to spill.
"Before you say anything," Sophie began, "the good news is you're not trending anymore."
Alina blinked, half-relieved. "Really?"
"The bad news," Sophie continued, "is because the company's official PR team deleted every single post and warned the staff to stop gossiping about executives."
Alina stopped walking. "Wait, the PR team intervened?"
"Yep. Someone called them directly this morning."
Alina frowned. "Who?"
Sophie's grin was all the answer she needed.
"Don't tell me…"
"Oh, I'm telling you." Sophie nodded dramatically. "Mr. Vale himself. He asked the PR team to 'clean the mess' before it reached investors."
Alina froze. "He… did that?"
"Apparently at six in the morning."
She didn't know what to say. Adrian Vale wasn't exactly known for playing the savior. He was known for being competitive, sharp, and perfectly self-serving.
But this… this was something else.
---
Meanwhile, at Vale Enterprises
Adrian was already at his desk, scrolling through morning reports, trying very hard not to think about the look on Alina's face yesterday — that mixture of annoyance, disbelief, and something that felt dangerously close to curiosity.
Liam walked in, holding a mug of black coffee and a smirk. "So. Hero of the hour, huh?"
Adrian didn't look up. "Don't start."
"You called PR at dawn. You never call anyone at dawn. What happened, guilt?"
"Professional damage control."
"Uh-huh. Sure." Liam sat down, looking far too entertained. "You do realize you've just made it worse, right?"
Adrian raised an eyebrow. "How?"
"Because now people are saying you protected her. Like, 'Mr. Vale personally shut down the rumor to defend Ms. Ross.'"
Adrian groaned quietly. "Unbelievable."
"Oh, it gets better," Liam added, scrolling through his phone. "They're calling it #ValeRossReboot."
Adrian closed his laptop. "I'm banning hashtags."
---
The Unexpected Call
At noon, Alina's phone buzzed.
> Incoming Call: Adrian Vale
She stared at the screen, surprised. They never called. They emailed, or at most, exchanged curt texts.
She hesitated, then answered. "Mr. Vale?"
His voice came through low and calm. "Ms. Ross. Just checking in."
"Checking in?"
"Yes. Heard PR handled the issue."
"You mean the issue you started?"
He chuckled. "Fair point. Still, I didn't want you thinking I enjoy being the center of gossip."
"Don't worry," she said dryly. "I already assumed you do."
"Not this kind."
There was silence — the kind that hummed with unspoken things.
Finally, he said, "Look, I didn't mean to make things uncomfortable. You didn't deserve that."
Her breath hitched. He sounded… genuine.
"It's fine," she murmured. "I've been through worse."
"That doesn't make it acceptable."
"Why are you being nice all of a sudden?" she blurted before she could stop herself.
He laughed softly. "Don't get used to it."
"Too late," she said without thinking — then instantly regretted it.
He paused. "Was that a compliment, Ms. Ross?"
"Goodbye, Mr. Vale," she said quickly, hanging up before he could reply.
But her heart wouldn't stop racing.
---
Office Tension
That afternoon, both companies gathered again for a status update. The air was… different. The laughter and teasing from yesterday were gone — replaced by a quiet, awkward respect.
When Alina entered the room, people actually stood a little straighter.
She noticed Adrian across the table. He gave her the faintest nod.
She hesitated, then nodded back.
Throughout the meeting, they worked seamlessly — trading ideas, balancing each other's perspectives without a single clash. It was unnervingly smooth, like the universe had decided to give them a break.
Halfway through, Sophie leaned toward Liam and whispered, "They're being too professional. It's scary."
Liam nodded. "It's the calm before the storm."
---
Coffee Break Confessions
After the meeting, Alina went to the break room to clear her head. She poured herself coffee, only to realize someone else was already there.
Adrian.
Of course.
"Ms. Ross," he greeted.
"Mr. Vale," she said evenly.
He leaned against the counter, watching her stir sugar into her cup. "You're quieter than usual."
"I'm processing."
"Processing what?"
