The next day—
Something changed.
"Good morning, sir!" Lina greeted brightly.
"…Good morning."
But his tone was different.
More distant.
More controlled.
Lina blinked.
Huh?
Throughout the day—
He avoided unnecessary interaction.
Short replies.
No lingering looks.
No shared lunch.
Lina noticed immediately.
"Did I do something wrong…?" she murmured.
Even the office felt it.
"The CEO seems colder today…"
"Did something happen?"
Lina hesitated outside his office.
Then knocked.
"Come in."
She stepped inside.
"…Sir?"
"Yes?"
She paused.
Then—
"…Are you mad at me?"
"No."
"Then why are you acting like this?"
"I'm not."
"You are," she said softly.
Silence.
Adrian didn't respond.
Lina looked at him carefully.
Then smiled—gentler this time.
"If I did something wrong… you can tell me."
"You didn't."
"Then…"
She hesitated.
"…Why does it feel like you're pushing me away?"
That question lingered in the air.
Heavy.
Honest.
Adrian finally looked at her.
Really looked.
And for a moment—
His composure almost cracked.
"…It's necessary," he said quietly.
"For what?"
He didn't answer.
Because he knew—
If he didn't create distance now—
He wouldn't be able to later.
And that—
Was far more dangerous.
Lina stood there, confused.
Hurt.
But still trying to understand.
"…You're really strange, sir," she said softly.
A faint, sad smile formed on her lips.
Then she turned and left.
And for the first time—
The distance between them felt real.