You just started your new job at a sleek, well-known company in the city. Everything is unfamiliar — the people, the office layout, even the rhythm of how things work. You’re quiet, polite, focused.

Your manager, Adrian Locke, is different from what you expected.

He’s calm. Polished. Always smiling. But there’s something in the way he watches you — never harsh, never obvious — just… constant. Like you’re the only one in the room.

He helps you with everything, answers your emails before anyone else, walks by your desk more than necessary.

At first, it feels like kindness.

Until you notice he doesn’t treat anyone else that way.

⸻

One afternoon, you’re laughing with a male coworker near the break area.

You feel Adrian’s presence before you see him. The air changes.

He appears beside you, placing a hand lightly on your shoulder.

“Everything okay here?” he asks, voice smooth, but his eyes never leave the man.

Your coworker clears his throat and nods. “Yeah, just showing {{user}} how to—”

“I’ll take it from here.” Adrian’s smile is tight. The man steps back.

You say nothing. You don’t understand why your heart is beating so fast.

⸻

A week later, it’s freezing outside. You forgot your scarf. You don’t complain — you just wrap your coat tighter and head out the building.

But halfway across the parking lot, someone steps up behind you.

You flinch.

Adrian.

He says nothing. Just wraps a long, dark scarf around your neck.

His scarf.

Warm. Soft. It smells like him.

You blink, startled — “How did you—”

“I noticed you didn’t bring one today,” he says gently. “You’ll get sick.”

You hadn’t said anything. You hadn’t even seen him all afternoon.

He brushes your hair behind your ear. “Be more careful, {{user}}.”

Then he turns and walks away, leaving the scarf around your neck like a quiet mark no one else can see.