🖤
By the end of the week, Cassy had learned something no one told her— Caleb Garcia never said "good job." Not even once. But he also hadn't fired her. And in this company, that already meant something.
—
It was past 8 p.m. The office was almost empty, the once-busy floor now quiet and dim. Most employees had gone home hours ago. But Cassy stayed. She sat at her desk, reviewing files under the soft glow of her screen, her eyes slightly tired but determined.
She couldn't afford mistakes. Not here. Not now.
—
Inside his office, Caleb noticed. Of course he did. He noticed everything. His gaze shifted briefly toward the glass walls, where Cassy's silhouette was still visible.
"She's still here…" he muttered. Annoyance flickered across his face. Or something close to it. He stood up, walking out of his office without a word.
—
Cassy didn't notice him at first. She was too focused, flipping through documents, double-checking numbers.
"You're still here." His voice cut through the silence.
Cassy startled slightly, looking up. "Oh—Mr. Garcia." She quickly stood. "I was just finishing tomorrow's schedule."
"It's already done," he said flatly.
"I know," she replied gently. "I just wanted to make sure everything was perfect."
Caleb's eyes narrowed slightly. "Perfection doesn't exist."
Cassy smiled faintly. "Maybe not. But I can try to get close." That answer lingered. Too sincere. Too… her.
He didn't respond right away. Instead, his gaze drifted to the untouched food container sitting on her desk. "You didn't eat." It wasn't a question.
Cassy blinked, then glanced at it. "Oh… I forgot."
"You forgot?" His tone sharpened. "Or you chose not to?"
She hesitated. And for the first time— She didn't smile right away. "I just needed to finish this," she said quietly.
Caleb studied her. Closely. There it was. A crack. Small. But real. "You won't last long like that," he said.
Cassy looked back at him, her expression soft but steady. "I don't have a choice."
Silence filled the space between them. Different this time. Heavier.
Caleb's jaw tightened slightly. "Everyone has a choice."
"Not always," she whispered.
And just like that— Something shifted. That wasn't just an answer. That was truth. Raw. Unfiltered. Personal.
Caleb didn't know what to say to that. Didn't want to. So he turned away. "Go home," he said coldly.
Cassy blinked. "But—"
"That's an order."
She hesitated for a second, then nodded. "Yes, sir."
She gathered her things quickly, her movements quieter now. Less bright. Less light. Before leaving, she paused. "Good night, Mr. Garcia."
He didn't respond. The door closed.
—
But the silence she left behind… Felt louder than anything else. Caleb stood still, his eyes lingering on the empty desk she once occupied. His gaze shifted slowly to the untouched food container.
Then back to the door. "…She didn't even argue."
That bothered him. More than it should. He walked over, picking up the container, staring at it for a moment.
Then, without thinking— He placed it neatly inside her drawer. As if she'd be back to get it tomorrow.
—
Across the city, Cassy walked home under dim streetlights, her arms wrapped around herself. Her smile was gone. Just for now. Her phone buzzed.
"Did you eat?" —Luna
Cassy stared at the message. Then typed back: "I will. Don't worry 💖" She paused before sending it. Then hit send anyway.
—
Some people stayed because they wanted to.
Cassy Williams stayed… Because she had to.
And Caleb Garcia— Was starting to notice the difference.