PART 11 — The Game She Started
1130 Words
The atmosphere didn’t recover after that.
Not completely.
Not even close.
Something had shifted.
Something dangerous.
She was quieter than usual.
More distant.
Like she was trying to rebuild the walls I just broke.
And I hated it.
“You should take a break,” I said.
She didn’t even look at me.
“I’m fine.”
That answer again.
“I didn’t ask if you’re fine,” I replied.
Now she looked up.
Slightly annoyed.
“Then what are you asking?”
“I’m asking why you’re pretending again.”
Silence.
Her fingers tightened around the pen she was holding.
“I’m not pretending.”
“You are.”
Our eyes locked.
Tension.
Thick.
Unavoidable.
“Not everything is about you,” she said.
That sentence…
Was sharp.
And for a moment…
It actually hurt.
“Maybe not,” I replied calmly.
“But this is.”
Silence again.
She looked away first.
Of course she did.
Because she knows.
Before I could say anything else—
My phone rang.
Perfect timing.
I glanced at the screen.
Her name.
Again.
I picked it up.
“What?”
Straight to the point.
“I think we need to talk,” her voice came through.
Calm.
Too calm.
“I’m busy.”
“It won’t take long.”
Silence.
I didn’t like this.
Not her tone.
Not her timing.
“Make it quick,” I said.
“Meet me in the lounge.”
Then she hung up.
No explanation.
No hesitation.
Just like always.
I looked up.
She was watching me.
Quietly.
“Work?” she asked.
“Something like that.”
She nodded.
But I could see it.
That slight change in her eyes.
Curiosity.
Or maybe…
Something else.
“I’ll be back,” I said.
She didn’t respond.
Just went back to her work.
Like she didn’t care.
But I knew better.
The lounge was empty.
Except for her.
Sitting comfortably.
Like she owned the place.
“You took your time,” she said.
“I said I was busy.”
She smiled.
“With her?”
Straight to the point.
“I don’t discuss my personal matters.”
“Interesting,” she said softly.
Her eyes studied me carefully.
“You’ve changed more than I thought.”
“I didn’t come here for this,” I said.
“Get to the point.”
She leaned forward slightly.
“I’m going to make this simple,” she said.
Something about her tone…
Felt wrong.
“I want you back.”
Silence.
I didn’t react.
Not surprised.
Not even a little.
“You’re wasting your time,” I said.
“Am I?” she tilted her head.
“Yes.”
Her smile didn’t disappear.
“Even after everything we had?”
I looked at her.
Cold.
“That ended a long time ago.”
She chuckled.
“Did it?”
Silence.
Because that question…
Had layers.
Layers I didn’t want to deal with.
“You’re not here for me,” I said.
Her eyes flickered.
Just for a second.
Then she smiled again.
“Smart.”
There it is.
The real reason.
“What do you want?” I asked.
She stood up.
Walking slowly toward me.
Step by step.
“I want control of this project,” she said.
I frowned slightly.
“You already have your part.”
“Not enough.”
Of course.
It’s never enough.
“And what makes you think I’ll give you more?” I asked.
She stopped right in front of me.
Close.
But not too close.
“Because I know something,” she said softly.
My eyes narrowed.
“What?”
She smiled.
“That your assistant…”
Pause.
“…is your weakness.”
Silence.
Cold.
Heavy.
I didn’t move.
Didn’t react.
But inside…
Something snapped.
“You’re wrong,” I said calmly.
“Am I?” she whispered.
Her eyes searched mine.
Looking for a reaction.
Looking for confirmation.
“She affects your decisions,” she continued.
“No.”
“She distracts you.”
“No.”
“You care about her.”
Silence.
That one…
I didn’t answer.
Because I couldn’t lie.
And she saw it.
Of course she did.
“There it is,” she smiled.
Something dark in her expression now.
“Careful,” she said softly.
“People like me…”
Pause.
“…know how to use that.”
That was it.
A threat.
Clear.
Direct.
I stepped closer.
Now the distance was gone.
“Try it,” I said quietly.
My voice low.
Dangerous.
And for the first time…
She didn’t smile.
“Don’t push me,” I continued.
Because I meant it.
Completely.
She held my gaze.
Then slowly…
Her smile returned.
“I like this version of you,” she said.
I stepped back.
Conversation over.
“We’re done here.”
But before I could walk away—
“One more thing,” she said.
I stopped.
Without turning.
“If she gets hurt…”
Silence.
“…it won’t be by accident.”
That sentence…
Changed everything.
Slowly…
I turned back.
Our eyes met again.
This time…
There was no game.
No pretense.
Just tension.
Real.
Dangerous tension.
“You won’t touch her,” I said.
It wasn’t a request.
It was a warning.
She smiled.
“We’ll see.”
When I got back—
Something felt off.
Too quiet.
Too still.
“She left,” the receptionist said.
My chest tightened.
“When?”
“A few minutes ago.”
Why?
She never leaves early.
Unless—
I didn’t think.
I just moved.
Fast.
Out of the building.
Looking around.
And then—
I saw her.
Standing outside.
Alone.
Looking… lost.
Relieved.
And broken.
At the same time.
I walked toward her.
Step by step.
“Why did you leave?” I asked.
She looked at me.
Her eyes…
Were different again.
Not angry.
Not cold.
But hurt.
“I think I understand now,” she said softly.
“Understand what?”
She smiled slightly.
But it didn’t reach her eyes.
“Why everything feels so complicated.”
My chest felt tight.
“Don’t do this,” I said.
But she shook her head.
“I’m tired.”
That word…
Scared me.
“I’m tired of guessing,” she continued.
“Tired of competing…”
Competing?
“With her,” she finished.
Silence.
“You don’t have to—”
“Yes, I do,” she cut me off.
Her voice stronger now.
“Because no matter what you say…”
Her eyes locked with mine.
“She’s still there.”
And that…
Was the truth I couldn’t deny.
And for the first time… I realized I might lose her again—not because of the past, but because of the present.
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