Episode 12

Adrian didn't return to Benicio's office after delivering the report. The workday had already ended, and Benicio assumed his employee had already left without even stopping by his office or informing him. He only realized the time when he looked at the clock, as he hadn't even noticed that it was getting late.

Benicio gathered his things and left his office. As he passed by Adrian's office, he noticed the lights were still on and entered, seeing that he was still in the company.

"What are you still doing here?"

"I'm finishing a report for a colleague."

Benicio furrowed his brow at what he heard. He fully entered the room and picked up the paper on his subordinate's desk, his expression turning even more stern.

"Who told you to do this?"

"Actually, a woman who works here asked me to do it because she couldn't finish this report today, she had something else to do."

Benicio placed his briefcase on the table, approached Adrian, and placed his hands on the armrest of the chair, one on each side, clarifying something to him.

"You work for me, Mr. Adrian. Any and all work you do within my company has to go through me. I didn't realize you were so proactive as to let people make money off of you."

Adrian was trying to control his breathing at that moment. He couldn't show that this proximity was affecting him. Having Benicio so close like that was still better than when they bumped into each other in the restroom. Not only could he smell his cologne, but he could also look into his eyes up close. If he got any closer, he could even feel his warm breath on his face.

"I understand, sir," he replied, but couldn't help but glance at the man's lips in front of him.

"Good." Benicio stepped back a bit from the chair. "So leave that there and go home. When the owner of this report comes to pick it up tomorrow and it's not ready, tell her I didn't allow it to be done. If she has a problem with it, she can come to my office and complain to me. Now, shut everything down and let's go downstairs, so I can be sure you won't continue working here and will finish that."

Adrian had no choice but to obey what he was told. He shut down his computer, gathered his things, and left the office with his boss. The two of them took the same elevator, and it was quite awkward. The silence between them at that moment made their thoughts boil.

It wasn't just Adrian who was uncomfortable with that silence, as Benicio was also thinking about how he had gotten so close to him. It was almost like when Adrian helped him calm down during that crisis. He hoped his face hadn't betrayed him when he stood in that position, because at that moment, what his body wanted the most was to get even closer.

"Have a good night and rest well. I'll see you at work tomorrow," he bid farewell to his employee as they left the company.

"Thank you, sir. Have a great night as well."

Initially, he even thought about offering a ride, but he figured he might be showing too much concern. It was better to try and maintain a certain distance between them, or at least that's what he would try to do. He just didn't know if he would succeed.

Adrian arrived home that day well past the time he should have. His grandmother was still waiting for him at the kitchen table, as always, with a worried expression on her face.

"I was worried, my boy. You came home late."

"Sorry, Grandma, I got caught up at work today."

"You're still so young and so overwhelmed. Your parents left us so early and left you with the responsibility of taking care of an old woman like me."

"Granny, don't say things like that, it makes it seem like you're a burden to me, but it's not like that. I love you very much and I don't see taking care of you as a burden. Dona Marcelina, stop getting these ideas. Have you eaten dinner? Because I'm hungry." He kissed his grandmother's head.

Adrian didn't really feel the way his grandmother was thinking. He loved her and didn't see taking care of her as a burden, but rather as a responsibility and repayment for the years she dedicated to him.

Benicio also arrived later than usual that day. After taking a shower, he went to the living room, wanting a drink, but ended up coming across Carla, who had just arrived. At that moment, he regretted giving her a key because he wanted to be alone.

"I'm going to sleep here tonight. Is that okay with you?"

Benicio thought about immediately responding that he didn't want her to sleep there, but then stopped to think that maybe it was a good idea for her to stay. He had been having strange thoughts about Adrian and thought that if he let her stay with him more often, maybe he could put those thoughts aside.

"That's fine. You have clothes in my closet if you want to take a shower first."

He decided to let her stay and would test himself that night. That had been the first day of having that man by his side. For a few seconds, he thought it might not have been a good idea to hire him because, even if he didn't want to, Adrian could shake up his foundation.

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