Chapter 4 Stay Professional
Kirana tried to focus. “So far, so good, sir. The team is very supportive.”
Adrian nodded, then leaned back against the desk. “Good. I want us to remain professional.”
Kirana stiffened. “Of course.”
Adrian looked at her again, his gaze difficult to read. “What happened last night… won’t affect your work here.”
Kirana’s heart began to beat faster.
She knew what Adrian meant. He wanted to make sure they could work together without any awkwardness or personal issues.
But… could Kirana really ignore the fact that they had shared something that was supposed to remain a secret from that night alone?
She nodded slowly. “I understand, sir.”
Adrian gave her a faint smile, but there was something in his eyes that told Kirana he was testing her.
“Good,” Adrian finally said. “Then get back to work.”
Kirana immediately turned around, but before she reached the door, Adrian’s voice rang out again.
“Oh, and one more thing, Kirana.”
She stopped.
Adrian looked at her from behind the desk, his eyes filled with meaning. “Don’t get so nervous every time you look at me. Other people might get the wrong idea.”
Kirana’s blood rushed through her veins.
She hurried out, closed the door behind her, and leaned against it, holding her breath.
Oh, God.
It was her first day at work, and she had already nearly lost control.
Kirana walked quickly down the hallway after leaving Adrian’s office, trying to calm herself. Her breathing still hadn’t steadied, and her head was filled with Adrian’s voice, which sounded far too casual and irritating.
“Don’t get so nervous every time you look at me. Other people might get the wrong idea.”
Oh, God. Kirana wanted so badly to turn around and say something sharp, but she was still self-aware enough to stop herself. This wasn’t the place to act impulsively.
She closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. “Calm down, Kirana. Don’t let him know you’re annoyed.”
She had just started walking toward her desk when a coworker named Dinda approached her with a curious look.
“Kirana, how’d you manage to get called into the boss’s office on your very first day?” she asked teasingly.
Kirana forced a smile. “I think it was just a routine procedure. You know, an introduction.”
Dinda nodded, though she still looked suspicious. “Hmm, usually introductions happen in front of a bunch of people, not privately in his office. Boss Adrian isn’t exactly the type to get close to new employees, you know.”
Kirana swallowed. Oh, so he really didn’t usually do this? Then why was I the one he called in?
She merely shrugged. “Maybe I’m special.” She chuckled, trying to divert Dinda’s attention, then hurried to sit at her desk.
But her focus was already a mess. Every time she lowered her gaze to the computer screen, Adrian’s image appeared in her mind. His cold stare. The way he spoke, flat but cutting.
And what annoyed her most?
That man knew she was nervous.
Kirana let out a quiet scoff and typed quickly on her laptop to distract herself. But only a few seconds later, an email notification appeared on her screen.
“[Kirana, prepare a brief report on the new project before the one o’clock meeting. I want to see how well you understand it. Don’t disappoint me.]”
Kirana blinked.
What the hell was this? She had only been working for a few hours, and he was already giving her an assignment like this?
But what irritated her even more was the last sentence.
‘Don’t disappoint me.’
Ugh! Kirana nearly swore. That man really loved testing her patience.
She quickly typed a reply in the most polite tone possible, even though her fingers were itching to add a sarcastic comment.
“[Yes, sir. I’ll prepare it.]”
After sending the email, Kirana leaned back in her chair and let out a long sigh.
“First day at work, and I already want to smash my laptop,” she muttered.
But one thing was certain: she wouldn’t let Adrian win. If he was testing her, then she would prove that she could remain professional.
Even though, deep down… she really wanted to scream out of sheer frustration.