Chapter 94

The confidence Ashleigh had when she ordered Mr. Atkinson to get the driver fizzled as the Tixton building loomed ahead. Her palms were clammy, and her heart pounded unreasonably fast. What exactly was she doing? What was she going to say? She had no plan.....only a widening pit in her stomach and a need to see Adrian that wouldn't stop growing no matter how she tried to crush it. One more mistake and she'd look desperate. She grimaced in the back seat, chewing her bottom lip before pulling out her phone in a panic. Ashleigh: HELP, I'm panicking!! He wasn't home, so I'm going to his office. I think I've lost my mind. She stared at the screen like her life depended on it, tapping her fingers against her thigh until Arthur's three dots appeared. Arthur: OMG girl?! Didn't know you had it in you to make a move so fast.... proud of you? Ashleigh: Not a move. A disaster in motion. What do I even say to him? I'm shaking?? Arthur: First off, breathe. Second... isn't it still the weekend? Why's he even at the office? Ashleigh: I dunno, they just told me he was stressed out yesterday night and asked no one to disturb him when he left this morning. Arthur: Oooh... So you're rebelling to play the caring wifey? That's not like you. Who are you, and what have you done with my friend? Ashleigh: Shut up. Arthur: Fine, fine? Just go in there like you belong. If it's a company thing, try to help, offer support instead of snark. You said you two argue so much, so maybe a little kindness will surprise him. Ashleigh: Haha, so funny..... And if that doesn't work? Arthur: I don't know, Kiss him? Fluster him? I mean, it always works.? Her breath caught at those last words. 'Kiss him?" The thought made her insides twist with something dangerously close to anticipation. Was she really considering that? The car rolled to a stop in the underground lot, and she quickly texted a vague "I'll let you know" before sliding her phone back into her bag. 'We've arrived ma'am" the driver announced and she murmured a thank you then stepped out. The lobby was quiet except the shuffling of her feet as she walked through, with no signs of work activity. Thjs meant that contrary to Arthur's speculation, Adrian wasn't here for a company crisis. The private elevator accepted her fingerprint and the floor numbers lit up. As the doors slid shut, her chest tightened. She didn't want to admit it to herself, but a small part of her was terrified this had to do with Caelia. If it was... what would she do? The elevator doors opened to reveal Mr. Turner mid-phone call. His eyes widened when he saw her. "Never mind," he said quickly. "The Madame is here." Ashleigh eyes flickered in realization, Adrian wanted to stop her from reaching the office. 'Mrs. Cagliari," he greeted with a clipped nod. 'Good afternoon. Sir wasn't expecting you." 'I can tell," Ashleigh replied with a light smile. 'Is he inside?" Mr. Turner hesitated. 'Sir isn't receiving anyone at the moment." Ashleigh tilted her head. 'Is there anyone else scheduled to see him?" she asked sharply. 'No Ma'am ." 'Then I'll be his only interruption then." She stepped forward but he moved subtly into her path. 'He's in a... rather intense mood. He made it clear he wanted to be left alone as he is in a meeting" She sighed, exasperated but calm. 'Mr. Turner, let's not make this difficult. You and I both know I'll get in there whether you help or not." She stepped closer, lowering her voice. 'I'm not here to argue with you. But I won't be stopped." After a tense pause, Mr. Turner relented with a sigh and stepped aside. Ashleigh gave him a soft pat on the arm before walking to the door. At the threshold, she paused, took a deep breath, and pushed the door open. She squared her shoulders, steadied her breath, and entered. *************** The moment she stepped inside Adrian's office, a chill swept over her as she was swallowed by the dimness of the room. The space was too quiet, and she squinted till a moody sliver of light from the half-closed blinds fell on Adrian's silhouette. He sat behind his desk, one hand loosely holding a glass of untouched whiskey, speaking in Italian to what seemed to be people over a call in a low, composed tone. His shirt was unbuttoned, and his shirt sleeves were rolled up, exposing the his muscles. This was a side of him Ashleigh had never before, and that alone made her nerves crawl. When the door clicked shut behind her, the soft click resonated through the silence, causing him to glance up. Their eyes met, and something unspoken passed between them...... weariness, tension, pain? Before she could decipher what it was, he looked away, returning to his call and her heart squeezed. Ashleigh's heart sank. She crossed to the sofa quietly and sat, her chest tightening with every second he ignored her. Four months ago, she sat here signing a contract with a stranger she despised. Now she was here, silently wishing that same man would just look at her, and speak to her. After what felt like forever, he hung up. "Ashleigh," he said, voice neutral. 'What are you doing here?" Ashleigh swallowed hard, straightening false wrinkles as she stood up. 'You weren't home," she said simply. 'And Mr. Atkinson told me you left in a hurry this morning, looking… troubled. So I decided to come here" Adrian raised a brow. 'So you came to check in on me?" 'Yes." He sighed and leaned back in his chair, his fingers massaging his temples. 'You shouldn't have, I'm fine. You should be getting ready for your return to College tomorrow." Ashleigh folded her arms. 'I don't believe you're fine. And I'm not leaving until you tell me what's wrong." Adrian's eyes snapped to hers, dark and unreadable and he gave a humorless chuckle. 'Since when do you care?" The words struck deeper than they should have, causing Ashleigh to swallow hard. "When did she truly care?" Pushing the thought aside, she neared the desk, closing the distance between them. 'I came here because I was worried. You've been distant. You didn't reply to my message. And now this," she gestured to the whiskey. 'Is it the company? Or is it... something else?" Adrian didn't answer, but pushed the glass of whiskey away. The silence grew thick, and Ashleigh leaned slowly to meet his gaze, watching him. Her eyes flicked to his lips before she could stop herself and her mouth grew dry in response, causing her heart to skip. 'Kiss him," Arthur devilish text came as a voice thought seized her mind. She drew a breath, ready to risk it........ but Adrian beat her to it. 'It's about your stalker." The air whooshed out of her lungs. 'What?"