🖤
Cassy kept her promise. She didn't disappear. But she didn't come closer either.
The next few days felt… controlled. Carefully balanced. Like both of them were walking a line they didn't fully understand.
"Miss Williams, the contract—"
"Already sent." "Your 3 p.m. meeting—"
"Confirmed." "Email draft—"
"Done." Perfect. Efficient. Untouchable. And Caleb hated it.
Because this version of her, the professional one, didn't look at him the same way. Didn't hesitate. Didn't feel. Or at least… Didn't show it.
"Sir?"
He looked up. Cassy stood at his desk. Tablet in hand. Expression calm.
"Yes?"
"Your schedule for tomorrow." She placed it in front of him. Didn't linger. Didn't stay.
He didn't look at it. He looked at her. "You're avoiding me again." Direct. No hesitation.
Cassy met his gaze. "No," she said softly. A pause. "I'm respecting what I asked for." Time.
Silence.
Caleb leaned back slightly. "…And how long does that take?"
Cassy hesitated. "…I don't know." Honest. Careful. Real. That answer didn't satisfy him. But he didn't push. Not this time.
Because something else was happening. Something he didn't expect. And it walked in without knocking. "Veronica."
Cassy froze slightly. That name again. She turned. And there she was. Standing in the doorway like she belonged there. Like she always had.
"I hope I'm not interrupting," Veronica said smoothly. But her eyes were already scanning the room. Taking everything in. Especially Cassy.
"You are," Caleb replied. Cold. Immediate.
But Veronica only smiled. "That didn't stop me before." A pause. "May I come in?"
Caleb didn't answer right away. And that hesitation did something to Cassy. "Miss Williams, you can go," he said. Professional. Controlled.
Cassy nodded. Of course she did. But as she turned, "Veronica." Her voice. Cassy stopped. Slowly turned back.
"Yes?" Veronica said. A small smile playing on her lips.
"…Your schedule," Cassy said calmly, "requires appointments."
Silence.
Even Caleb looked at her.
Veronica raised an eyebrow. "…Excuse me?"
Cassy didn't move. Didn't hesitate. "If you'd like to meet Mr. Garcia," she continued softly, "I can arrange it properly." That line, that calm authority, that quiet boundary. It shifted everything.
Veronica's smile faded slightly. Not completely. But enough. "That won't be necessary," she said. A pause. "I don't need an appointment."
Cassy held her gaze. "Everyone does."
Silence.
The room went still. Caleb didn't interrupt. Didn't step in. Because he was watching something unfold. Something he didn't expect.
Veronica stepped closer. Slow. Measured. "You're bold," she said. Not a compliment. Not an insult. Just… observation.
Cassy smiled faintly. "I do my job properly." That word again. Properly.
Veronia glanced at Caleb. Then back at Cassy.
"I can see why he keeps you," she said softly. A pause. "But don't misunderstand your place." There it was. The line. Clear. Sharp. Intentional.
Cassy's expression didn't change. But something in her eyes did. "I don't," she replied gently. A pause. "Do you?"
Silence. That landed. Hard.
Caleb's gaze sharpened slightly. Because that was new.
Veronica studied her for a long moment. Then smiled again. "…Interesting," she said softly.
Cassy nodded once. Then turned. And walked out.
Caleb didn't stop her. But his eyes followed her. Until the door closed behind her.
Silence filled the room.
Veronica exhaled softly. "…She's not just a secretary."
Caleb didn't look at her. "No." A pause. "She's not."
And that was the first time he said it out loud. And it changed everything.