A New Presence
The next morning, Ella reached the office earlier than usual.
She didn't want to be late again. She didn't want to give anyone a reason to question her work. So she sat down quietly and started going through her tasks before the day properly began.
The office was still half-empty, calm and silent.
For a while, everything felt manageable.
Until it didn't.
Around mid-morning, the atmosphere shifted slightly.
A few employees near the entrance started whispering, their attention drawn toward the elevator. Someone new had arrived.
Ella didn't pay attention at first. She kept working, focused on her screen.
Then she heard her name.
"Ella?"
Her fingers paused.
She slowly looked up.
And for the first time since she joined Sterling, her expression changed.
"Xavier…?"
He smiled as he walked toward her. "It's really you."
There was a brief moment of surprise, followed by something softer.
"It's been so long," he said.
Ella nodded, still processing. "I didn't know you were joining here."
"I didn't know you were here either," he replied. "First day today."
There was an ease in his presence. Something familiar and comfortable.
Without realizing it, Ella smiled.
It wasn't forced. It wasn't controlled.
It was real.
Inside his office, Ethan noticed.
He had been reviewing a document when his eyes shifted toward the glass wall, almost out of habit.
That was when he saw her.
Talking to someone.
Smiling.
For a second, he thought he was mistaken.
But he wasn't.
His grip on the pen tightened slightly.
He didn't know who the man was, but he didn't like what he was seeing.
A few minutes later, Xavier was called into Ethan's office.
He walked in confidently and greeted him politely.
Ethan gestured for him to sit, his expression calm but distant.
"I've reviewed your profile," Ethan said. "You'll be leading the new project."
Xavier nodded. "Understood."
There was a short pause before Ethan added, "You seem familiar with someone on my team."
Xavier didn't hesitate. "Ella. We studied together."
Ethan's gaze remained steady, but something in his expression hardened slightly.
"I see," he said.
That was all.
But the tone carried more than the words.
When Xavier stepped out, he went back to Ella's desk.
"So, we're working in the same place now," he said with a light smile.
Ella nodded. "Looks like it."
"At least I know someone here," he added.
She gave a small smile again.
And once again, Ethan noticed.
The rest of the day continued, but not in the same way.
There was a shift.
Subtle, but present.
In the afternoon, Ella was called into Ethan's office.
She walked in calmly. "Sir?"
He looked up at her, his expression unreadable.
"For the new project," he said, "you'll coordinate directly with Xavier."
Ella nodded. "Okay."
That was all she said.
No hesitation. No reaction.
Ethan watched her for a moment.
"You seem comfortable with him," he added.
Ella paused slightly before replying, "We know each other."
Her tone was simple. Honest.
But it didn't sit well with him.
"Keep it professional," he said.
The words came out sharper than intended.
Ella frowned slightly. "I always do."
There was a brief silence.
Then she turned and walked out.
Ethan remained where he was, his gaze fixed on the door after she left.
Something about that exchange stayed with him.
He didn't like the way she answered.
Didn't like the way she left without waiting.
Didn't like the fact that it affected him.
Outside, Ella stood near Xavier again.
They spoke briefly about work, about the project, about small things that didn't carry weight.
For a moment, it felt easier.
Normal.
From inside his office, Ethan saw it again.
The conversation.
The ease between them.
The small smile on her face.
This time, he didn't look away.
His expression darkened slightly, though he didn't fully understand why.
He leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly against the desk.
He told himself it didn't matter.
That she didn't matter.
That this was just work.
But the thought didn't stay.
Because no matter how much he ignored it—
He had already noticed.
And once he noticed—
He wouldn't forget.