There's One Thing I Like About Him

Chapter Fourteen

Trisha

I walked back into the office, a feeling of disorientation clung to me. The night with Cliff had been an unexpected mix of emotions—his presence had felt comforting and yet strangely stirring. But my thoughts were still haunted by the fleeting vision of Ethan, the one thing that wouldn’t let me rest easy.

It was well past midnight, and the usually quiet office was eerily silent. I could hear the hum of the air conditioning and the occasional creak of the old building settling into the night. I had hoped that the brief escape with Cliff would clear my mind, but the memory of Ethan’s face persisted like an unwanted echo.

I was about to sit down at my desk when I noticed something unusual. A small, neatly wrapped package sat on my chair, accompanied by a note. My heart raced as I picked up the note, recognizing Ethan’s handwriting.

Dear Trish,

As I sit here reflecting on everything that has happened over the past few months, I realize there's something important I need to tell you. It's something I’ve been grappling with, and I want to be honest about my feelings, even though I haven’t found the right moment to share them with you.

I’ve always admired you—not just as a colleague but as a person. Your dedication, your drive, and your ability to navigate the complexities of our work with such grace have been nothing short of inspiring. It’s rare to find someone who matches both your passion and your heart, and I’ve come to realize that my feelings for you have grown beyond admiration.

I’ve been hesitant to bring this up, partly because of the timing and partly because I respect the boundaries that come with our professional relationship. But I can no longer ignore how much I care about you. The truth is, I have feelings for you, feelings that have developed over time. It’s not just about your kindness or your strength—it’s about a connection I feel with you that goes deeper than mere friendship.

I know this might come as a surprise, especially given my current relationship with Isabelle. She’s a wonderful person, and our relationship has been meaningful, but there’s a part of me that feels incomplete. I’ve been struggling with these feelings and trying to reconcile them with my current situation. I’ve wanted to talk to you about this, to be open and honest, but I’ve hesitated, not wanting to complicate things for either of us.

I’m writing this because I feel like I owe you an explanation, even if it’s a bit late. I want you to know that you’ve had a profound impact on me, and I’ve come to value our moments together deeply. I hope that, no matter what happens, you understand how much you mean to me and how much I’ve appreciated having you in my life.

If circumstances were different, I would have liked to explore what might be possible between us. But for now, all I can do is be honest and hope that you can find it in your heart to understand.

Take care, Trish. I wish you all the happiness in the world, whether it’s with me.

Sincerely,

Ethan

The revelation struck me like a ton of bricks. Ethan had been on the brink of expressing something profound, something that could have changed everything. The accident had robbed us both of that moment. As I read through the letter, I could almost feel his presence, his thoughts, and his hopes.

I was lost in the pages when I heard a knock at the door. Startled, I quickly closed the journal and hid it beneath a stack of papers. I opened the door to find Alexa standing there, looking concerned and slightly disheveled.

“Trish, it’s almost 1 AM,” Alexa said, stepping into the office. “What are you still doing here so late?”

I hesitated, trying to mask my emotions. “Just working on the proposal. It’s been a long night.”

“How about you? What are you doing back here? You were supposed to be on a date, right?” I asked, puzzled about her whereabouts.

“I think I left my phone somewhere. That’s why I came back,” she smiled. Her eyes flicked at the stack of papers on my desk.

“What’s that?” she asked, noticing the partially hidden journal.

“It’s nothing important,” I said quickly. “Just some old notes.”

Alexa raised an eyebrow but didn’t press further. “Look, I know things have been rough with Ethan and everything. And I know you’re trying to juggle this big project and everything. But you need to take care of yourself. If you keep pushing like this, you’ll burn out.”

I sighed, feeling a mixture of gratitude and frustration. “I know, Alexa. It’s just… I’ve been dealing with a lot. This letter… it’s from Ethan. I found it tonight. He was going to tell me something important before the accident.”

Alexa’s expression softened, and she walked over, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Trish. That must be incredibly hard to process.”

I nodded, feeling the weight of her sympathy. “It is. I just… I don’t know what to do with all of this. And with everything going on, I don’t have the luxury of falling apart.”

“You don’t have to fall apart,” Alexa said firmly. “But you do need to acknowledge what you’re feeling. You’ve been through so much, and it’s okay to give yourself a break. Sometimes, letting yourself feel it all is the first step to moving forward.”

I glanced at her, grateful for her support. “Thanks, Alexa. I really needed to hear that.”

She smiled warmly. “Anytime. And remember, we’re all in this together. If you need help with the project or just need someone to talk to, I’m here.”

We both stood there for a moment, the silence filled with understanding. Then Alexa gave me a gentle nudge. “Come on, let’s get some fresh air. It’s late, and you need a break. The office will still be here tomorrow.”

I reluctantly agreed, and together we stepped out into the cool night air. As we walked, the city lights seemed to offer a fresh perspective, and the comforting presence of Alexa helped to ease the turmoil inside me.