🖤
The next morning arrived too quickly for Cassy. She barely slept. Her mind kept replaying the same moments over and over again—
You won't last long like that. Everyone has a choice. Go home.
And yet… she still showed up. Because she had to. Because she needed this job. Because Luna was counting on her.
—
Cassy stepped into Garcia Enterprises earlier than usual. The lobby was still quiet, almost peaceful. Too peaceful. Until she reached her desk. A small brown paper bag sat neatly on top of it.
She froze. There was no name. No note. Just her. Cassy looked around. No one was nearby. Slowly, she opened it.
Inside— A sandwich. Fresh fruit. And a bottle of water.
Her breath caught slightly. "…What?" She blinked, confused. Then she noticed something else. A sticky note slipped inside the bag.
Two words. Eat it.
No signature. But she already knew. Her gaze slowly lifted toward the CEO's office. The blinds were closed. But she could feel it. He was there. Watching.
—
Inside his office, Caleb sat as usual. Unreadable. Unmoving. But his fingers tapped lightly against his desk. Once. Twice. Then stopped. He shouldn't have done it. It was unnecessary. Irrelevant. A waste of attention.
And yet— He did it anyway. His jaw tightened slightly. "This is ridiculous," he muttered.
—
Cassy sat at her desk, staring at the bag. A small smile formed on her lips. Not bright like before. Not forced. Something softer. Quieter.
"…Thank you," she whispered to no one. She took a bite.
—
Later that morning, Caleb called her in.
Cassy entered carefully, holding her tablet. "Yes, sir?"
He didn't look up immediately. "Did you eat?"
The question caught her off guard. She blinked. "Yes."
A pause. "Good."
That was all. Nothing more. Nothing less. But somehow… It felt heavier than it should have.
—
Cassy hesitated before speaking again. "Did you… leave it?"
Caleb finally looked at her. Cold eyes. Unchanging expression. "No." One word. A lie.
Cassy studied him for a second. Then smiled slightly. "…Okay." She didn't push. She didn't insist. She just accepted it.
And that— Confused him more than anything else.
—
"Finish the investor report," Caleb said, turning back to his screen.
Cassy nodded. "Yes, sir." She turned to leave.
But his voice stopped her again. "Cassy."
She froze. It was the first time he said her name. Not "Miss Williams." Not "you." Just her name.
She slowly turned back. "Yes?"
Caleb's gaze lingered for a second too long. "…Don't stay late again."
Her eyes softened slightly. "I'll try."
"That's not an answer."
A pause. Then— "I won't," she corrected gently.
Caleb looked away first. "Good."
—
But after she left… He stayed still. Her name echoed in his mind longer than it should have.
Cassy. It felt unfamiliar on his tongue. Too personal. Too close.
He leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. "This is getting out of hand," he muttered.
But even as he said it— He didn't stop it.