Nia
Monday arrived with a heaviness I could not explain. The charity dinner lingered in my mind like a memory I was not allowed to keep. I walked into the office earlier than usual, hoping work would drown out my thoughts.
It did not.
"Good morning," I greeted softly as I reached my desk.
No response.
Vanessa stood there, arms folded, her expression tight. "You are getting comfortable."
"I am doing my job," I replied, setting my bag down.
She leaned closer. "Alexander does not mix business with charity cases."
My hands stilled. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," she said quietly. "Do not mistake his politeness for interest."
Before I could respond, his office door opened.
"Ms. Sinclair," Alexander said coolly. "If you are done, I need Ms. Daniels."
Vanessa straightened instantly. "Of course."
Her glare promised this was not over.
Inside his office, Alexander did not ask me to sit. He paced once, then stopped.
"My grandmother asked about you this morning," he said.
I blinked. "Asked what?"
"Who you were. Where you came from."
A knot formed in my chest. "I hope I did not cause trouble."
"You did not," he replied. "But attention creates questions."
"I understand."
Silence stretched between us.
"You should keep your distance," he said finally.
I looked up at him. "From you?"
"Yes."
The word hurt more than I expected. "I have not crossed any lines."
"I know," he said, his voice lower. "That is the problem."
I left his office with my heart racing. Distance. Control. Lines. He spoke like a man at war with himself, and I was caught in the middle.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. By evening, my head ached and my chest felt tight. As I gathered my things, a message appeared on my phone.
Unknown Number
We need to talk. Tonight.
I frowned. Before I could reply, another message came through.
Vanessa Sinclair.
My stomach dropped.
I should have ignored it. I did not.
We met at a quiet café not far from the office. She arrived perfectly composed, like she had rehearsed this moment.
"I will be direct," she said after we sat. "Alexander and I have history."
"I am not interested in that," I replied.
She smiled thinly. "You should be. Because he belongs in my world. You do not."
"I am not trying to take anything from you."
"That is what girls like you always say."
I stood. "This conversation is over."
Her voice stopped me. "If you get hurt, remember I warned you."
I walked out with my hands shaking.
Alexander
I knew something was wrong the moment I saw Nia leave early.
Vanessa had been too quiet. Too smug.
I found her in my office, sitting where she had no right to sit.
"What did you do?" I asked coldly.
She looked up, surprised. "I had coffee with your assistant."
Anger flared sharp and fast. "You will not interfere with my staff."
"She is not just staff," Vanessa said. "And you know it."
I stepped closer. "You are crossing a line."
She stood, her eyes bright. "You already crossed it first."
After she left, I stared out the window, jaw tight.
I had warned Nia to keep her distance.
Yet I was the one failing to do so.
And somewhere deep inside, I knew this was only the beginning of complications I could no longer control.