🖤
Cassy tried to act normal. That was the rule. Pretend nothing changed. Pretend Caleb Garcia was still just her boss. Pretend her heart didn't react every time he said her name. But pretending was getting harder. Especially after yesterday.
—
"Miss Williams."
She looked up immediately. "Yes, sir?"
Caleb stood beside her desk. Close. Too close for an early morning conversation. He placed a small folder in front of her. "Review this."
Cassy nodded. "Right away."
But he didn't leave immediately. He stayed. Watching.
—
Cassy opened the folder. It was a new project proposal. Large-scale expansion. High stakes. Complex numbers.
She frowned slightly in focus. "This is… urgent?" she asked.
"Yes."
A pause. Then she looked up. "Why me?"
That made him still. Just for a second. "You handle things properly," he said simply.
Cassy blinked slightly. That word again. Properly. Like it meant something more than efficiency.
—
She nodded. "I'll prioritize it."
Caleb finally turned to leave. But halfway to his office— "Sir."
He stopped. Slowly, he turned back. Cassy hesitated. "…Do you trust me with this?"
Silence. The office felt quieter instantly. Everyone nearby stopped pretending not to listen. Even Adrian froze slightly.
—
Caleb looked at her. Longer than usual. Too long. Then— "I wouldn't have given it to you if I didn't," he said.
Simple. Direct. But not cold. Cassy nodded slowly. "Okay."
And that was it. But something about it stayed in the air longer than expected.
—
Later that afternoon, Cassy stayed late again. Not because she had to. Because she wanted to finish it properly.
Caleb noticed. Of course he did. He always did.
—
"Still here."
Cassy looked up. He was standing at the entrance of the work area. She smiled faintly. "Almost done."
"You ignored my instruction," he said.
"I finished your project first," she replied gently.
A pause. Then— "That wasn't what I meant," he said.
Cassy blinked. "Then what did you mean?"
Silence. He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he walked closer. Slow. Measured. Stopping just beside her desk.
—
"You don't listen when I tell you to stop working," he said quietly.
Cassy tilted her head slightly. "I listen… I just don't always obey."
That made his eyes narrow slightly. But not in anger. In something else. Something restrained.
—
"Why?" he asked.
Cassy hesitated. Then answered softly. "Because I want to do things well."
Caleb stared at her for a long moment. Then— "That's not always a good reason," he said.
Cassy smiled faintly. "It's the only one I have."
Silence again. Longer this time.
—
Caleb finally looked away. "Leave when you're done," he said. But he didn't move.
Cassy nodded. "Yes, sir."
She turned back to her work. But neither of them left immediately. Because something about the space between them had changed. It wasn't just distance anymore. It was awareness. And awareness… Was dangerous.
—
Later, when she finally left, the hallway lights were dim. Cassy stepped into the elevator alone.
But just before the doors closed— She saw him. Caleb. Standing at a distance. Watching. Not saying anything. Just looking.
And for the first time… Cassy wondered if she was the only one feeling the shift.
—
Inside the office, Caleb didn't move. He stayed there long after she left. Because the truth was simple. He was starting to notice her absence.
And that… Was worse than noticing her presence.