There's One Thing I Like About Him

Chapter Eleven

Three months later…

Trisha

"Coffee?" Alexa’s voice broke through my thoughts as she handed me a steaming cup. I took it, automatically removing the lid to check inside. The rich, dark liquid swirled within the cup, reassuring me.

"Don’t worry, I know you well. It's black—no creamer or sugar," she said with a knowing smile, as if reading my mind.

I nodded, offering a small smile in return, though my thoughts were elsewhere. I needed a break, a moment to clear my head, so I stepped out of the office and made my way to the terrace. The familiar scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, blending with the crisp, cool breeze as I pushed open the glass door and stepped outside.

The terrace overlooked a small garden, a peaceful haven amid the bustling city. The treehouse in the corner, partially hidden by the large oak trees, caught my attention. I stared at it for a moment, lost in thought, as I took a sip of my coffee. The bitterness of the black coffee grounded me, its warmth seeping through the cup and into my hands, but it did little to ease the tension building inside me.

Mr. Cliff had called me earlier to assign a new project. His voice was calm but firm, with an undercurrent of expectation that made my heart race. I knew I had to deliver, and with the team meeting scheduled for three this afternoon, I was already trying to come up with ideas. But nothing was clicking. My mind was a jumbled mess, and the pressure was mounting with each passing minute.

"Have you thought of anything yet?" Alexa’s sudden question pulled me back to reality, and I realized she had followed me outside.

"Not yet," I admitted, feeling a wave of frustration wash over me. The words tasted bitter on my tongue, just like coffee. It wasn’t like me to be this stuck, this uncertain. Back when Ethan was my boss, ideas seemed to flow effortlessly, as if the mere thought of presenting them to him gave me the confidence to be bold, to be creative. But now, things were different.

I leaned against the terrace railing, staring down at the garden but not really seeing it. My thoughts were miles away, lost in the past, when everything seemed easier—more fluid. With Ethan, there was a sense of camaraderie, a feeling that we were in this together. He had a way of making work feel like a shared journey, where every idea, no matter how wild or unconventional, was welcomed and explored. It gave me a sense of freedom, the courage to think outside the box without fear of judgment.

But Mr. Cliff... He was a different story altogether. I had heard the whispers around the office—how he was a perfectionist, how he expected nothing less than excellence. It wasn’t that I was afraid of hard work or high standards; I had always thrived under pressure. But this was different. There was an edge to Mr. Cliff, a sharpness that made me second-guess myself. I found myself hesitating, questioning every idea before it was even fully formed, afraid it wouldn’t meet his exacting standards.

"It's like there’s this wall between us," I murmured, more to myself than to Alexa. "With Ethan, it felt like we were building something together. Now, it just feels like... a test."

"A test?" Alexa echoed, tilting her head in curiosity.

I nodded, struggling to find the right words. "Yeah, like I have to prove myself all over again. But I’m not sure what the rules are, or if I even have what it takes to pass."

She didn’t say anything for a moment, just stood beside me, looking out over the garden. The silence was comforting, a shared understanding that didn’t need words. Finally, she spoke, her voice gentle but firm.

"Maybe you’re putting too much pressure on yourself, Trisha. You’re amazing at what you do. That hasn’t changed, no matter who the boss is."

Her words were kind, but they did little to dispel the doubt gnawing at me. I knew she was right—at least logically—but logic had little place in the realm of self-doubt. The truth is, I missed the old days. I missed the way Ethan’s encouragement made me feel invincible, like I could take on the world and win. Now, everything felt rigid, constrained by expectations I wasn’t sure I could meet.

"I know," I replied, offering her a weak smile. "I just need to get out of my own head, I guess."

Alexa nodded, understanding. "Take your time. You’ll come up with something. You always do."

I hoped she was right. I took another sip of my coffee, letting the warmth of it fill the cold spaces within me. I stared out at the treehouse again, the image blurring as my mind drifted back to the present. The team meeting was looming, and I needed to be ready. But for now, I allowed myself just a few more moments of quiet, of peace, before diving back into the storm.