Chapter 3: Tension and Unspoken Desires

Lily had barely set foot inside Blackwood Enterprises the next morning when she felt it.

A shift in the air.

A presence.

She glanced up from the documents in her arms—and there he was.

Adrian Blackwood.

Standing near the conference room, coffee in hand, engaged in a low conversation with a few board members. But his attention wasn’t on them.

It was on her.

His gaze lingered a fraction too long, and something in her stomach tightened.

She forced herself to look away, pretending she hadn’t noticed.

She had spent most of last night trying not to think about him. About that moment at the restaurant. About the way he’d looked at her as if she were a puzzle he couldn’t quite solve.

And now, she had to spend another day in his orbit.

She exhaled. Game face on.

Lily set her things down at her desk, barely seated before Veronica appeared with a knowing smirk.

“So. The boss is looking at you differently.”

Lily rolled her eyes. “He’s probably plotting my demise.”

Veronica chuckled, dropping a stack of files in front of her. “Trust me. If Adrian wanted you gone, you’d be gone.”

Lily frowned. “Then what does he want?”

Veronica arched a perfectly shaped brow. “You tell me.”

Lily didn’t answer. The truth was—she had no idea.

By mid-morning, Lily was knee-deep in paperwork when an email popped up.

Subject: Meeting – 11 AM

From: Adrian Blackwood

Her stomach twisted.

Why was he emailing her directly? He never did that.

And why was she expected in an executive meeting?

Veronica glanced at her screen, then smirked. “Well, well. Someone’s moving up in the world.”

Lily shook her head. “It’s probably another test.”

“Well,” Veronica said, “let’s hope you pass.”

At 10:55, she stepped into the boardroom and found Adrian already at the head of the long mahogany table.

She swallowed.

He looked infuriatingly effortless—tailored suit, sleeves slightly rolled up. But his expression was unreadable. Cold. Calculating.

Executives filtered in, filling the room quickly.

Then, the meeting began.

Adrian spoke, his voice smooth and commanding, laying out the details of an upcoming merger. Lily focused, taking notes, trying to keep up—until his voice cut through the air.

“Miss Hart.”

Her breath hitched. “Yes?”

His grey eyes locked onto hers.

“Your thoughts?”

The room fell silent.

Her pulse jumped. This wasn’t in her job description. She was there to observe, not to speak.

But Adrian was waiting. Expectant. Testing her.

Her hands tightened around her pen.

She could crash and burn, or she could prove him wrong.

She exhaled.

“Well,” she said, voice steady, “the proposal looks solid, but the risk assessment seems overly cautious. Given Blackwood Enterprises’ current leverage, a more aggressive strategy might yield better returns.”

The silence stretched.

Then Adrian hummed.

“Interesting.”

His lips curved slightly, but his eyes gleamed with something unreadable.

Lily’s chest rose and fell, her heart hammering.

Did she just pass his test?

Or did she just make things worse?

The meeting ended. People filed out, but before Lily could escape, his low voice stopped her.

“Stay.”

She froze.

Slowly, she turned around.

Adrian stood, adjusting his cufflinks, looking at her like she was a problem that needed solving.

“You’re bold,” he murmured.

Lily lifted her chin. “You asked for my opinion. I gave it.”

His lips twitched. “Most people wouldn’t challenge me in front of my board.”

“I’m not most people.”

A beat of silence. A silent battle of wills.

Then he spoke.

“Good,” he said. “Because I hate people who waste my time.”

Lily swallowed.

Was that approval? Or something else entirely?

Whatever it was, one thing was clear.

Adrian Blackwood had stopped underestimating her.

And that felt just as dangerous as his disapproval.

That afternoon, Lily sat at her desk when her phone buzzed.

An email. From him.

Subject:bYou overstepped.

Her stomach clenched.

She typed out a response.

Lily: I answered the question you asked.

Seconds later, a reply came.

Adrian: You spoke as if you had authority. You don’t.

Lily rolled her eyes.

Lily: Then don’t ask me next time.

A minute passed. Then another response.

Adrian: You think you have me figured out, Miss Hart?

She hesitated.

Lily: No. But I think you like playing games.

A pause.

Then—

Adrian: Be careful what you assume.

Lily’s heart pounded.

She had poked the beast.

And she wasn’t sure if she had won or lost.

By 6 PM, the office was quiet.

Lily packed her things, ready to leave—until a shadow fell over her desk.

Adrian. Standing a bit too close.

Her breath caught in her throat.

His voice was low. “Still convinced this isn’t a game?”

She swallowed. “What do you think it is?”

His gaze dropped to her lips.

For one breathless second, the air turned electric.

Then, just as suddenly, he stepped back.

“Go home, Miss Hart.”

And just like that, he walked away.

Leaving her breathless, confused, and dangerously intrigued.