UNEXPECTED ATTENTION
1002 Words
CHAPTER FOUR
Elena Carter sat at her desk, trying to steady her breathing as she organized the files in front of her for what felt like the tenth time.
It was only her second day at Wolfe Industries.
And yet, it already felt like she had stepped into a completely different world—one where everything was precise, controlled, and quietly intimidating.
Especially him.
Dominic Wolfe.
Even thinking about him made her chest tighten slightly.
She didn’t understand it.
It wasn’t fear… not exactly.
It was something else.
Something she couldn’t explain.
Something that unsettled her more than it should.
“Elena.”
Her name, spoken in that deep, controlled voice, sent a sharp jolt through her system.
She looked up quickly.
And there he was.
Standing right in front of her desk.
Her breath hitched for a second before she quickly stood up.
“Sir.”
Dominic’s eyes lingered on her face, studying her in that same unsettling way he had the day before.
Like he was searching for something.
Or remembering something.
“I need you in my office,” he said.
Simple.
Direct.
No room for hesitation.
“Yes, sir.”
Elena grabbed her notepad quickly and followed him, trying to ignore the way her heartbeat picked up with every step.
---
The moment she stepped into his office again, that same heavy atmosphere returned.
The room felt larger today.
Quieter.
More… personal.
Dominic walked past her and took his seat behind the desk, his movements calm and deliberate.
“Elena,” he began, his voice low, “tell me something.”
She straightened slightly. “Yes, sir?”
“What do you think of this company so far?”
The question caught her off guard.
“I—”
She hesitated, choosing her words carefully.
“It’s… impressive,” she said. “Very structured. Everyone seems focused. It’s… different from what I’m used to.”
“Different how?”
His eyes locked onto hers again.
Elena swallowed.
“More intense,” she admitted honestly.
A faint smirk appeared on his lips.
“That’s one way to put it.”
Silence fell between them again.
But it wasn’t empty.
It was charged.
Like something unspoken was lingering in the air.
Dominic leaned back slightly, his gaze never leaving her.
“Do you always answer questions so carefully?”
Elena blinked. “I just… want to be professional.”
“And honest?”
She hesitated.
“Yes.”
Another pause.
Then—
“Were you honest yesterday?” he asked.
Her heart skipped.
“I… don’t understand.”
Dominic leaned forward slightly this time, his elbows resting on the desk.
“I asked if you remembered me.”
Her breath caught.
For a second… something flickered again in her mind.
A shadow of a memory.
A voice.
A presence.
But it slipped away before she could grasp it.
“I said I didn’t,” she replied slowly.
“And you still don’t?”
His tone was calm.
But his eyes…
They were intense.
Pressing.
Elena felt heat rise to her cheeks.
“I’m sorry, sir,” she said quietly. “I really don’t.”
The room went silent.
Dominic studied her for a long moment.
Then finally—
He leaned back again.
“Interesting.”
That word again.
Like he was amused.
Or intrigued.
Or both.
Elena wasn’t sure which made her more uneasy.
---
“Sit,” he said suddenly.
She obeyed immediately, sitting across from him.
“I’ll be assigning you directly under me,” Dominic continued. “You’ll handle my schedule, meetings, and personal work coordination.”
Elena nodded quickly, grateful for something she could actually focus on.
“Yes, sir.”
“I don’t tolerate mistakes,” he added.
“I understand.”
“I don’t tolerate dishonesty either.”
Her fingers tightened slightly around her pen.
“I’m not lying,” she said softly.
Dominic’s gaze sharpened.
“I didn’t say you were.”
But the way he said it…
Made her feel like he still wasn’t convinced.
---
He stood up suddenly.
Elena tensed slightly, watching as he walked around the desk.
Each step was slow.
Measured.
Intentional.
He stopped beside her.
Too close.
Elena’s breath caught.
She could feel his presence now—strong, overwhelming, impossible to ignore.
“You don’t remember anything?” he asked quietly.
His voice was lower now.
Closer.
Almost… personal.
Elena’s heart started racing.
“I—”
She shook her head.
“No.”
A long silence followed.
Then—
Dominic exhaled slowly.
“Fine.”
But the way he said it didn’t sound like acceptance.
It sounded like a decision.
---
“You can go,” he said, stepping back.
Elena stood quickly, almost too quickly.
“Thank you, sir.”
She turned and walked toward the door, her mind spinning.
But just as she reached it—
“Be careful, Elena.”
She froze.
Her hand still on the handle.
was
Something about his tone made her turn back.
“Sir?”
Dominic was watching her again.
That same unreadable expression.
“This company isn’t as simple as it looks,” he said. “Not everyone here is on your side.”
A chill ran down her spine.
“I… understand.”
“Good.”
---
Elena stepped out of the office, closing the door behind her.
Only then did she finally breathe.
“What is wrong with him?” she whispered under her breath.
But deep down…
She knew it wasn’t just him.
Something about all of this felt…
Connected.
And she didn’t know why.
---
Inside the office, Dominic stood by the window, watching the city below.
His reflection stared back at him through the glass.
“Elena Carter,” he murmured.
Still no memory.
Not even a trace.
A slow, dangerous smile formed on his lips.
“That’s fine.”
If she wouldn’t remember—
He would remind her.
In his own way.
And this time…
He wasn’t letting her walk away.
- Writer
