Chapter 5 The turnaround

---

Chapter Five: The Turnaround

Erica lasted another week before making her decision.

She walked into the office early, dropped a crisp envelope on Adrian's desk, and walked out without waiting for a reaction.

Resignation letter.

No explanation. No confrontation. Just her name and her signature, neat and final.

Adrian stared at it for a long time.

His chest felt tight-not in the way it used to when business deals fell apart or when the board challenged him. This was different. Personal. Messy.

And it wasn't just about losing a secretary. It was about losing her.

He tried to bury it in work. Meetings. Contracts. Dinners with clients. But nothing filled the silence she left behind. No one brought him his coffee the right way. No one made dry remarks under their breath that made him want to laugh. The office felt colder than usual.

Two days later, he found himself parked outside a small coffee shop in Midtown-one Erica had mentioned offhand weeks ago as her favorite "escape place."

She was there.

Sitting by the window, typing on her laptop, headphones in. She looked tired but peaceful. And something about that made his gut twist.

He walked in.

She looked up. Surprise flickered in her eyes, then something colder. Guarded.

"Did I misspell something in the resignation letter?" she asked flatly.

"No."

"Then what are you doing here, Adrian?"

He sat across from her. No suits, no office tension. Just him.

"I was wrong," he said. "About you. About... everything."

She leaned back. "You don't get to show up and suddenly want to talk feelings."

"I know. I don't deserve it. But I couldn't let it end like that."

She didn't speak. Just waited.

He inhaled. "I've built my life around not needing anyone. I thought that made me strong. But now you're gone and I can't stop noticing the space you left. And I don't want to pretend anymore."

Silence.

Then, gently, she said, "Do you want me back as your secretary?"

"No," he said quickly. "I want you back in my life."

Her eyes searched his face. She didn't speak for a long time.

Finally, she closed her laptop. "If you're serious... start by being honest. Not just with me. With yourself."

Adrian nodded.

That was the beginning.

Not perfect. Not tied up in a bow.

But real.