The air outside the restaurant felt colder than before.
The elegant woman stopped in front of them, her red heels clicking against the pavement. She looked Amelia up and down slowly.
"And you are?" she asked, her smile sharp.
"Amelia Turner," Amelia replied politely, though her pulse was racing.
The woman turned to Adrian. "You didn't mention hiring someone so… captivating."
Adrian's expression hardened. "Victoria, this isn't your concern."
Victoria.
The name lingered.
She laughed softly. "Still so cold. I was just surprised. You don't usually bring assistants to private dinners."
Amelia felt the tension thicken. So it was true. This woman knew him well.
Adrian stepped slightly closer to Amelia — not touching her, but close enough to make a statement.
"My professional decisions no longer require your approval."
Victoria's eyes flashed. "Of course. After all, you ended things so abruptly."
Amelia's breath caught.
Ended things?
So she wasn't just a colleague.
She was an ex.
Victoria turned to Amelia again. "Be careful," she said sweetly. "Adrian doesn't mix business with emotions. If you're expecting anything more… you'll be disappointed."
Before Amelia could respond, Adrian spoke his voice firm.
"That's enough."
The authority in his tone was undeniable.
Victoria held his gaze for a moment longer before stepping back.
"We'll see each other soon, Adrian. We always do."
With that, she turned and disappeared into the night.
Silence lingered between Amelia and Adrian.
She swallowed. "I didn't know you had… company."
Adrian exhaled slowly. "My past is irrelevant to you."
The words stung more than they should have.
"Of course," Amelia replied quickly. "I understand."
But as he opened the car door for her, she couldn't shake Victoria's warning.
Adrian doesn't mix business with emotions.
Then why did it feel like something was changing between them?