. Secrets of the Boardroom

Episode: crossing boundaries

The day had dragged on in its usual rhythm—meetings, reports, emails—and yet something in the air felt different. The subtle shift in Dominic’s behavior, the almost imperceptible compliments, had left Sophia unsettled. She found herself constantly thinking about his words, analyzing every interaction with him through a lens of uncertainty. It was as if she were waiting for something to change, but she didn’t know what.

She sat at her desk, organizing her notes for the upcoming presentation, when her phone buzzed. It was a message from Dominic.

Dominic: I need you in my office. Now.

Sophia’s pulse quickened. She stared at the message for a moment, taking a breath to steady herself. It wasn’t unusual for him to summon her on short notice, but today—today, everything felt different. She grabbed her things quickly and made her way to his office, each step feeling heavier than the last.

As she knocked and entered, Dominic didn’t look up from the file in front of him. The usual air of control that surrounded him seemed even more palpable today.

“Sophia,” he said, his voice commanding but not unkind. “I need you to prepare the final report for the Hartmann deal. I’m meeting with the investors at three, and I want to go over the figures with you before then.”

Sophia nodded and moved toward the desk, setting down her laptop. There was something in his tone that made her feel like she had no choice but to comply, no room for questions. She opened the report and began reviewing the numbers, her mind still swirling with the tension between them.

As she worked, Dominic stood from his desk, walking around to the front of it. He leaned against the edge, his gaze fixed on her, though his expression was unreadable.

“I’ve noticed how much you’ve been pushing yourself lately,” he said, his voice quieter now, almost thoughtful.

Sophia’s fingers stilled over the keyboard. She couldn’t decide if she should acknowledge his comment or ignore it. Was this the moment when things shifted?

“I’m just doing my job,” she said, her voice betraying none of the thoughts racing through her mind.

Dominic studied her for a long moment, his gaze intense. There was something in his eyes, something that made Sophia’s chest tighten, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. After a beat, he sighed and turned away, walking back to his desk.

“Of course,” he said, the words colder now. “You’ve always done your job well.”

The shift in his tone felt like an abrupt turn, and Sophia was left wondering if she had imagined the moment of vulnerability. She forced herself to focus, reminding herself that she couldn’t afford to get distracted.

---

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur. The meeting with the investors went smoothly, with Sophia presenting her analysis as Dominic stood by her side, offering only brief input. The investors seemed pleased with the numbers, but there was an air of finality about it all, as if the deal was already a done deal.

After the meeting, as the office began to empty out, Sophia lingered at her desk, organizing her notes. She didn’t expect Dominic to call for her again, but as the clock ticked closer to the end of the workday, she heard her phone buzz.

Dominic: Meet me in my office in five minutes.

Sophia didn’t hesitate this time. She gathered her things and headed to his office, her heart hammering in her chest. When she walked in, she found Dominic standing by the window, looking out over the city. He didn’t turn around immediately, and for a brief moment, Sophia wondered if he even realized she was there.

When he finally spoke, his voice was softer, more reflective. “You’ve been working tirelessly for weeks now. Don’t you ever get tired?”

Sophia didn’t answer immediately. She wasn’t sure how to respond. She had never been one to voice her personal struggles, especially not to someone like Dominic. But there was something in his voice now that made her feel as though he cared—perhaps more than he had let on.

“I’m fine,” she said finally, her voice steady. “I’m just doing my job.”

Dominic turned to face her, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment longer than usual. For the first time, she felt as if he were truly seeing her—not just as an employee, but as a person.

“You always say that,” he murmured. “But I’ve seen the way you’ve been running yourself ragged. I don’t want you to burn out, Sophia.”

Sophia’s breath caught in her throat. She had never heard him speak to her like this—like he cared about her well-being. It felt almost foreign, and for a moment, she didn’t know how to respond.

“I appreciate your concern,” she said softly, looking away. “But I can handle it.”

Dominic studied her for a long moment, his eyes narrowing slightly, as if considering something. Then, as quickly as it had come, the softness disappeared, replaced once again by the impenetrable professionalism she was accustomed to.

“Alright, then,” he said curtly. “I’ll leave you to it.”

Sophia nodded, her mind still racing. She wanted to say something, to bridge the gap between them, but she knew it was too late. Dominic was already back to business.

As she turned to leave, he spoke again, his tone less intense this time.

“Sophia,” he said, causing her to pause.

She turned back, waiting for him to continue.

“Good work today,” he said simply, his voice firm but with an edge of something softer beneath it.

She nodded, trying to keep her composure. “Thank you, Mr. Moretti.”

With that, she left his office, the door clicking shut behind her, leaving her alone with the swirl of emotions she couldn’t quite control.

---

That night, Sophia sat in her apartment, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She had spent so much of the past few months keeping a professional distance from Dominic, maintaining the boundaries she had set in her mind. But tonight, the lines felt blurred.

She had always been able to compartmentalize her emotions—separate her work life from her personal life—but Dominic had a way of breaking through that.

Her phone buzzed again, snapping her from her thoughts.

Dominic: I’ll need those final revisions first thing in the morning. Let’s aim for 8 a.m. sharp.

Sophia sighed, her shoulders slumping in resignation. Another early morning. Another day of working herself into exhaustion. But this time, something was different.

Tomorrow, she would face Dominic again. And she couldn’t help but wonder what new dynamic would unfold between them.