E- THE BREA

EAL'S

his long business trip. With work looming tomorrow-and knowing I'd already b

when I

s a sadness in her eyes that tugged at something deep inside me. Part of me wanted to keep driv

ion, I tapped the horn ge

" she said, offering a soft

ear I could los

ing,

here, sir? Do you

visit my Grandpa. He

missing from work," she said wi

I should've. "Heading somewhere? Need a ride?" I asked, reaching t

heading back in soon," she said, standing

en," I said, trying to hide my disappointment

here she was-walking back, her figure shrinking w

ace, the way she pours herself into everything she does-it all drew me to her. And then I found out she

l the time. I can't pretend anymore. I h

mportant meeting scheduled today, and I couldn't af

ith quiet tension. Everyone turned toward me. "G

will begin. Please get prepared," I sai

ing their breath around me. I never understood why they

yone settled down quickly, eyes fixed forward. Mrs. Cole handed over

ugh the pages. "This project is base

or, clicking through slides as she explained the key points of the propo

hniques? That's the logical flow, isn't it? And here-in my copy-page three lists the in

oice. "I told you to give him th

rribly sorry, sir. It seems I handed you

a different copy. "Here, sir.

between them. My voice turned calm but sharp. "Mr

submitted it to Mr. Peter for

"Then tell me, Mr. Peter-why did

asking out of protocol-I wanted to hear h

s a full of things she found online, so I rejected it and asked her to rewri

front of him. "The previous and current versions are exactly the same. D

rise with anger. I

he muttered, looki

at him. "From this moment on, all proposals are to be broug

added, "And as for you, me

ft the meeting room. "Thi

ce, the sound of my footste

door quietly behind him. He stood stiffly, e

I'm not just angry because you failed to read a proposal," I began, my tone cold and

pped up. "Si

u've been playing politics i

panic creeping into his voi

ership who plays favorites instead of making fair, professional decisions. Consider this your final

s the words, but I had already turned away, dismissing him without another gl

the looks on everyone's faces, I could tell there was a

their tasks, taking client calls and wrapping up re

tepped out of my office. It was as if they'd all been waiting for the s

not to hear him as he called after her. When he followed, she entered into the restroom-probably to

said, "Still have some unfinishe

now," he replied, then s

e restroom, cautiously peeking out as if to check if the

id, clearly startled. I could hear the fear and

tayed back a bit," I replied, not wantin

ut now. I can give you a ride home," I offered. When I saw the refusal already forming on

nd, then gave a small nod

lot, and I spotted Dave

see her, then opened the passenger-side door for her to get in. On

g lightly, trying to stay out of sight. "He ca

sed. "How did you know I

er, Lucy," I said

easy to

re relaxed this tim

u're avoiding him? Are you two... fightin

... complicated," she said quietly, looking out the window. "I just d

have to explain anythi

he lack of pressure. "Thank you for u

chuckle, hoping to ease her nerves. "But if

me with a bit more warmth

when it's just the two o

" she said slowly

ove. I glanced at her briefly-her posture was more relaxed now, and I could tell that, even if she

screen, and in an instant, her whole mood changed. The warmth in her face

She didn't respond right away. Instead, she locked her phone, clut

e murmured, "Thank you for the ride

something happen?

ding eye contact. "Goodnight, sir," s

ding, her shoulders tense, her steps hurri

age was... it had c

ng in the car, wondering

no idea wh