Maya's third day at Cole Towers began like any other: the hum of elevators, the clatter of heels on polished floors, the low murmur of employees scurrying past. Yet, a strange anticipation pulled at her chest. Something felt different. She couldn't shake the feeling that Adrian Cole's world was about to collide with hers in ways she wasn't prepared for.
She stepped into his office to find him already standing by the window, arms crossed, staring at the city skyline as if trying to will it to obey him.
"Morning," she said cautiously.
Adrian didn't reply immediately. His sharp gaze finally fell on her, and Maya felt it pierce through her like an unexpected chill.
"Sit," he said, voice calm but commanding.
Maya obeyed. Her heart beat a little faster than usual. She had grown used to his presence over the last few days, but today, it felt heavier — almost personal.
He tossed a folder onto her desk. "This came in from the legal team. I want a summary, but make it concise. One page. Highlight risks. Prioritize clarity."
Maya opened the folder and quickly scanned the documents. Contracts, clauses, numbers… all perfectly aligned, except for one. Her eyes caught a small footnote buried deep in the middle — a note that suggested potential fraud in one of their key acquisitions.
Her stomach tightened. This was bigger than minor errors or discrepancies. If Adrian didn't catch this soon, the consequences could be severe.
She glanced up at him, but he was already watching her. That cold, unreadable stare. He seemed to sense her hesitation.
"Something wrong?" he asked.
Maya shook her head quickly. "No… just noticing a… potential risk."
Adrian's eyebrows shot up. "Go on."
She pointed to the footnote. "This clause… it implies that one of the partners could be misreporting assets. If we don't review this carefully, it could affect the deal."
Adrian's expression didn't change. He leaned back, steepling his fingers. "Interesting," he murmured.
Maya's pulse raced. Most people would have panicked. Most assistants would have waited for someone else to notice. But she couldn't. She had to be decisive.
"Should I investigate further?" she asked.
He finally gave a slight nod. "Yes. I want a report on my desk before 6 PM. Make it thorough. I trust you won't miss anything."
Maya nodded, swallowing hard. She wasn't sure if "trust" was a compliment or a test. But one thing was clear: this was her chance to prove herself.
The rest of the morning passed in a blur. Maya combed through documents, cross-referenced reports, and made notes with precision. Every time she looked up, Adrian was there — always observing, never interfering, yet never leaving her alone.
By mid-afternoon, exhaustion was beginning to seep in. Her hands ached, her eyes burned, but she didn't dare stop. Just when she thought she might collapse at her desk, Adrian's voice cut through the quiet.
"Reed," he said. Maya looked up. "Come here."
She approached cautiously.
He gestured to a small file he had pulled from his drawer. "Read this. Then tell me what it means."
It was a personal letter, not business-related. The handwriting was familiar, but the words were cryptic — a warning, a plea, and a hint of betrayal.
Maya frowned. "This… this seems personal."
Adrian didn't answer immediately. He watched her, eyes narrowing, as though testing how much she could handle.
Finally, he said, "It is. And yet, it affects the company. That's why you need to understand it."
Maya swallowed. She realized that working for Adrian Cole wasn't just about paperwork or contracts. It was about navigating secrets — his secrets, the company's secrets, and now… hers, whether she knew it yet or not.
For the first time, Maya felt a strange pull — a mixture of fear and curiosity. Adrian Cole was more than a boss. He was a storm, and she was standing directly in its path.
And storms, she had learned, left marks.