Chapter 4 I like you, and you terrify me

Emilia woke up before her alarm clock, as if her body was anticipating the coming anguish. The sun was still struggling to filter through the curtains at her window, and she found herself standing, wide awake, her mind racing. She knew she couldn't sleep any longer, because today was the day of the meeting with Adrián Vega. She had been mentally preparing for hours, but doubts plagued her. She felt out of control, trapped between what she should do and what she wanted.

Anxiety wrapped around her like a heavy blanket. She breathed deeply, but found no comfort. She knew this meeting wouldn't be like the previous ones. There was something more at stake this time, something beyond the plans she would carry, something that was affecting her in ways she didn't understand. Adrián's power overwhelmed her, and the worst part was that she couldn't find a way to escape it. When she got to the bathroom, the cold water on her face momentarily soothed her, but the discomfort persisted. It wasn't just work that overwhelmed her; it was the constant feeling of being watched, evaluated. Adrián's gaze pierced her like a dagger, leaving her exposed and vulnerable. Was she losing control of herself? It was strange to feel so alone, even surrounded by people. Deep down, she knew that Mateo, her ex-husband, would be the only one who could understand the emotional chaos that was engulfing her. But she didn't want to turn to him, didn't want to burden him with something she couldn't even process. Once dressed, she looked at herself in the mirror. The reflection she saw seemed strange, almost alien. She had never felt so small, so lost. Adrián Vega was not only present in her professional life, but his figure invaded everything. His decisions, his tone, his expectations seemed to dictate her life. Emilia tried to calm herself, telling herself that it was just another meeting, just another meeting. But words gave her no peace.

The journey to the Vega Industries building was the same, but today the receptionist wasn't the only one observing her. The silence in the air seemed to charge the atmosphere with a palpable tension. Every step she took brought her closer to a destination she could no longer control. When the elevator doors opened on the 47th floor, the same lobby, the same door, everything seemed foreign. Her body was there, but her mind wandered among scattered thoughts.

As she entered Adrian's office, the first thing she noticed was his posture, different from before. Today, he wasn't so distant. The tension she felt in the air multiplied instantly. Adrian observed her with those eyes that seemed to read her, almost undressing her before him, and for a second, Emilia felt anxiety invade her like never before.

"Emilia, it's nice to see you again," Adrian said, his tone firm, but with a cordial tone that failed to reassure her. "Thank you, Adrian. I'll bring the adjustments you asked for today," Emilia replied, trying to appear calm as she placed her portfolio on the table. But although she tried to be professional, her mind was racing with what might happen, with what he wanted from her.

As she organized the plans, the atmosphere around them seemed to become denser. Adrian watched her with an intensity she couldn't ignore. She knew he wasn't just evaluating her as an architect, but his eyes seemed to be searching for something more. Unease grew inside her, but she didn't want to give in. What did he really want? Was it just work? Or was there something else in his gaze that deeply troubled her?

"How does it look?" Adrian asked after a long silence, his voice resonating with a tone that made Emilia look directly into his eyes. The fear of not being up to par invaded her again. "I think everything is in line with what you asked me," Emilia replied, but her voice wasn't as firm as she had hoped. Her body was trembling slightly.

"What you're saying is intriguing. But... what do you think of the way I handle things?" The direct question threw her off, and Emilia couldn't stop the nervousness from washing over her. What did he expect from her? She didn't want to answer, didn't want to enter into territory that she knew could lead them to something more personal, something she wasn't prepared to face.

Her discomfort grew even more when Adrián's steady gaze caught her silently.

"What I mean is that a work environment should reflect not only the image of the company, but also the way people feel in it," Emilia said, trying to change the focus of the conversation. But still, her words seemed to be insufficient. Something in the way Adrian was looking at her told her he wasn't just evaluating the project, but that something else, much more, was going on.

Adrian smiled subtly, but his gaze wasn't warm. He was calculating, and Emilia felt like she was the one being evaluated.

"What you say is interesting. Sometimes, the image of power and control can alienate people."

People. But that's the game we're playing, right? he said, taking a step toward her. The closeness of his body made Emilia feel cornered, trapped in a game she hadn't chosen. How had she gotten there?

The silence between them was thick, and for a moment, Emilia feared the whole conversation was just an excuse to get closer, to make her feel more uncomfortable. But he continued speaking with a calmness that disarmed her.

"What I want is for people to work with ambition, but not at the expense of their well-being." Emilia didn't know how, but the words came out of her mouth with a clarity she didn't feel inside. As if the game Adrián was playing was pushing her to play too.

"Interesting." Adrián watched her for a few seconds, and that silence felt like a condemnation. Emilia didn't know if he was evaluating her words or if he was evaluating her, but in that instant, she realized something: she was completely alone in this game. She couldn't turn to anyone for help, not Mateo, not anyone. Adrian had put her in a position where she couldn't trust anyone but herself.

"I'll send you my feedback on the details tomorrow. But tell me, Emilia, do you have plans for the evening?" The question was so sudden it left her speechless. Her discomfort increased instantly. What did he mean by that?

"No... I don't have plans," Emilia replied, trying to hide her surprise and growing unease.

"Then we could discuss some details in a more informal setting," Adrian suggested, as if his relaxed tone was trying to disguise the intention behind his words. Emilia felt the weight of the proposal. It wasn't a direct invitation, but the tension made her feel trapped. "I'll think about it," she finally said, with a firmness she didn't feel. She didn't want Adrian to think he could control her, but at the same time, the idea of ​​having dinner with him both appealed and terrified her. "Perfect. I'll let you know the time," Adrian replied, turning back to the plans once more, making it clear that, for him, the meeting was over. But Emilia knew that, in reality, all of this was just beginning. And inside, she felt more alone than ever, trapped between the expectations of a man she didn't understand and the emptiness of her own life, which felt increasingly distant.