Chapter 19 Nineteen
The night was beautiful... calm, quiet, and wrapped in silver moonlight.
The lake shimmered like glass, and the soft breeze carried the faint scent of pine. Izzy walked slowly beside Adrian, her heels clicking lightly against the wooden path that curved along the shore.
Adrian was talking about a new branch his company, Cross Dynamics, had just opened in New York. His voice was smooth and confident... the kind of tone that drew people in.
“You know,” Adrian said, smiling down at her, “you’re nothing like the assistants Dominic usually hire. Most of them were either terrified of him or trying to get his attention. But you... you’ve got fire.”
Izzy laughed softly, looking down at the water. “Fire? That’s one word for it.”
He chuckled, watching her face carefully. “And I like fire. It’s rare in this business. Most people just want to please whoever signs their paycheck. But you are pretty with brains.”
Izzy turned her head slightly toward him. “Thank you. And you don’t…”
“Please people?” Adrian smirked. “No. I prefer to make them regret underestimating me.”
There was a flash in his eyes... the kind that spoke of rivalry, not just competition.
Izzy had heard whispers before. Dominic and Adrian weren’t just business rivals. They were enemies. The kind with years of history behind the tension...old betrayals, lost deals, maybe even something personal.
When Adrian looked at her again, his voice softened. “Tell me, Izzy… does he treat you well? Dominic, I mean.”
She hesitated. “He’s… my boss.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
She gave a small shrug. “He’s demanding. Perfectionist. Sometimes cold. But… fair.”
Adrian laughed quietly. “Fair? That’s a generous word for a man like him.” He stopped walking and leaned against the railing, looking at her closely. “Be careful with him, Isabella Hart. He’s not the type to play nice...not with business, not with people.”
Something in his tone made her heart stir... fear exactly, and curiosity.
And maybe a warning.
“Why do you hate him so much?” she asked quietly.
Adrian’s lips curved into a small, bitter smile. “Let’s just say we both wanted the same things once. One of us played dirty. It wasn’t me.”
He didn’t say more, and Izzy didn’t press. The silence stretched between them, broken only by the sound of water lapping gently against the wooden posts.
Then Adrian smiled again, his charm returning like a switch. “Anyway, enough business talk. Let’s get back inside before people start rumors about us sneaking away together.”
Izzy laughed softly. “Too late for that, I think.”
He grinned, offering her his arm. “Then we might as well give them something to whisper about.”
She shook her head but took his arm anyway, and together they headed back toward the dining hall.
Inside, the atmosphere had shifted.
The music was softer, and people were starting to drift toward the lounge area with their drinks. Izzy and Adrian stepped in together, still talking and smiling... and the moment they did, Dominic’s eyes found them.
He was standing by the bar, a glass of whiskey in hand, his dark suit still perfect, his expression unreadable. But his eyes... those sharp grey eyes.…burned with a quiet storm.
Sienna was beside him again, still talking, still smiling, but Dominic wasn’t listening.
His gaze was locked on Izzy... on her hand resting lightly on Adrian’s arm.
Izzy felt it instantly.
That same pull. That magnetic awareness that always made her heart skip a beat. She didn’t need to look...she knew he was watching.
Adrian noticed it too. His lips curved slightly. “Looks like someone doesn’t like me talking to his assistant.”
Izzy’s breath caught. “Don’t start,” she said quietly.
But he only smiled wider. “Relax, Izzy. Let's have some fun. Dance with me.”
Before she could answer, Adrian stepped forward and offered his hand. “Please..Dance with me.”
Her pulse jumped. “Adrian, I…”
“Come on,” he interrupted smoothly, “it’s just one song.”
Izzy hesitated.… then took his hand.
The music was slow, elegant.
Adrian’s hand rested lightly on her waist as they moved across the floor. He was confident, easygoing...nothing like Dominic, whose every move carried control and restraint.
“You dance well,” Adrian murmured.
“So do you,” she replied softly, trying to ignore the intensity of the stare burning from across the room.
Dominic hadn’t moved from the bar.
But his grip on the glass tightened until his knuckles went white.
He watched every second... the way Adrian held her, the way she laughed, the way her red dress shimmered under the lights as she turned.
He couldn’t look away, even though he wanted to.
Then Adrian leaned closer, his lips near her ear. “How about dinner next week? Just you and me. No business talk. I’ll pick the place.”
Izzy’s breath caught...and before she could answer, another voice cut through the music, deep and cold.
“Stop inviting my assistant out to dinner, Adrian. I warned you”
The words came from behind them, sharp and low, carrying across the room like a blade through air.
The music didn’t stop… but the room did. People turned slightly, pretending not to listen but clearly watching.
Adrian smiled without missing a beat. He turned his head slowly toward Dominic.
“Dominic,” he said smoothly, his voice full of mock politeness. “I don't think I need your permission to invite her to dinner. Do I?”
Dominic’s eyes darkened. “You don’t. But you’ll need permission to keep your hands off my employees.”
The tension was thick enough to cut.
Adrian chuckled under his breath. “Still the same control freak, Izzy works for you she's not your property.”
Dominic didn’t respond... not with words. His jaw flexed, and his gaze flicked briefly to Izzy before he turned on his heel and walked away, his steps calm but his fury clear in the air he left behind.
Izzy stood frozen for a second, her heart pounding.
“Wow,” Adrian said softly. “ Grumpy old man.”
She gave a nervous laugh. “He is definitely grumpy.”
He smiled, his tone softer now. “You don't have to worry about your boss.. If he fires you come work for me.. So dinner, Izzy?”
She looked up at him, uncertain how to respond.
“Sure. Goodnight, Adrian,” she said finally, her voice steady.
And she walked away... feeling Dominic’s presence somewhere behind her like a storm waiting to break.