Chapter four
~ELANA ~
“I won’t bore you more than I already have. I’ll see you next Tuesday.” Professor Harold claps, signaling the end of his class. He always does that, then urges people to stay after class to ask him their burning questions. Not me; I don’t have time for the professor’s life stories today.
It’s been five days since my ‘reunion’ with Adrian. I’m starting my internship at Morgan Investments today, but as nervous as I am about it, moving into Adrian’s home terrifies me even more.
I gather my books, trying to blend in with the flood of students pouring out of the lecture hall.
The college courtyard is buzzing with activity, students chatting and rushing to their next classes, and then there’s me, wondering how on earth I ended up interning for my childhood crush and moving into his home.
I wonder what his place is like. Will it be adorned with opulent furniture or resemble a complete bachelor’s lair?
The thought has me shaking my head. I doubt I’d find even a stray sock on the floor of Adrian’s apartment.
He’s always been a neat freak, even as a hormonal teenager.
Lilly suddenly emerges from the crowd, her high-pitched voice impossible to miss.
“Elana!” she calls out, waving wildly.
“I was wondering where you are.” I smile, relieved to see that she’s decided to attend classes today. Despite her attendance being patchy at best, she hasn’t failed a single class.
“I was hoping I’d catch you before your first day in the corporate jungle.” She catches up to me, linking arms. “I bet you can’t wait to see Adrian again.” I haven’t told her about the move-in yet, hoping Ethan might change his mind at the last second.
“Oh, I’m thrilled.” I roll my eyes, chuckling. “I can’t wait to dive into the amazing opportunity to bring Adrian coffee cause I’m sure that’s all I’ll be allowed to do.” I spot an empty table and quicken my pace.
“You seem on edge.” Lilly lets go of my arm and sits on the edge of the table.
“Me?” I feign innocence, but my wandering thoughts betray my attempt at composure. Adrian’s face flashes in my mind. Those piercing gray eyes and the how his presence fills a room, pinning you in place. “Yeah, just nerves, I guess.”
“I think it’s called excitement.” Lilly grins mischievously.
“The body doesn’t know the difference.” I shrug with a sigh. “Whatever, it’s just an internship.”
“Say what you want, but I know when you’re smitten.” She gives me a knowing look.
Before I can argue, a voice interrupts us. “Mind if I join you two lovely ladies?”
We turn to find Bryan, one of Carson’s friends, swaggering towards us. He throws his jacket over his broad shoulders and smiles.
Lilly shoots him a glare. “Actually, we do mind unless you got some pudding from the cafeteria. Move it along, Bryan.” Lilly and Bryan hooked up at a party a couple of months ago, so there’s been some weird tension between them ever since.
“Oh, come on.” Bryan smirks, undeterred. “I just wanted to ask Elana if Carson is as good a fuck as he claims.”
“Why don’t you find out for yourself?” Lilly snaps back as she fetches an apple from her bag.
“Feisty.” Bryan grins and runs a hand through his curly brown hair. “Seriously, I didn’t think you’d actually let Carson in your pants.”
My cheeks flush with embarrassment. “What Carson claims and what’s reality are light years apart, Bryan.”
“Oh, get lost.” Lilly rolls her eyes. “Elana doesn’t have time for your nonsense today.”
Bryan chuckles and starts rummaging through his backpack, the muscles on his forearm dancing.
“For the record,” he leans towards me as he places a small pudding cup on the table next to Lilly, “I know he’s lying.
” He pulls back, taking Lilly’s apple on the way.
“I’m a much better option, anyway.” He winks at Lilly, taking a bite. “See you around.”
I scoff as he walks away. Bryan doesn’t share any of the qualities Carson possesses. He’s outgoing and friendly. I might even say that he’s actually nice. So why the hell are they friends?
“Don’t let Carson ruin your first day at work.” Lilly puts a reassuring hand on my shoulder, and I see that she already has the pudding in her hand. “I’m going to get a spoon for the pudding. Do you need anything?”
