The conference room buzzed with anticipation. Department heads shuffled papers, interns whispered nervously, and the projector hummed faintly. Elena stood at the front, her palms damp against the notes she clutched. It was her first major presentation, and the weight of expectation pressed heavily on her shoulders.
She glanced toward the back of the room. Adrian was there, calm and composed, his expression unreadable. He didn't hover, didn't fuss, but his quiet presence steadied her more than she wanted to admit.
Marcus Wu sat off to the side, gripping his pen like a lifeline. If she falters and Adrian helps too much, the disguise will crack. If he doesn't help at all, she'll stumble. Either way, I'm doomed.
Elena cleared her throat. "Good morning, everyone. Today I'll be presenting the expense breakdown for the upcoming client project."
The first slide appeared on the screen. She explained the figures, highlighted the key points, and answered questions with growing confidence. At first, her voice trembled, but gradually it steadied.
One manager leaned forward, impressed. "Well done, Miss Li. Your analysis is clear."
Elena's cheeks warmed. "Thank you."
From the back, Adrian allowed himself a faint smile. He didn't move, didn't interfere, but his eyes followed her every step, ready to act if needed.
Halfway through, the projector froze. The slide stuck mid‑sentence, and Elena's heart raced. She tapped the remote, but nothing worked.
Adrian stepped forward calmly, adjusted the cable, pressed a button, and the screen flickered back to life. He didn't say a word, simply returned to his place at the back.
Elena exhaled, relieved. "As I was saying…" She continued smoothly, regaining her rhythm.
Marcus nearly fainted. Too smooth. Too capable. If anyone notices how easily he fixed that, they'll suspect. I'll die of a heart attack before this charade ends.
By the end of the presentation, the managers applauded. Elena smiled, her confidence glowing. "Thank you for your time."
As the room emptied, whispers began again. "Her assistant is remarkable," one colleague murmured. "Did you see how quickly he fixed the projector? He's not just ordinary."
Elena overheard, her cheeks warming. She glanced at Adrian, who was calmly gathering her notes. Why does everyone notice him so much?
Later, in the hallway, Marcus cornered Adrian. "Sir, you can't keep doing things so perfectly. People are talking. They think you're too skilled for an assistant."
Adrian's tone was calm. "I only did what was necessary. She needed the projector working."
Marcus groaned. "Necessary? You fixed it in two seconds. Normal assistants fumble for five minutes. You're going to expose yourself!"
Adrian chuckled softly. "Relax, Marcus. She did well today. That's what matters."
That evening, Elena walked out of the office, her bag heavy but her heart light. She had survived her first big presentation. As she stepped onto the quiet road, a familiar car slowed beside her.
The window rolled down, and Adrian's voice called gently, "Miss Li. Let me take you home."
She blinked, startled. "You again?"
He smiled faintly. "You worked hard today. It's safer if I drive you."
She hesitated, then nodded. "Alright."
Inside the car, the silence was comfortable. Elena glanced at him, her voice soft. "Thank you. For fixing the projector. And… for being there."
Adrian kept his eyes on the road, his tone calm. "You did well today. I only helped a little."
Her lips curved into a small smile. "You're strange."
He chuckled softly. "Maybe. But I'll keep being strange if it means you feel safe."
The car glided through the quiet streets, carrying them toward her home. For Elena, it was a victory. For Adrian, it was another step in keeping his promise. And for Marcus, somewhere in the background, it was another day of sheer terror—watching his boss play assistant, technician, and chauffeur all at once.