XAVIER'S POV
Xavier
The door clicked shut after she left, and silence reclaimed my office.
I stared at the screen in front of me, pretending to read the quarterly reports, but my mind was far from numbers and charts. Her voice lingered — soft, uncertain… hopeful.
"I started to wonder if maybe… you felt something? For me?"
I leaned back in my chair and exhaled slowly, dragging a hand down my face. I hadn't meant for things to go this way. I hadn't planned anything — the coffee, the notes, the little gestures. They were just… instinctive. Natural. Being around her had become something I looked forward to without realizing it.
But that question. That moment.
I'd told myself it was better not to blur the lines. I was her boss. There were boundaries. Professionalism. Structure. Besides, I wasn't the type to chase fleeting emotions. I never had been. But still, her words clung to me. They echoed like a quiet knock in an empty hallway. Persistent.
She had been brave — more than I expected. And though I told myself I made the right choice, I couldn't deny one thing:
I kept thinking about her.
Not just what she said — but how her eyes dropped when I denied it. How her smile stiffened, just for a second. It was the kind of hurt you don't scream about — the kind you swallow and carry quietly.
I shook the thought away, forcing my attention back to my screen. I had a full schedule and no room for distractions — even the ones with bright eyes and sunflower smiles.
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KHLOE'S POV
The air outside felt different — clearer, calmer. I stood near the building's fountain, arms wrapped around myself, letting the light breeze wash over my skin.
Ayra was right. I needed this. A reset.
When I returned inside, my face was cooler, and my thoughts less tangled. Back at my desk, I focused on my work — responding to emails, organizing the calendar, avoiding looking toward Xavier's door even though I could feel his presence like heat from a nearby fire.
A few hours passed.
Just after lunch, Clara — our ever-vibrant receptionist — appeared at my desk with a friendly knock on the side panel.
"Hey, sunshine," she said gently. "Here are the files for the marketing pitch tomorrow." She placed a neat folder stack beside my keyboard.
"Thanks, Clara," I said, grateful for her warmth.
She tilted her head slightly. "You okay?"
"I'm getting there," I replied with a tired smile.
Clara nodded. "Good. Because you're one of the strongest people here, and I hope you know that."
I didn't know how she knew… but somehow she always did.
By 6:00 p.m., the sun was starting its slow dip, painting the sky with soft gold and lavender. I stood to pack my bag, ready to drag myself to the bus stop like every other day.
Before I could make it out of the department, one of the floor assistants caught up to me.
"Miss Khloe? Mr. Xavier asked me to let you know your ride is waiting downstairs."
I frowned. "My ride?"
"Yes. Jayden— he said he insisted."
I hesitated. I hadn't agreed to this. And I didn't want favors from him. Not today.
But as I glanced at the evening sky, already dimming, and felt the ache in my shoulders from holding so much inside — I sighed.
"Alright," I said softly. "Thanks."
The car ride was quiet. Jayden, ever the gentleman, didn't ask questions. He played soft jazz through the speakers, and I leaned against the window, watching the city slip by.
By the time I got home, the heaviness had started to lift — not completely gone, but lighter. Manageable.
My mom greeted me at the door, arms wide as always, eyes full of concern and love. I melted into her hug without a word.
And that night, as I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, I thought of Xavier only once — then let the thought drift away.
Tomorrow was a new day. And I had survived this one.