Page 41 of Protected By My Playboy Billionaire

“Come in,” I call out, my tone neutral.

As she enters, the familiar sound of her heels on the floor fills the room. I watch her walk straight towards the armchairs with her usual elegance.

“Hello, Adrian.” Her crimson lips curve into a knowing smirk as she greets me with practiced charm. She moves with the fluid grace of a cat, settling into the armchair opposite me. I don’t bother greeting her back as I recline back in my chair.

“So, you wanted to talk about the deal with Mortimer?” I prompt, already anticipating her response.

Victoria shakes her head, a hint of mischief glinting in her eyes. “That’s not why I’m here,” she purrs.

I arch aneyebrow. “It’s not?”

“No,” Victoria continues, her tone lowering conspiratorially. “There have been… rumors circulating in the socials about you and a certain girl.”

My mind flashes to the paparazzi photos taken at the recent launching event, capturing me and Elana as we walked in. Of course, she knows about it. I shift subtly in my seat, maintaining my composure.

“And?” I prompt, my voice steady.

“People are talking, Adrian,” Victoria states bluntly. “It’s not every day you're seen with a girl like this.”

My jaw tightens slightly, but I keep my gaze steady.

“Times change,” I reply coolly.

Victoria’s gaze lingers on me, assessing.

“Clearly,” she remarks with a hint of amusement.

My patience wears thin. “I fail to see how this concerns you,” I state firmly.

Victoria chuckles, a sound that grates on my nerves. “It concerns me when it affects the office environment,” she counters smoothly. “Your personal affairs reflect on the company, Adrian. Especiallywhen it involves someone so… junior.”

My temper flares, but I rein it in. “Elana is not an employee,” I remind her sharply. “And my personal life is none of your concern.”

Victoria’s expression darkens, her facade slipping for a moment.

“I work with you, Adrian,” she retorts, her tone edging towards defiance. “That makes it my concern.”

My jaw clenches, my patience reaching its limit. “You workforme,” I emphasize, my voice firm. “Remember that.” With a dismissive wave of my hand, I gesture towards the door. “If you have nothing else to discuss, I suggest you leave.”

Victoria bristles visibly at my dismissal. Her pride stung. “You’ll see,” she warns, her tone tinged with bitterness. “You’ll see that I’m right about this.”

“I’ll see you at the meeting tomorrow,” I dismiss her.

“I only want what’s best for you, Adrian. You can’t be mad at me for that.” When I don’t reply, she rises from her seat and strides out of my office, closing the door behind her. What the hell was that? Victoria has always been more than a little curious about what I do in my free time. Her little birds, as she calls them,always chirping in her ear, but this? She’s never dared to be so open when it came to her distaste of who I’m seen with.

More than half an hour later, I’ve gone over most of the paperwork I neglected yesterday when there’s another rap on my door. This better not be Victoria again. I’ve had enough of her for one day.

“Come in,” I call out with a sigh. Instead of Victoria’s dark mane, a cascade of golden locks appears at the door, followed by a pair of green eyes. “Elana.” I narrow my gaze at her. Not the warm welcome she likely expected, judging by her reaction.

“Hi.” She closes the door behind her and clasps her hands in front of her. “Your—Melissa said that you told them I could stop by anytime.”

“Indeed, I did,” I say as I rise from my chair and shorten the distance between us. “Has something happened? How did your exam go?”

She shakes her head and takes a tentative step towards me. “The exam went well. I just wanted to say hi.”

I blink at her, unsure of how to respond. That’s a first. She’s already coming to my office unannounced just to “say hi”.

“I wanted to see you.” She steps towards me, her small hands raising to touch me. I still as she slides her arms around me and rests her head on my chest. She smells divine. All I want to do is lift her into my arms and kiss every inch of her. Fuck. It takes everything I have not to raise my arms and hold her. When I don’t return the hug, she slowly releases me and looks up, her green eyes filled with worry.