After the dinner and the question Adrian had thrown at Cindy the night before, something felt different—unsettling in a way she could not yet name. It lingered in her thoughts like unfinished business. Adrian was no longer just her boss in the rigid, distant way she had carefully categorized him in her mind. He was drawing closer, inch by inch, and Cindy could feel it clearly now. This was becoming more than an office relationship, more than professional boundaries neatly drawn on paper.
The next morning, Cindy arrived at work early as usual. She prepared Adrian's coffee exactly the way he liked it—no sugar, a splash of cream, not too hot—and placed it carefully on his desk before retreating to her office to submit the paperwork she had been working on the previous day. She told herself to stay focused. Professional. Calm. Whatever she was sensing was irrelevant. Or so she hoped.
When Adrian arrived, he barely glanced around before reaching for the coffee. He took a long gulp, set the cup down, and sat in his chair. Cindy was already halfway through her tasks when she noticed that his laptop was acting up—its screen flickering slightly, the cursor freezing.
She didn't hesitate. Cindy called the IT department immediately.
A few minutes later, the IT staff arrived, and Adrian leaned back in his chair while Cindy and the technician attended to the laptop. Cindy stood close to the desk, pointing out the issue, fully immersed in the problem. She didn't notice Adrian's gaze at first.
But Adrian noticed everything.
He watched how focused she was, how her brows furrowed slightly as she listened, how she barely reacted to anything else around her. She didn't fidget. She didn't seek approval. She was simply… competent. Calm. Grounded.
How can someone be this focused? Adrian wondered. She barely gets distracted.
When the issue was resolved, Cindy straightened and turned to him.
"Sir, you can resume your work now. The laptop is fixed."
Adrian didn't respond.
He just stared at her.
Cindy shifted slightly, confused by the silence, then nodded politely and left his office. Adrian remained seated, watching the door long after it closed. He exhaled slowly and turned back to his screen, trying—and failing—to refocus.
He noticed it more now. How Cindy anticipated his needs before he asked. His schedule was always perfectly arranged. Meetings never clashed. Documents appeared on his desk before he remembered requesting them. Even his coffee arrived at the exact moment he needed it.
After Cindy left, two hours passed quietly.
Then Adrian needed a file.
He searched through his drawer once. Then again. His jaw tightened.
He picked up the phone and dialed Floral's extension.
"Where is the aluminium contract file?" Adrian asked coldly. "I told you to send the hard copy to Cindy yesterday."
Floral froze on the other end of the line. Her heart pounded as panic crept in.
"I—I'm not sure, sir," she stammered. "I might have misplaced it… or maybe I left it at home."
Adrian's patience thinned instantly.
Before he could respond sharply, he paused, then pressed another button.
"Send Cindy in," he said.
Moments later, Cindy entered his office.
"Cindy," Adrian said, his tone calmer now, "do you still remember how you drafted the aluminium company's contract?"
"Yes, sir," Cindy replied without hesitation. "I have the soft copy. Is everything okay?"
"Please print it out. The company is coming for a signature tomorrow."
"Yes, sir."
"Thank you," Adrian added, a subtle note of appreciation in his voice.
Cindy nodded and left. Floral released a shaky breath in relief as Adrian dismissed her.
As Cindy walked back to her office, she caught snippets of whispered conversations.
"Adrian is becoming too comfortable around Cindy…"
"Maybe they're dating."
"Or mating."
Cindy heard it all. She didn't flinch. She didn't react. She had been nothing but professional, and she knew it. Gossip had no power over her focus.
She sat down and began printing the documents, reviewing them carefully.
That was when her phone rang.
"Cindy," Adrian said, "I need your help with a delivery."
"Yes, sir?"
"I need you to deliver a gift to my mother. She's been calling and texting me all day, insisting I visit, but I have too much work. My driver will take you."
Cindy blinked, momentarily stunned.
A delivery? To his mother?
"That… wasn't in her job description," her mind whispered.
But she straightened her shoulders.
"Okay, sir," she said calmly. "Where are the gifts?"
"You'll buy them on your way. She loves rose flowers. Get her a pack of chocolates. And a Birkin bag."
Cindy's eyes widened slightly.
"I'm sure you'll make a great choice," Adrian added.
Trust.
That was what it was.
Cindy felt a strange mix of shock and warmth. He trusted her—with his mother's gift. With his credit card.
Adrian handed her the card, and Cindy left immediately. Just as she was about to step out of the building, Adrian called her back.
"Cindy," he said, hesitating briefly, "please come back to the office after the delivery."
Cindy glanced at the time. She knew she would return late.
"Okay, sir," she replied softly and left.
The drive was long, but Cindy was efficient. She bought the flowers, the chocolates, and chose the bag carefully, imagining what Adrian's mother might like. The delivery went smoothly, and she didn't linger.
Three hours later, at exactly 7 p.m., Cindy returned to the office.
Adrian was still there.
"Good evening, sir," Cindy greeted.
Adrian looked up in surprise. "You're back already. I didn't expect you so soon."
"Yes, sir," Cindy replied, handing him his credit card. "Your driver said the same thing. I didn't waste time at the mall."
Adrian studied her for a moment, impressed.
Cindy picked up her bag and tried booking a ride home, but Adrian stopped her.
"I'll drop you off," he said firmly.
She hesitated, then nodded. "Okay, sir."
As they drove, silence filled the car, but Cindy's thoughts were loud.
Staying invisible isn't working, she admitted to herself.
Adrian was getting closer. Trusting her with personal things. His mother. His money.
Right then, Cindy understood something she could no longer deny.
She was no longer just an employee.
And that realization frightened her more than she expected.