I Hated My Cold Boss — Until a Storm Trapped Us in the Cabin
Chapter 6
Dating Adrian was nothing like working for him.
At work, he was serious.
At home, he was sarcastic.
At dinner, he stole food from her plate.
On weekends, he wore old sneakers.
Claire laughed at the contrast.
“You really are two different people.”
He smiled.
“Which one do you prefer?”
“The one who cheats at cards.”
He laughed.
They kept the relationship private.
Only a few trusted colleagues knew.
They set boundaries.
No work discussions during dates.
No making decisions for each other.
No using influence.
No public displays at company events.
It worked.
Adrian became more open.
Claire became calmer.
They talked about marriage.
Children.
Careers.
Dreams.
One Saturday, they returned to Montana.
The cabin looked exactly the same.
Claire stepped inside.
“I can’t believe we were trapped here.”
Adrian smiled.
“Neither can I.”
They explored the property.
There was a small lake behind the cabin.
Claire sat on the dock.
Adrian joined her.
“What would your twenty-year-old self think of you now?”
She laughed.
“Probably disappointed.”
“Why?”
“I thought I’d own my own design firm.”
“Would you still?”
“Maybe.”
He looked at her.
“You should.”
She smiled.
“You always say that.”
“Because I mean it.”
He told her he had started taking architecture classes again.
She was surprised.
“Really?”
“Online.”
“When?”
“At night.”
She stared.
“You secretly started your dream?”
He smiled.
“Maybe.”
She kissed him.
“Good.”
They spent the weekend without discussing business.
It reminded them why they had fallen for each other.
But returning to Boston changed things.
The board became suspicious.
Investors noticed Adrian’s behavior.
Rumors appeared.
Someone accused Claire of receiving preferential treatment.
Adrian responded immediately.
He asked for an independent review of all decisions involving her.
Nothing improper was found.
Still, Claire was embarrassed.
“I don’t want this.”
“Neither do I.”
“Maybe we should stop.”
He looked at her.
“Do you want to?”
“No.”
“Then don’t.”
She smiled.
“I hate when you’re reasonable.”
He laughed.
The investigation cleared them.
Their relationship survived.
Then Adrian’s father left a final surprise.
A letter.
It had been sealed for years.
It was discovered in an old safe.
Adrian read it silently.
Claire watched his expression change.
“What does it say?”
He handed it to her.
His father had written that Adrian should one day stop living for the company.
He should build something of his own.
He should choose a life he wanted.
Not one inherited from family expectations.
Claire looked at Adrian.
“Your father wanted you to leave.”
“Maybe.”
“What will you do?”
“I’m not sure.”
He looked toward the window.
“Maybe the question isn’t whether I leave.”
“It’s whether I finally choose.”
Claire smiled.
“Then choose.”
He took her hand.
“I choose you.”
