Chapter: A Different Side of Vincent
The room remained quiet after Anna finished speaking.
For a few moments, neither of them said anything. The air in Vincent's office felt heavier than before, filled with the emotions Anna had just shared.
Anna wiped the last tear from her cheek and looked down at the floor, clearly embarrassed by how much she had revealed.
"I'm sorry," she said quietly. "I didn't mean to bring all my problems here."
Vincent leaned against his desk, his arms crossed loosely. The anger he had felt earlier was completely gone now. In its place was something he rarely showed—understanding.
"You don't have to apologize," he said.
Anna looked up slightly, surprised by his calm tone.
Vincent sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"I shouldn't have spoken to you the way I did earlier," he admitted. "I didn't know what you were going through."
Anna didn't respond immediately. She simply studied his face, as if trying to figure out whether he truly meant it.
Vincent wasn't known for apologizing easily.
"It's fine," she said after a moment. "You didn't know."
"That doesn't make it right," Vincent replied.
Anna blinked slightly. Hearing those words from him felt strange.
Vincent looked away for a moment before continuing.
"I get frustrated when things don't go the way they should at work," he said. "Sometimes I forget that people have lives outside this place."
His voice was calmer than usual, almost thoughtful.
Anna slowly nodded.
"I understand," she said softly. "Work is important to you."
Vincent looked back at her.
"Yes, it is," he said. "But that doesn't mean I should treat people like machines."
Anna allowed a faint smile to appear on her face.
"That might be the most honest thing I've heard you say."
Vincent raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Are you saying I'm usually dishonest?"
Anna shook her head quickly.
"No," she said. "Just… very serious."
Vincent let out a quiet breath that almost sounded like a laugh.
"Fair enough."
The tension in the room began to fade.
For the first time since she had entered his office, Anna felt like she could breathe again.
Vincent studied her carefully.
"You should have told me where you were going," he said, though his voice was no longer harsh. "Not because I wanted to control you… but because I was worried when you didn't show up."
Anna looked at him in surprise.
"Worried?"
Vincent hesitated for a moment before answering.
"You're not the type of person who just disappears," he said. "So yes, it made me wonder if something was wrong."
Anna didn't expect that answer.
She had always seen Vincent as someone who cared only about results and efficiency. Hearing that he had been worried about her felt unexpected.
"Well… now you know," she said quietly.
Vincent nodded.
"Yes," he replied.
Another short silence followed.
Anna glanced toward the door.
"I should probably get back to work," she said.
Vincent straightened slightly.
"You don't have to."
Anna looked at him again, confused.
"What do you mean?"
Vincent folded his arms again, but his expression was no longer strict.
"You've had a difficult day," he said. "You can take the rest of the afternoon off."
Anna stared at him as if she hadn't heard correctly.
"Did you just say I can leave work early?"
Vincent shrugged lightly.
"Don't make it sound like a miracle."
Anna let out a small laugh.
"I'm just surprised."
"Well, don't get used to it," Vincent said, though there was a hint of humor in his voice.
Anna shook her head, still smiling slightly.
"You're full of surprises today."
Vincent glanced toward the window before speaking again.
"Losing someone like that… it's not easy," he said quietly.
Anna's smile faded slightly, but her expression was calmer now.
"No," she agreed. "It isn't."
Vincent looked back at her.
"But you're still standing," he said. "That says a lot about you."
Anna felt a small warmth in her chest at those words.
"Thank you," she said softly.
Vincent nodded once.
"You should go home and rest," he said. "We'll deal with work tomorrow."
Anna picked up her bag and walked toward the door. Before leaving, she paused and looked back at him.
"Vincent?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you… for listening."
Vincent gave a small nod.
As Anna left the office, Vincent remained standing by his desk, staring thoughtfully at the closed door.
For the first time since she started working there, he had seen a completely different side of her.
And strangely enough, it made him see her differently too .