*Authors pov:*
Their gazes met, and time seemed to freeze. The air was electric with anticipation as Adrian closed the distance between them. His piercing stare made Stella's heart skip a beat. They stood so close that they could feel each other's ragged breaths.
Adrian's face inches from hers, Stella's pulse quickened. But instead of the expected kiss, he whispered in her ear, "So, you'd rather have me than be with someone from the Gluck's family? Do you think I want you?" His smirk was a cold slap to her face.
Stella's anger boiled over. "How dare he!" she seethed, stomping her foot. She spun on her heel and stormed off, leaving Adrian watching her retreat with an enigmatic smile...
As she stormed off in anger, Stella switched on her phone, only to be bombarded by messages and calls from Fiona and her dad. Her heart sank, feeling troubled and anxious. What if her dad found out? Would he stop her from achieving her goals? Should she run away from home? Negative thoughts swirled in her head like a vortex.
Just as she was lost in her worries, the roar of a bike snapped her back to reality. Looking up, she saw Fiona, who hopped off her bike, shouting and screaming, "I'm so proud of you, my pretty angel! You made it!" Fiona swept Stella into a tight hug, and they both reveled in the moment.
After they calmed down, Stella asked, "How was the date?" Fiona briefed her on the details, and from what Stella gathered, the disguise had been a success. But why was her dad calling her? She needed to get home.
Fiona drove off with Stella on the back of the bike. As they rode, two young men couldn't help but stare at the two beauties, their eyes fixed on them as they disappeared into the distance....
As Adrian watched Stella storm off in anger, Federick appeared, ready to discuss work. However, his attention was hijacked by Fiona's arrival on her bike. Both men stood there, transfixed, until the two women drove off.
Adrian, ever the composed billionaire, quickly regained his footing. He turned to Federick, who was still lost in thought. Federick, noticing Adrian's gaze, cleared his throat, attempting to sound professional. "Master Adrian, you have a meeting with the Lanster Group of Companies in forty minutes."
Adrian couldn't resist teasing Federick. "Trying to be a good PA, but got distracted by a beautiful lady, huh? Is there something going on that I don't know about?" Federick deflected the question, "I think I should be the one asking you that, sir."
Adrian swiftly changed the subject. "Are the proposals ready for the meeting?" Federick, sensing his question had been evaded, remained silent. They both departed, discussing crucial matters, successfully sidestepping the topic of love... for now...