Adam sank back into bed for a moment, his Adam's apple rolling lazily. He hadn't realized how coquettish Celine could be. When she used that soft, teasing tone, he could feel the muscles in his lean waist tighten instinctively. But he really had to get up. He pulled his arm free from her grasp and climbed out of bed. He headed into the bathroom and turned on the cold water to clear his head. A moment later, he emerged refreshed, dressed sharply in a black shirt and matching black trousers.
As he stepped into his office, he froze. Carly was there. She turned to face him, her red lips curving into a smile. "Adam, don't tell me you just woke up."
It was already 8:00 a.m., and Carly's early arrival was unexpected. She had never seen him sleep in so late. Adam paused, clearly caught off guard.
Just then, Leo rushed in. "Mr. Alvarez, I just stepped out to check with the Marketing Department. I didn't realize Ms. Tate had already arrived." Leo knew full well that Adam and Celine had spent the night in the private lounge; Celine was probably still asleep there. And now Carly was here. This was bad. What if the two women fought?
Leo didn't dare glance at Adam's face. Carly, however, didn't miss a beat. Her eyes narrowed. "What's going on? Am I not allowed to drop by unannounced?" Her gaze shifted toward the private lounge. "Adam, you don't have a woman hidden in your lounge, do you? Afraid I'll find out?"
Before anyone could stop her, she started walking toward the door. Adam's tall, broad frame moved swiftly to block her path.
"Adam, why won't you let me in? I called you many times last night, and you didn't answer. And now you're waking up late. Did you sleep with someone else?" Carly snapped.
Adam frowned slightly at her accusations. His thin lips parted, his deep, magnetic voice calm and steady, betraying no emotion. "Carly, leave."
He told her to leave? Why should she leave? Carly wasn't going anywhere until she found out who the woman in the lounge was. Without hesitation, she shoved Adam aside and reached for the lounge door.
"This is it. It's over," Leo thought, panicking silently.
Carly stormed into the lounge, but froze the moment she stepped inside. Adam followed, his gaze darting to the bed. The sheets were rumpled, but it was empty. Celine was gone. The lounge was completely vacant.
Leo, standing outside, was equally baffled. "Where did Mrs. Alvarez go?" he wondered.
But with the crisis seemingly averted, Leo sprang into action, eager to diffuse the tension. His tone was smooth and professional. "Ms. Tate, you've misunderstood Mr. Alvarez. He worked late last night, and has an early meeting this morning."
A knock at the door broke the moment. A department manager entered, holding a neatly stacked pile of documents. "Mr. Alvarez, these are the papers requiring your signature."
Carly's fiery doubts began to cool. Perhaps she had been overthinking things. How could Adam possibly love someone else? Her own insecurities and fear of losing him had made her jump to conclusions.
A pang of guilt swept over her. Her tone softened, tinged with regret. "Adam, I'm sorry. I'll leave you to handle your work." Without waiting for a reply, Carly turned and left.
Adam's sharp eyes followed her retreating figure until she disappeared. Then, without a word, he stepped further into the lounge. No. That was impossible. She couldn't have simply walked out without being seen.
Adam's piercing gaze swept across the room, scanning every corner with precision. And then his eyes landed on the wardrobe. The doors were closed, perfectly still. But something about them felt off; it was as if someone might be hiding inside.