Healing His Shadows

Chapter 2: First Day Internship at the Dangerous T

-POV Elara

I woke up with that same ugly knot still twisting in my stomach. Gloria’s photo from last night was burned behind my eyes like a bad tattoo I couldn’t scratch off. I’d crashed in the guest room instead of crawling back into bed with Glenn, and the diamond ring on my finger felt even heavier today, like it was dragging my whole arm down.

But today wasn’t about that mess. Today was my first day interning at Vitale Tower—Fletcher Draven’s empire. I dragged myself up, splashed cold water on my face until my skin went numb, then threw on a simple black blouse and pencil skirt that screamed “professional but not trying too hard.” I stared at my reflection. “Just survive the day, Elara. Smile, learn, and don’t think about last night.”

The tower itself was intimidating as hell. All glass and steel shooting up into the sky, the kind of building that made you feel small the second you walked in. I flashed my new intern badge at security and headed to the elevator, heart already beating a little faster than usual.

The doors were about to close when a hand shot out and stopped them.

Fletcher Draven stepped in.

Tall, broad shoulders filling the suit like it was made for him. Dark hair messy in that expensive way, sharp gray eyes that scanned everything like he owned it—which he basically did. He was the boss everyone whispered about. Cold. Charismatic. Dangerous. The kind of man who could ruin your career with one look… or make you forget your own name.

He nodded once at me, polite but distant, then hit the button for the top floor. The elevator started its smooth rise, and suddenly the space felt way too small. Just the two of us.

I kept my eyes on the glowing numbers, trying to act normal. My hands gripped the strap of my bag a little tighter. Proxy action, I guess—anything to keep from looking at him directly.

But I could feel him watching me. That heavy stare from the family dinner last night was back, only this time it was closer. Much closer.

The elevator slowed for a second on one of the middle floors. Someone outside must’ve called it, but the doors didn’t open right away. Fletcher shifted slightly, his body turning toward me just a fraction. His hand moved like he was about to steady me or adjust something near my waist—fingers hovering so close I could almost feel the heat through my blouse. Not quite touching. Just… almost. The almost-touch sent a stupid little shiver down my spine even though I hated it.

I stepped back half an inch, my back pressing against the cool metal wall. Physical barrier. The elevator walls suddenly felt like the only thing keeping us apart.

He didn’t pull his hand away immediately. Instead, his voice came low and calm, cutting through the quiet hum of the elevator.

“So, little intern… first day?”

I swallowed. “Yeah. Heart surgery rotation, actually. Hoping to learn a lot.”

He tilted his head, gray eyes locking onto mine. A small, dangerous smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Heart surgery. Interesting choice. You operated on one of my men last night, didn’t you? Small world.”

The rhetorical trap was right there—I could feel it. He was testing me, seeing how I’d react to the connection. I forced a steady breath. “Small world, yeah. Glad he pulled through.”

The elevator dinged softly and the doors finally opened on our floor. Fletcher stepped out first, but he held the door with one hand, waiting for me. As I walked past him, that almost-touch happened again—his fingers brushed the air right behind my waist, close enough that I sucked in a quick breath. Not touching. But damn, it felt like he was.

We walked down the sleek hallway in silence for a moment. The whole floor screamed power: glass offices, quiet staff moving like they knew better than to make noise. Fletcher stopped at the door to a massive corner office and turned to face me.

“You’re too polished for an intern,” he said, voice low and smooth, almost like a compliment wrapped in something sharper. “But this place… it eats people like you alive if you’re not careful.”

I met his eyes, trying not to let my pulse show. “I can handle it.”

He leaned in just a fraction, that daddy-vibe energy rolling off him without even trying—age gap, power, the whole dangerous package. “We’ll see about that.”

Then, right before he turned to open the door for me, he added with that same calm, cutting tone:

“You’re too polos for a place like this, little intern.”

The words landed heavy. Polos. Innocent. Like he already saw right through me—through the ring, through the fake smile, through everything I was trying to hide after last night.

I stepped into the office behind him, the door clicking shut with a soft finality. My heart was hammering, but I kept my face straight.

This internship was going to be a lot more complicated than I thought.

End of Chapter 2