“No, thanks.” I shake my head as she pushes herself off the table.
As Lilly heads back into the building to grab a spoon for the unexpected pudding Bryan bestowed upon her, I find myself wondering if Adrian will be as intimidating as the last time I saw him. Will he look at me like that again? Like he wants to burn a hole through me?
Something casts a shadow over my salad, and I look up. Light hair, hazel eyes, and a smirk. Carson. He slides into the seat across from me, uninvited and unwelcome. Fuck.
“This seat is taken.” I back up and fold my arms over my chest.
“Still playing hard to get, huh?” When I don’t answer, he scoffs, his gaze lingering on me. “Stop being a bitch and smile.”
I roll my eyes. “Stop being a crybaby. Move on, Carson. We’re done.”
His smirk widens, displaying an arrogance that makes my skin crawl. “Done? Baby, you don’t really believe that, do you? Just because you got a little angry doesn’t mean we’re done. We were just taking a break. I honestly thought you’d come to your senses by now.”
“Well, it seems you underestimated me.” I quickly grab my salad and begin to scoot out of the seat when his hand clams down over my wrist. “Let me go,” I say through gritted teeth.
His eyes narrow, and he leans in, lowering his voice to a menacing whisper. “Do you think you can just walk away from me? You can’t, Elana. You can't escape that easily.”
My jaw clenches, and I shoot a glance around, hoping Lilly returns soon. The courtyard seems oblivious to what’s happening, and Lilly is nowhere to be found.
“Carson, get your hand off.”
Just as I'm about to stab his hand with my fork, Bryan reappears from behind me, holding a spoon and an extra pudding cup. He glances at Carson, and his eyes go down to his hand over my wrist.
“Everything okay here?” Bryan’s tone is calm, but there’s a firmness in his eyes.
“Just catching up with my girlfriend. Nothing that concerns you, Bryan.”
“Really?” Bryan raises an eyebrow, unimpressed. “Cause I see your hand over her wrist.” Carson finally lets me go and turns to look at Bryan, who is shaking his head. “Have some dignity, Carson.”
Carson shoots me a venomous look before standing. “You’re right. I have better things to do than waste my time with you.” He gives me one last warning glare before sauntering away.
In the backseat of the taxi, on my way to Morgan Investments, Adrian and the impending first day dominate my thoughts—Hell, my whole body. As we near the towering glass buildings, my palms grow clammy, and I feel a fluttering in my stomach that refuses to subside.
Get a grip.
My entire body seems to shake with nervous energy, and I only feel it once the pain in my muscles takes over. I take a deep breath, attempting to steady myself, but my chest tightens. The anxiety courses through me, manifesting physically until my whole body trembles. Why am I so nervous?
I glance out the window, hoping the distraction will calm my racing thoughts. The cityscape rushes by, a blur of towering buildings and flashing lights. The pain in my chest intensifies, a sharp ache that doesn’t go away. What is he going to be like now that Ethan won’t be there?
“Deep breaths,” I mutter to myself, attempting to regain control.
“I’m sorry?” The driver turns his head momentarily.
“Oh, I was just saying you can pull over right next to that SUV.”
It’s just an internship. It’s nothing to be this worked up about. Yet, the anticipation of facing Adrian continues to gnaw at my composure. The taxi comes to a halt.
“That’ll be thirty-three dollars, miss.” The driver turns to face me.
Thirty-three dollars? I wince at the fare, realizing I should have taken the bus instead of a taxi as I pay the driver.
“Have a nice day.” I reluctantly pull myself together, mustering the courage to step out. The driver mutters out a response as I close the door.
Only when I hear the taxi drive off do I realize that I’m frozen in place. The imposing facade of Morgan Investments looms above me, and the bustling courtyard feels like a maze of well-dressed professionals, just like yesterday.
It’s just like the first day of college, Elana. You’ll be fine.
