The morning after the interview, Alina Ross felt like she'd been caught in a whirlwind she didn't know she signed up for.
Her phone buzzed incessantly with notifications: internal messages, colleagues tagging her in comments, fans discussing the interview clips online. Even her assistant Sophie couldn't keep up.
"Relax, boss," Sophie said, scrolling on her tablet with a smirk. "You're trending. Again. And apparently, you and Adrian Vale are now the 'power duo to watch.'"
Alina groaned, rubbing her temples. "Again? We just got through one trending disaster yesterday."
Sophie shrugged. "Don't shoot the messenger. Honestly, I think people love your dynamic more than you realize."
Dynamic. That word struck her. Dynamic. Not rivalry, not enemies, not adversaries. Dynamic.
She stared at the ceiling, trying to breathe. Adrian Vale. His calm smile, the teasing tone, the way he always seemed two steps ahead — even now, after the interview, after the PR firestorm, she couldn't stop thinking about him.
---
Office Repercussions
Arriving at Aurora HQ, the atmosphere was… unusual. People weren't whispering maliciously, but their glances were sharper, lingering. Some smiled; some smirked. Every interaction seemed to carry an unspoken question: Are you two really a thing now?
Alina tried to ignore it, focusing on her notes. But then, Sophie nudged her.
"See that?" she whispered, pointing subtly at a group gathered near the coffee machine.
Alina glanced — and froze. Several colleagues were quietly imitating Adrian's and her gestures from the interview, mimicking the subtle interactions, the brushes of hands, the glances.
"Oh, for the love of…" she muttered, shoving Sophie's shoulder lightly.
Sophie grinned. "You're flustered. Admit it."
"I am not flustered."
"You totally are," Sophie replied, perfectly confident. "And don't try to hide it. Everyone saw it yesterday."
Alina groaned and made her way to her desk, determined to ignore the teasing… though the warmth rising in her chest made her question her own composure.
---
Adrian's Side
Across town at Vale Enterprises, Adrian faced a similar situation. He tried to hide behind reports, market analysis, and emails, but nothing could mask the way his colleagues smirked whenever his name came up.
Liam, of course, was enjoying the chaos.
"You know, they're actually shipping you two harder than before," Liam said, scrolling on his tablet. "Fans, coworkers, even investors. #ValeRoss is now trending in the corporate newsletter."
Adrian pinched the bridge of his nose. "I hate social media."
"You don't hate it," Liam replied easily. "You hate them noticing you're… reacting."
Adrian gave him a sharp look. "I do not react."
Liam smirked knowingly. "Sure, boss. And that calm, slightly amused glance yesterday? Completely professional?"
Adrian didn't answer.
---
Uncomfortable Encounters
By late morning, the two were scheduled to meet for a project review. Both teams arrived early, filling the room with nervous energy.
Alina took her seat, clipboard in hand, trying to ignore the faint flutter in her stomach whenever Adrian walked past.
He settled opposite her, perfectly composed. His expression was neutral, professional — yet every subtle glance, every shift in posture, carried meaning.
The assistants, Sophie and Liam, sat discreetly nearby. Both looked way too pleased with themselves.
"Ready?" Adrian asked, voice low enough only for her to hear.
She squared her shoulders. "Always."
He smirked faintly. "Good to know."
---
The First Glance
As the meeting began, small gestures became amplified.
Adrian pushed a document across the table, fingers brushing hers for just a second. She quickly pulled back, cheeks warming.
He noticed. Of course he noticed. His lips curved into that faint, knowing smile, as if silently enjoying the effect he had on her.
She hated him for it. And hated herself for noticing.
Sophie whispered under her breath, "You're blushing again."
Alina glared. "Quiet."
---
Subtle Teasing
Halfway through the discussion, Adrian leaned slightly closer to comment on a chart.
"You might want to adjust this projection," he said, voice soft, almost conspiratorial.
She looked up, and for the briefest moment, their eyes met.
"Why do you always sound so… calm?" she asked, trying to hide the flutter in her chest.
"Why do you always sound so… tense?" he replied smoothly.
Her pulse quickened. "I'm not tense."
"Of course not," he said, eyes glinting, tone teasing.
She wanted to hit him with a pen. Instead, she took a deep breath and focused on the charts.
---
Private Realizations
After the meeting, Alina stayed late to review notes. Adrian's office door was open, and she saw him leaning back, reviewing reports.
The faint evening light caught his profile. For a moment, she let herself imagine what it would be like if he wasn't… Adrian Vale.
Not her rival. Not the infuriating man who always one-upped her. Just him.
She shook her head, frustrated. Stop it. Stop thinking.
But she didn't.
---
Sophie's Observation
Sophie lingered behind her desk, pretending to organize files. She caught every subtle gesture, every pause, every stolen glance.
"Yep," she whispered to herself. "They're both falling, just not admitting it yet."
Alina groaned from her corner. "What was that?"
"Nothing," Sophie said cheerfully. "Carry on."
She made a mental note to keep nudging them — slowly, carefully, without either realizing.
---
Adrian's Quiet Moment
Later, Adrian walked back to his apartment, reflecting on the day.
The interview, the internal gossip, the trending hashtag — none of it mattered.
All he could think about was her.
The way she'd brushed her hair back mid-discussion, the way her eyes had darted toward him during the meeting, the subtle tension she carried even when she tried to appear composed.
She's trying so hard not to notice me. And I love that she's trying.
A small smile tugged at his lips.
---
The End of the Day
By the time Alina finally left the office, the city lights were glowing softly through the streets. She felt exhausted, drained — yet inexplicably alive.
Her phone buzzed. No new messages from Adrian.
She wanted to feel relief. Instead, there was a faint pang of… disappointment.
Back in her apartment, she poured tea and sank into her chair. Her reflection in the window caught her eye — and for the first time, she allowed herself to admit something:
Maybe this rivalry isn't just rivalry anymore.
And somewhere across the city, Adrian Vale was having the same thought — quietly, privately, and unwilling to admit it to anyone.
---