Chapter 4 The Game Begins

The Game Begins

Isabella

The weekend passed in a blur of nerves and preparation. By Monday morning, my stomach was a battlefield of knots as I stepped into the gleaming lobby of Sinclair Enterprises.

The marble floors were pristine, the high ceilings making the space feel both grand and intimidating. Employees in crisp suits bustled around me, some engaged in hushed conversations, others rushing toward the elevators with cups of coffee in hand. The air smelled like fresh paper, expensive cologne, and ambition.

I tugged at the sleeves of my blazer, steeling myself. This wasn't my first corporate job, but something about this one felt... different.

Or rather, someone.

Adrian Sinclair.

His name alone sent a ripple of heat through me, and I hated it.

I had spent the entire weekend reminding myself that this was just a job. That whatever had happened between us was in the past. That I wouldn't let it affect my professionalism.

But my body still remembered the way his hands felt on me.

I shook my head, forcing the memory away as I approached the reception desk. The same red-haired woman from last week-Melissa-glanced up, her sharp green eyes scanning me before recognition flickered across her face.

"Miss Reed," she greeted with a polite but somewhat cool smile. "Mr. Sinclair is expecting you. Your office has been prepared on the twenty-fifth floor."

Office?

I had assumed I would be stationed in a cubicle somewhere, not given an actual office.

Melissa must have noticed my hesitation because her lips quirked slightly. "Follow me."

I nodded and fell into step beside her, ignoring the subtle glances from some of the employees as we made our way toward the elevator.

"You're quite the topic of interest this morning," she remarked as she pressed the button for the twenty-fifth floor.

I frowned. "Why?"

She arched a perfectly shaped brow. "Mr. Sinclair doesn't personally hire employees. HR handles that. The fact that he interviewed and hired you himself has sparked... curiosity."

Of course, it had.

I kept my expression neutral. "There's nothing to be curious about. I was simply the most qualified candidate for the position."

Melissa hummed as the elevator doors slid open. "Of course."

I didn't miss the knowing glint in her eyes, but I didn't respond.

I had barely stepped out of the elevator when a deep, familiar voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Miss Reed."

I turned, my breath hitching despite myself.

Adrian stood a few feet away, dressed in a dark charcoal suit that molded perfectly to his frame. His crisp white shirt was open at the collar, revealing a hint of tanned skin. His storm-gray eyes locked onto mine with a quiet intensity that made my pulse skip.

He looked entirely unbothered, completely in control.

Meanwhile, I felt like I was waging a silent war against the memory of that night.

I forced a polite smile. "Mr. Sinclair."

A flicker of amusement crossed his face before he gestured for me to follow him. "Walk with me."

I did as instructed, matching his long strides as we walked down the sleek corridor. My heels clicked against the floor, each step echoing in my ears.

"Your office is next to mine," he said casually.

I nearly stumbled. "Excuse me?"

His lips twitched. "You heard me."

I struggled to keep my composure. "I assumed I'd be working with the rest of the legal team."

"You will," he confirmed. "But as my legal advisor, you'll be handling my contracts directly. That requires proximity."

Proximity.

A word that suddenly felt dangerous when applied to him.

I swallowed hard. "Understood."

We reached a glass-paneled office with sleek modern furniture and a stunning view of the city skyline. It was far more luxurious than I expected.

Adrian leaned against the doorway, watching me. "Any concerns?"

Yes. A thousand of them.

But I shook my head. "No. It's perfect."

His gaze lingered for a second longer before he nodded. "Good. I have a meeting in an hour. Review the files on your desk and be ready to discuss them."

And just like that, he walked away, leaving me to battle the sinking feeling in my gut.

I had a job to do.

I just had to make sure I didn't lose myself in the process.

Adrian

Hiring Isabella was a calculated risk.

One I had no intention of regretting.

As I stepped into my office, I glanced at the report Ethan had sent me over the weekend.

Westford & Co. had been far too eager to let Isabella go. There were whispers of an internal scandal, something involving one of the senior partners.

But nothing concrete.

Yet.

I drummed my fingers against my desk, my thoughts straying back to the woman now working under me.

She was smart.

Capable.

But she was also hiding something.

And I intended to find out what.

A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts.

Melissa stepped in, a knowing smirk on her lips. "So. The infamous Isabella Reed is officially part of Sinclair Enterprises."

I raised a brow. "Something you find amusing?"

She shrugged. "Just curious. You don't usually take such a personal interest in your employees."

"I don't usually hire employees," I corrected.

Her smirk deepened. "Exactly."

I didn't respond.

Melissa had worked for me long enough to know when to drop a subject. She handed me a file. "Your meeting with the board is in an hour. Also, Mr. Carter has requested an urgent discussion regarding the merger contract."

I nodded. "Set it up for later this afternoon."

She hesitated. "And Isabella?"

"What about her?"

Melissa tilted her head. "Are you planning to tell her why you really hired her?"

My jaw tightened.

No.

Not yet.

Instead, I leaned back in my chair, a slow smirk forming.

"Let's see how long it takes her to figure it out."

Isabella

By lunchtime, I had buried myself in legal documents, trying to familiarize myself with the company's pending contracts.

It was a welcome distraction.

Until Adrian's voice pulled me out of my concentration.

"Miss Reed."

I looked up, startled.

He was standing in my doorway, watching me with a mix of amusement and curiosity.

"Lunch," he said simply.

I blinked. "What?"

"You need to eat. And since we have things to discuss, you're coming with me."

I hesitated. "That's not necessary. I can-"

"It wasn't a request."

I clenched my jaw but didn't argue.

A few minutes later, I found myself seated across from Adrian in a private restaurant booth, a menu in my hands.

"This feels unnecessary," I muttered.

His gray eyes gleamed. "Consider it an introduction to how I do business."

I exhaled slowly, placing the menu down. "And how exactly do you do business, Adrian?"

He smirked. "Relentlessly."

Of course, he did.

Lunch was a strange mix of tension and professional discussion. We talked about the company, my role, and the legal challenges ahead.

But beneath it all, there was something unspoken between us.

A charged energy neither of us acknowledged.

As we finished eating, Adrian leaned back, watching me intently.

"Why did you leave Westford & Co.?"

I stiffened.

There it was. The question I had been dreading.

I forced a neutral expression. "Personal reasons."

He studied me for a long moment before nodding. "I see."

But something in his gaze told me he wasn't convinced.

And that terrified me.

Because if Adrian Sinclair wanted the truth-

He would find it.

And when he did...

I wasn't sure what would happen next.