"That I'm still working with someone who thinks PR damage control counts as an apology."
He smirked. "Would you prefer a written one?"
"Would you actually write it?"
"Probably not."
She laughed — quietly, but it happened.
He blinked, genuinely surprised. "Was that… a laugh?"
"Don't get used to it," she said, echoing his earlier words.
He smiled. "Touché."
They stood there for a moment, silence stretching comfortably this time.
Then Adrian said, softer than before, "You know, the rumor wasn't entirely wrong."
Alina froze. "Excuse me?"
He met her gaze, eyes steady. "We do work better together."
Her heartbeat stuttered.
She opened her mouth to reply — but before she could, Sophie barged in.
"Oh, there you are! Thank god. Both of you."
Adrian straightened instantly. "Something wrong?"
Sophie looked between them, smirking faintly. "Not yet. But the joint press interview was just moved up. To tomorrow morning."
"What?!" Alina exclaimed.
"Oh, it gets better," Sophie added. "They want you both together — to show 'collaborative unity.'"
Adrian muttered, "Perfect."
Alina groaned. "We're doomed."
---
Evening Doubts
That night, Alina sat by her apartment window, watching city lights flicker across the skyline.
Sophie's words echoed in her mind. "You'll have to face him again tomorrow — in front of cameras."
Why did that make her heart beat faster?
She told herself it was nerves. Professional anxiety. Nothing more.
But deep down, she knew the truth — it wasn't the cameras that scared her. It was how real everything felt when he looked at her like that.
---
Across the City
Adrian was having a similar problem.
He'd tried to distract himself with numbers, with data, with anything that wasn't Alina Ross's sharp tongue and sharper smile.
But the memory of her laugh — that brief, involuntary sound — kept looping in his head.
Liam entered the room, tossing a file onto his desk. "Tomorrow's press lineup."
Adrian nodded absently.
"You okay?"
"Fine."
"You sure? You've been staring at that same report for ten minutes."
Adrian sighed. "Liam, if you say one word about Alina Ross—"
Liam held up his hands. "Didn't say her name."
Adrian gave him a look.
Liam grinned. "Yet."
---
The Night Before
Both of them barely slept.
Alina rehearsed answers in front of her mirror — calm, neutral, diplomatic. She practiced smiling without looking too fake.
Adrian reviewed briefing notes, already anticipating every possible PR question.
Neither of them admitted that what they were really worried about was each other.
---
The Morning of the Interview
The next morning came too soon.
Cameras, reporters, stylists, and PR handlers filled the studio. The atmosphere buzzed with nervous energy.
Alina arrived first, stunning in a charcoal suit and calm composure.
Then Adrian entered — sharp, confident, in his signature black.
The moment their eyes met, the noise around them faded for a second.
"You ready?" he asked quietly.
"No," she said honestly.
He smiled faintly. "Good. Me neither."
The PR manager clapped her hands. "Places, please!"
They sat side by side under the lights.
And for the first time, they weren't rivals. Not enemies. Not even reluctant allies.
They were something… in between.
---
As the Cameras Rolled
The interviewer smiled. "So, Mr. Vale, Ms. Ross — the internet seems quite interested in your partnership."
Adrian's lips twitched. "I've noticed."
Alina tried not to roll her eyes.
The interviewer continued, "Would you say the rumors of a rivalry are true?"
Alina leaned forward slightly. "Let's just say our rivalry keeps things interesting."
Adrian added, "And productive."
The crowd chuckled softly.
The interviewer nodded. "So, no bad blood?"
Adrian glanced at Alina. "Only the healthy kind."
She met his gaze — calm, challenging, amused.
And for a brief second, the chemistry was undeniable again.
The interviewer grinned. "Looks like you two make quite the team."
Adrian said, "You have no idea."
---
As the cameras flashed, Alina fought to keep her composure.
But deep down, she already knew something had shifted — permanently.
Because this wasn't just damage control anymore.
It was the beginning of something neither of them could name — and both were already too far in to stop.