The morning sun filtered through the tall glass windows of the firm, casting golden beams across the sleek, modern floor. Hazel sat at her desk, sipping her usual latte, the foam art still intact. The office buzzed with the usual energy of a Monday morning, but something felt different—almost imperceptibly so.
Ryan noticed it too. As he walked toward the design wing, where Hazel worked, his eyes caught a figure standing near her desk. Tall, impeccably dressed in a custom navy suit, with tousled dark hair and a self-assured smile—Adrian Cole.
Ryan had heard the name floating around the office since his first month at the company. Adrian came from old money—his family owned a chain of international luxury resorts. Rumor had it that his father had given him a five-year challenge: prove his worth without using the family name, or be cut off from the business entirely. And Adrian had been working diligently for three years already. But what irked Ryan wasn't the legacy. It was the way Adrian's gaze lingered on Hazel.
As Ryan approached, he caught the end of their conversation.
"...and if you ever want to check out the rooftop garden, it's usually quiet during lunch," Adrian said with a smile that suggested more than casual friendliness.
Hazel returned a polite smile. "Thanks, Adrian. Maybe one day."
Ryan's steps slowed. He forced a neutral expression, but inside, something twisted.
Later that afternoon, Ryan and Hazel sat together in the break room. He tried to keep his tone light as he bit into his sandwich. "So, what's with Adrian hanging around your desk so much lately?"
Hazel raised an eyebrow. "He's just being friendly. He helped me out with that bug problem last week."
Ryan nodded slowly, chewing. "Friendly's one thing. But Adrian? He doesn't do casual. He's the kind of guy who flirts even when he's ordering a coffee."
Hazel chuckled. "You're being dramatic."
Ryan met her gaze. "No, I'm being cautious. Guys like him—charming, rich, ambitious—they don't just offer help without a motive."
Hazel leaned back, crossing her arms. "Are you... jealous?"
He hesitated. "Maybe. A little. But mostly, I don't trust him. There's something about him... like he's always calculating the next move."
Hazel didn't reply immediately. Her fingers traced the rim of her coffee cup. "I get it, Ry. But I promise, there's nothing going on."
"Hey, you two. Busy day?" Adrian asked, his voice smooth, almost rehearsed. He had perfected the art of conversation, and it was clear he was trying to make Hazel the center of it.
"We're working on this new algorithm," Ryan replied curtly, keeping his eyes focused on the screen. He wasn't in the mood to engage with Adrian.
Hazel, sensing the tension, tried to ease the moment. "Yeah, it's a tricky one," she added, offering a polite smile.
Adrian leaned against the desk, clearly not interested in the technicalities of their work. His eyes lingered on Hazel, a look of undeniable desire flickering in his gaze. "You know, Hazel, I've been meaning to ask you…" He trailed off, letting the words hang in the air, as though the next part of the sentence was supposed to carry some weight.
Ryan felt his jaw tighten. He had seen Adrian do this before—the slow, deliberate build-up of tension in his words, the way he made everything seem like an invitation.
Adrian's gaze moved from Hazel to Ryan, as though checking for any sign of discomfort. "We should get lunch sometime," Adrian continued. "I know some great places around here. Maybe you'd like to join me?"
Hazel's smile was hesitant, but polite. "I'm actually in the middle of something," she replied, turning her attention back to her screen.
Adrian didn't seem deterred. "Well, if you change your mind…" His voice was laced with something more dangerous than friendliness.
Ryan's fingers flexed on the keyboard, trying to focus on the task at hand, but Adrian's presence in the room was suffocating. He knew Adrian didn't just want a casual lunch—he was trying to break down their relationship, one small crack at a time. He wanted to see if Hazel would entertain him, if she would take the bait.
As the conversation ended and Adrian left, Ryan couldn't help but feel a surge of protectiveness for Hazel. He knew it wasn't just about lunch or some innocent interaction. Adrian was testing boundaries, pushing the limits, and Ryan was having none of it.
Later that evening, when the office had quieted down and most people had left, Ryan and Hazel were still sitting side by side, reviewing code. Hazel had long since taken off her jacket, her sleeves rolled up as she focused intently on her work. But Ryan couldn't shake the feeling that Adrian's words had lingered in her mind.
The following week brought more of the same. Adrian would conveniently show up when Hazel was alone, offer to walk her to her car, or sit near her during meetings. It was all subtle, just on the edge of professionalism.
Ryan finally reached his limit one Friday afternoon.
They were working late on a presentation, and Ryan found Hazel in the break room alone. He shut the door behind him.
"Hazel, we need to talk."
She turned, surprised by his tone. "Okay..."
He sighed, pacing. "Adrian's interested in you. You know it. I know it. And you keep brushing it off like it's nothing, but it's not. I see the way he looks at you."
Hazel's shoulders tensed. "What do you want me to do? Quit my job? Tell him off in front of everyone?"
"No. I want you to acknowledge that this isn't harmless. He's not harmless."
Hazel set her coffee down harder than she intended. "Ryan, I chose you. I'm with you. Why are you making this into a competition?"
"Because people like him play games. He's not after your friendship. He wants to be the better option. And he's the kind of guy who thinks he can buy anything—including people's hearts."
She stared at him. "You really think I'd fall for that?"
Ryan ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. "No... I think you're kind and open and sometimes don't see when someone's crossing a line. I just don't want to lose you, Hazel. Not to someone like him."
Her face softened. She stepped closer and took his hand. "You won't lose me. But we have to trust each other. If this is going to work... we need that."
He nodded, pulling her into a hug. But over her shoulder, he couldn't help but glance out the glass wall—where Adrian stood just down the hall, watching them.
A half-smile crossed Adrian's lips before he turned away.
Something had definitely shifted in the air.