“Fuck!”

"Sir!" she called out in a high-pitched tone.

"Did you forget my name?" Adrian asked, still focused on the papers.

"No, just that–".

"I don't want to hear any excuses. Call me by my name, Zoey."

"Okay." She nodded.

She watched him scribbling his signature on the first document, then flipping over to the next. A mischievous plan formed in her mind the moment her gaze fell on an opened water can on his desk. If it meant losing the contract to save the company, then she was ready to do it.

She fumbled with her words each time she attempted to say something.

"Erm, Ad… Adrian." She pressed his hand against the desk, and the pen slipped out of his fingers in reflex. Then a gentle push, landing his butt on the desk.

"Zoey…" He lifted his burning gaze to her, loving the fact that she called him by his name.

Her voice could make him lose control.

He lost himself in her dreamy eyes that he didn't realize early enough that her lips were on his. She was in control. He loved that courage. His thumb ran over her lips as he leaned backwards. Diving in, he bit her lower lips, causing a soft moan to escape from her mouth.

He had almost gained access to her mouth when she pushed the water can. His chair caught the bottle after the content spilled.

"Fuck!" Adrian cursed under his breath, running his fingers through his hair. He noticed a bulge in his pants.

His cheeks flushed red, maybe with embarrassment.

"I'm sorry." Zoey yanked, acting surprised.

"No, it's not your fault. I think I pushed it. You shouldn't be the one apologizing. So, I'm sorry." Adrian apologized. He had never taken a blame in his entire life, but for Zoey, he broke the history.

"Omg! Adrian, the water got spilled on the documents."

"We will find a way out, Zoey. You can just get a cleaner." He furrowed his brows at the water can.

"Okay." Zoey said and reached out for the soaked documents.

"Where are you going with those?" He asked.

"The trash can." She answered.

He motioned her to leave, wondering why he didn't get mad at her for making him lose such a huge contract. Even if he had gotten mad, it won't have reversed a thing.

Not as if he never wanted her. He sighed.

A knock came on his door. Perhaps it was the cleaner. "Come in, please." He gazed at the door. A woman in her late forties walked in and shut the door. He admired the fact that she respected him. She had a figure, which reminded him of the memories of his mum.

He hated to think of it, but he couldn't overcome his thoughts.

The hardest part of his life was when he pretended everything was smooth. At the bottom of his heart, it shattered him as ever. It was hard to get over his traumatic experience. The pain of losing one's loved ones was heartrending. He never saw that phase coming to reality.

It was in his power to help Zoey. He knew the pain of losing a father, the potential breadwinner of the family. Also, the grief in the heart of losing both parents. He wanted no one to experience that when he could save the situation.

He promised to put a smile on everyone he met.

"Thank you, ma'am." Adrian said in gratitude as she approached the door to leave. The formality took aback her. Little did she know Adrian had the utmost respect for elderly women, as he considered them as a fellow mother.

"No, please. It's my job." She smiled at him and walked out with a table rag. His employees never knew how much he appreciated their minor efforts. They worked hard to make huge effects on the company's growth.

He walked back to his desk and threw himself on the chair. Zoey's perfume still lingered in the air, making him yearn for her presence. He wanted to take their relationship to a different level. Seeing her around made him believe in love at first sight.

He couldn't just admit it then, but now.