The evening air was cool as Elena Li pedaled her e‑bike down the busy street, relieved to be heading home after another overwhelming day. The city lights flickered, cars honked, and her thoughts drifted between the stack of reports she had yet to finish and the strange new assistant who seemed far too attentive.
Then, fate struck again.
At a sharp turn, her front wheel caught on a loose stone. The bike jolted, and before she could steady herself, Elena tumbled to the ground. Pain shot through her knee as she scraped against the pavement.
A sleek black car screeched to a halt nearby. The door opened, and Adrian Chen stepped out, his expression alarmed. He had been following her discreetly, his luxurious sedan shadowing her modest e‑bike.
"Elena!" he called, rushing forward. He knelt beside her, his hands steady as he helped her sit up. "Are you hurt?"
She winced, embarrassed. "I'm fine… I just fell."
Blood trickled from her knee, and Adrian's brows furrowed. "That doesn't look fine." He pulled a small first‑aid kit from his car — something he always carried and began cleaning the wound with careful precision.
Elena stared at him, suspicion flickering in her eyes. "Why are you here? You're just my assistant. How did you know I'd be on this road?"
Adrian paused, then smiled lightly, masking the truth. "I live nearby. And I'm friends with the CEO's assistant. He asked me to keep an eye on you, since you're new. It's nothing unusual."
She frowned. "Friends with the CEO's assistant?"
"Yes," Adrian said smoothly, continuing to bandage her knee. "We help each other out. He couldn't come, so I did."
Elena studied him, uncertain, but his calm tone and gentle hands eased her doubts.
Once her wound was bandaged, Adrian helped her to her feet. "You shouldn't ride the bike tonight. Let me drive you home."
She hesitated. "I don't want to trouble you."
"It's no trouble," he replied simply. He guided her to his car, opening the door with quiet courtesy.
Inside, the leather seats felt far too luxurious compared to her modest lifestyle. She glanced around nervously. "This car… it doesn't look like something an assistant would own."
Adrian chuckled softly. "It's borrowed. From my friend. Remember, the CEO's assistant? He lent it to me."
Elena nodded slowly, still suspicious but too tired to argue.
As the car glided through the streets, Adrian kept his voice light, avoiding anything too intimate. "Do you prefer tea or coffee in the evenings?" he asked casually.
She blinked. "Tea, usually. Why?"
He smiled. "Just making notes. Assistants should know these things."
She laughed softly. "You're taking this job very seriously."
"It's my responsibility," he said simply.
When they reached her apartment, Adrian carried her bag inside, insisting she rest. He placed the documents neatly on her desk. "These are tomorrow's files the client proposals, budget outlines, and HR guidelines. I've marked the sections you'll need to review."
Elena sat on the sofa, watching him move with quiet efficiency. "You're… different from other assistants."
He looked up, smiling faintly. "Maybe I just care about doing things properly."
Meanwhile, Marcus Wu called Adrian's phone, his voice trembling. "Sir, this is madness. You're driving her home, bandaging her wounds, pretending to be me. If she finds out, I'm finished."
Adrian replied calmly, "Relax, Marcus. She suspects nothing. Just keep covering for me at the office."
Marcus groaned. "Do you know how terrifying it is to scold you in front of her? Every time I raise my voice, I think you'll fire me."
Adrian chuckled. "You play the role well. Keep it up."
That night, after Adrian left, Elena touched the bandage on her knee and sighed. "He's too much… but he's kind."
She lay back on her bed, her thoughts swirling. Who exactly was this assistant? Why did he seem so capable, so attentive, so… different?
She didn't know. But she would find out.