I navigate through the crowd, my gaze briefly catching the cafe where the memory of spilling coffee on myself flashes in my mind. A small cringe tugs at my lips, but I keep moving, weaving through the people.
I push through the main building's revolving glass doors. The air inside is crisp, and the scent of polished wood and faint cologne envelops me. With each step, my nerves intensify. The mere thought of facing Adrian today without Ethan sends shivers down my spine.
I head to the front desk, where a sharply dressed woman glances up from her computer.
“Hello, ma’am. Can I help you?” she asks, her tone professional.
I clear my throat, fighting to steady my voice. “I’m the new intern, Elana Turner. They should be expecting me.” I smile at the lady, but she merely nods, uninterested.
“Top floor, Adrian Morgan’s office. His assistant will help you,” she replies, her gaze returning to the computer screen.
I mumble a quick thanks, my nerves now reaching a crescendo.
At least I remember how to get there. My body leads me to the elevators, but my mind is filled with thoughts of Adrian sitting at his desk, waiting for me.
The anticipation gnaws at me, and I can’t shake the image of his intense gray eyes.
The elevator doors slide open, and I step inside.
As the lift ascends, my reflection in the mirrored walls appears just as shaky as my nerves.
I straighten my dress and smooth out my hair.
When the elevator finally reaches the top floor, I take a fortifying breath.
The hallway leading to Adrian’s office stretches ahead, and my heart pounds in my chest. I approach the front desk on the top floor, where I find the two girls from yesterday typing away at their computers.
The nice one, Melissa, looks up with a professional smile on her face.
“Good morning, Ms. Turner. It’s good to see you again. Mr. Morgan is in a meeting but should be available shortly. Can I get you anything while you wait? Maybe some coffee or tea?”
“Good morning. A cup of tea sounds lovely, thank you,” I reply, attempting to match her professionalism. I don’t really need anything, but having something in my hands is better than fidgeting.
“Bethany, could you fetch a cup of tea for Elana?” Melissa turns to Bethany, the younger assistant from yesterday.
Bethany eyes me with the same look of condescension from yesterday. “Sure, I’ll get it right away.” She flounces off to another room, leaving me with Melissa.
“Thank you, Melissa,” I say with a genuine smile.
“No problem at all. Make yourself comfortable.” She waves at the small sitting area next to the floor-to-ceiling windows.
“Mr. Morgan will return shortly.” Melissa returns to her work, and I walk over to the plush couch.
I sit, trying to appear unfazed, but I’m aware I’m focused on the elevator from the corner of my eye.
As I wait for the tea, I can’t help but wonder why Bethany seems to have taken an instant dislike to me. Maybe she has a radar for new competition. I shake off the thought, reminding myself I’m here for Ethan’s peace of mind, not to win a popularity contest.
Bethany returns with a steaming porcelain cup and a saucer, placing it on the coffee table with a smug expression.
“Here’s your tea. I wasn’t invited to Mr. Morgan’s office when I started my internship, but I hope you’re not expecting any special treatment from him from now on.”
I raise an eyebrow. She’s definitely trying to ruffle my feathers.
“No special treatment needed. I’m here to work, not to cozy up to anyone.” I take a sip, maintaining eye contact. “Thanks for the tea.”
She smiles coldly and walks away, muttering something under her breath. I can’t quite catch the words, but I doubt they’re friendly. It seems I’ve already made enemies.
As I stare out the window into the courtyard, the soft chime of the elevator resonates through the office floor.
I stiffen. The doors slide open just as I turn my head.
Adrian steps out, his presence full of authority.
The air seems to shift as he strides towards me, exuding a confidence that commands attention.
“Mr. Morgan!” Bethany jumps out of her seat with the stupidest grin. Ah, so that’s how it is. Is he sleeping with her? The thought makes my stomach churn. Adrian nods in her direction and undoes a button on his black blazer. Suddenly, his stern eyes find mine, and I take a deep breath.