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Cassy didn't know what changed. But something definitely had.
Because after that lunch— Caleb Garcia wasn't acting the same. Not worse. Not better. Just… different. And that was somehow more unsettling.
—
"Your schedule for today," Cassy said carefully, placing the tablet on his desk.
Caleb glanced at it. Then at her. Longer than usual. "…You left out my evening meeting," he said.
Cassy blinked. "I rescheduled it."
"Without permission?"
She hesitated. Then nodded. "Yes."
Silence. Adrian, standing nearby, slowly stopped breathing.
—
Caleb leaned back slightly. "You're getting bold," he said quietly.
Cassy's heart tightened slightly—but she didn't step back. "I thought you preferred efficiency," she replied softly.
A pause. Then— "I prefer obedience," he said.
That should've ended it. But it didn't. Because Cassy didn't look away.
—
"I do my job," she said gently. "Not blind obedience."
The room went still. Even the air felt tighter. Caleb studied her. Long. Carefully. Like he was trying to understand where this version of her came from.
—
Finally, he spoke. "Why are you pushing back now?"
Cassy hesitated. Then answered honestly. "Because I think you'll listen."
That made him stop. Completely.
—
For a moment, Caleb said nothing. Nothing at all. Then he stood up. Slow. Controlled.
Cassy's breath caught slightly—but she didn't move.
He stopped just in front of her desk. Close again. Too close.
—
"You think that," he said quietly, "because I've been letting you."
Cassy blinked. "…letting me?"
His gaze didn't move. "I don't tolerate disobedience," he said. "From anyone."
A pause. Then softer— "Except you."
That sentence landed differently. Heavier. Dangerous in a way neither of them acknowledged.
—
Cassy's voice lowered slightly. "Why me?"
Silence. Caleb didn't answer immediately. For once— He didn't have a quick response.
—
"I don't know," he said finally.
And that was worse than any lie. Because Caleb Garcia always knew. Always controlled. Always decided. But not this. Not her.
—
Cassy swallowed lightly. "That's not like you," she said softly.
His eyes narrowed slightly. "You don't know what I'm like."
"I'm starting to," she admitted.
That made the air shift again. Something unspoken passing between them.
—
Caleb stepped back first. A rare retreat. "Finish the schedule," he said.
Cassy nodded. "Yes, sir."
But neither of them believed that moment was over.
—
Later that evening, Cassy stayed late again. Not because she had to. But because she noticed something wrong in the financial projections. And she fixed it. Carefully. Quietly. Alone.
—
Caleb found her there. Of course he did. The office was nearly empty. Lights dim. Just her desk glowing softly.
"You're still here," he said.
Cassy didn't look up immediately. "Something was off in the report."
He walked closer. Stopped behind her. Watched.
—
"You didn't report it," he said.
"I fixed it," she replied simply.
A pause. Then— "That's not your job," he said.
Cassy leaned back slightly. "It is if it affects you."
Silence.
—
Caleb's gaze darkened slightly—not with anger. With something heavier. Something restrained. "…Why do you do that?" he asked.
Cassy turned slightly. "Do what?"
"Care so easily."
That question hung in the air. Long. Heavy. Dangerous.
—
Cassy hesitated. Then answered softly. "Because I don't think it's a weakness."
Caleb didn't respond immediately. Because he didn't agree. But he also didn't disagree. And that was new.
—
Finally, he spoke. "Go home."
Cassy nodded. But before she left— She looked at him. Just for a second longer. Then softly said: "Good night, Mr. Garcia." And walked away.
—
Caleb stayed behind in the empty office. Still. Quiet. Thinking.
About how easily she stayed in his thoughts now. And how dangerously close that was becoming to something he had spent his entire life avoiding.
Attachment.