Chapter 6

Valeria's POV

The door to my office clicked shut behind me, and I leaned against it for a moment, trying to gather my thoughts. The conversation with Adrian had been... intense. There was something about his gaze that unnerved me, a mix of curiosity and determination that felt almost dangerous. Most men didn't dare to push me, and yet he had, unafraid and undeterred. It was infuriating-and thrilling.

I ran my fingers through my hair, pushing it back from my face as I walked to the expansive window that overlooked the city. The view was spectacular, the skyline dotted with buildings that stood as a testament to my hard work and ruthless ambition. But no matter how successful I became, there was always a shadow lurking beneath the surface, an ever-present reminder of what I was.

A siren. A creature of myth, a being of power and seduction. I could charm men with a smile, twist them around my finger with a single glance, and yet, no one had ever truly known me. Not even Adrian. He thought he could uncover my secrets, but I'd built my empire on maintaining control. I couldn't let him get too close, no matter how tempting it was to let someone in.

But as I gazed out at the bustling streets below, my mind wandered back to our conversation. Adrian was different from the others. There was a fire in him, a drive that made him relentless. He wasn't like the men who came to me with their weak desires, their hollow compliments. He was a challenge, and I had to admit, that excited me more than it should have.

I sighed, turning away from the window and striding over to my desk. The endless paperwork awaited me, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I needed to keep Adrian at arm's length. I couldn't afford to let my guard down.

As I settled into my chair and opened my laptop, a knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. It was Sarah, my assistant, peering in with her usual cheerful demeanor.

"Hey, Val! You have that lunch meeting with the investors in thirty minutes," she reminded me, her voice bright and unyielding.

"Right. Thanks, Sarah." I forced a smile, grateful for the distraction.

"Also," she added, her brow furrowing slightly, "Adrian called earlier. He wants to discuss some ideas for the upcoming project."

I frowned, my stomach tightening at the mention of his name. "What ideas?"

"Just something he's been thinking about-he mentioned market expansion and a new marketing strategy," she replied, her voice chipper.

I rolled my eyes inwardly. "Have him send me an email. I'll get to it later."

Sarah nodded and retreated, leaving me alone once more. As the minutes ticked by, I found myself unable to focus on anything other than Adrian. The way he challenged me, the way he made me question myself, was maddening. But there was something about that frustration that ignited something within me-a sense of excitement I hadn't felt in a long time.

I glanced at the clock and quickly gathered my things, knowing I couldn't afford to be late for the meeting. As I walked down the hallway, I felt a familiar sense of power envelop me, a thick, intoxicating fog that helped me slip into the role of the CEO. The Valeria everyone knew- unyielding and sharp.

When I entered the conference room, I was met with the expectant gazes of several investors, their eyes gleaming with anticipation. I took my seat at the head of the table, adjusting my blazer as I prepared to present my plans. The meeting began, and I quickly fell into my rhythm, commanding the room with authority.

But as I spoke, I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching me. I scanned the room, and my gaze landed on Adrian, who had slipped in quietly, taking a seat in the corner. Our eyes met, and a jolt of electricity sparked between us. I felt my pulse quicken, my words stumbling slightly as I continued my presentation.

After the meeting, I brushed past him without acknowledging his presence, my heart racing. I needed to regain control; I couldn't let him throw me off balance.

"Valeria," he called after me, his voice low but insistent.

I paused, turning slightly to face him, my irritation boiling beneath the surface. "What do you want, Adrian?"

He stepped closer, his expression serious. "I wanted to talk about the project, but it seems you have a lot on your plate. Maybe we can discuss it later?"

"Right now, I don't have the time," I replied, the words sharper than I intended.

"Are you always this cold?" he shot back, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

"Only with men who think they know me," I replied, narrowing my eyes at him.

His expression turned serious. "You know, I'm just trying to understand you. You're an enigma, Valeria."

I felt a flicker of annoyance. "And you think you're the one to decode me?"

"Maybe," he said, his voice confident. "Or maybe I'm just persistent."

I shook my head, trying to maintain my composure. "Persistence doesn't get you anywhere with me."

He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. "You'd be surprised how far persistence can take you. And who knows, maybe there's a part of you that's curious about me too."

My breath hitched, and I quickly regained my posture, forcing a laugh to mask my unease. "You're delusional, Blake."

"Am I?" he challenged, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief. "You can pretend all you want, but I see through your walls."

I stepped back, narrowing my eyes. "Careful, Adrian. You're treading into dangerous territory."

He grinned, that infuriating, charming grin that made my stomach twist. "Dangerous? Sounds intriguing."

"Maybe for you," I retorted, crossing my arms defiantly. "But I don't play games, Blake."

"Then let's not play games," he replied smoothly. "Let's just... be honest with each other."

"Honesty?" I laughed, the sound sharp and brittle. "You're in the wrong place for that. I'm not here to share my life story."

"I'm not asking for your life story. Just a little insight into what makes you tick." His tone was teasing, but there was an underlying seriousness that caught my attention.

I turned away, desperately trying to rein in the flood of emotions he was stirring within me. "What makes me tick? I'm a businesswoman, Nothing more, nothing less."

"Right," he said, his voice laced with skepticism. "But I can see there's more beneath the surface."

I faced him again, feeling the heat of frustration rise within me. "What do you want from me? You're not the first man to think he can charm his way into my life."

He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I don't want to charm my way in, Valeria. I want to understand you. The real you."

The intensity in his gaze made my heart race. I opened my mouth to respond, but the words caught in my throat. What was I supposed to say? That I was a siren, a creature of allure and danger, and that letting him in would only lead to destruction?

Instead, I took a step back, forcing myself to break the connection. "You're wasting your time. You don't know what you're asking for."

"Maybe not," he replied, a hint of determination in his voice. "But I'm willing to find out."

"Good luck with that," I shot back, turning on my heel and striding away from him. My heart raced as I walked down the corridor, the weight of his words lingering in my mind.

As I reached my office, I closed the door behind me, leaning against it as I tried to catch my breath. Adrian was relentless, and I didn't know how much longer I could keep this up.

He was unlike anyone I had ever met-bold, unyielding, and infuriatingly charming. But more than that, he had a spark of something that made me question everything I believed. The idea of letting him in, of showing him who I truly was, sent a shiver of fear coursing through me.

I couldn't let him see my true self. I had to maintain control, keep my secrets hidden. After all, the world knew me as Valeria Moretti-the powerful CEO. No one could ever know that I was more than that.