His Secret Kiss

Chapter Three – The Night He Chose Me

The next day felt unreal I woke with the memory of his kiss still lingering like a ghost on my lips every breath tasted of him and every thought tangled with questions I wasn’t brave enough to ask I told myself to forget it to focus on work to act normal but my heart didn’t understand the meaning of pretending

Austin wasn’t in the office his absence heavy by noon HR called me to his office and said CEO wanted to see me he stood by the window eyes dark sit down Miss Lane he said calm and cold the window eyes dark sit down Miss Lane he said too calm

I sat the silence stretching thin between us he looked at me for a long time and finally said what happened last night cannot happen again I nodded pretending to agree but deep down my body remembered every second of that kiss and I knew pretending would destroy me

He looked away for a moment then said you have no idea what kind of danger you’re standing in Vera the people watching me they don’t forgive mistakes I frowned trying to understand what kind of danger he meant but before I could speak he stepped closer his hand brushing the desk his voice lower now I told you to stay away from me because I’m not the man you think I am

Then tell me who you are I whispered he stared at me for what felt like forever then said I can’t not yet his words cut through the air sharp and heavy I wanted to ask more but he stepped back the mask slipping over his face again like armor you’re dismissed Miss Lane

The rest of the day passed in a blur and when the office emptied again I found another note waiting on my desk the same handwriting as before If they ask you about me say nothing

My chest tightened my fingers shook as I folded the note the elevator doors opened behind me and his voice came quiet and low don’t stay late tonight

I turned but he was already gone leaving me with nothing but his shadow and a thousand unanswered questions that burned hotter than fear itself

That night I couldn’t sleep his words replaying in my head danger people watching lies he couldn’t tell I thought about walking away about quitting the job about pretending none of it mattered but when I closed my eyes all I could see was his face in the rain his hand reaching for mine his voice whispering my name like it meant something

And deep down I knew it already did

That night I couldn’t fight the pull anymore something about him had already wrapped itself around my soul and no matter how much I tried to break free I only fell deeper the air felt heavy my chest tight with thoughts I couldn’t silence when my phone buzzed again a message from an unknown number Are you awake my heart skipped I didn’t need to ask who it was Yes I typed back my fingers shaking

Seconds later another message came Look outside I moved to the window and there he was standing across the street in the shadows his hands in his pockets his face tilted up toward my window the city lights painting him in gold and gray I hesitated for a second then grabbed my coat and ran down the stairs

When I stepped into the cold night air he didn’t speak he just looked at me and for a long moment the world went still I shouldn’t have come I whispered he nodded you shouldn’t have but you did his voice was soft but full of something that made my pulse stumble

He took a slow step closer his breath mixing with mine the distance between us vanishing I wanted to ask why he was there what danger he meant what secret he was hiding but all that came out was a shaky whisper why me Austin his eyes softened because you weren’t supposed to matter but you do now and that changes everything

The honesty in his words broke something inside me before I could reply his hand brushed my cheek his touch gentle but burning you need to trust me Vera no matter what happens promise me that I nodded unable to speak he exhaled like the weight of the world rested on that one promise then whispered quietly go back inside before someone sees us

I wanted to stay wanted to ask what he meant but his tone left no room for argument I turned away my heart pounding as I walked back to my apartment when I looked back he was gone swallowed by the dark like he’d never been there

Lying in bed later I held my phone tight waiting for another message but none came just silence and the memory of his words because you weren’t supposed to matter but you do now

And I realized it then no matter how hard I tried to deny it I was already his and whatever storm he carried I was standing right in the middle of it

The next morning came too soon the city glowing softly under the first light of dawn I hadn’t slept at all my mind still trapped in the memory of his voice and the feel of his touch I told myself it was madness that I had to stop before it was too late but every time I closed my eyes I saw him again the man with secrets in his eyes and danger in his silence

When I reached the office everyone was whispering something had happened security was tight men in dark suits filled the lobby their faces sharp their movements tense I asked one of the receptionists what was going on she only shook her head quietly saying the board was in a private meeting and no one was allowed near the CEO’s floor

I felt a strange chill crawl through me I tried to focus on work but my thoughts wouldn’t stay still around noon a guard appeared beside my desk his voice low Miss Lane the boss wants to see you

My heart stuttered I followed him to the elevator my palms damp with sweat when the doors opened Austin was there alone standing behind his desk his jacket off his sleeves rolled his expression unreadable he looked up when I entered close the door he said softly

I obeyed the silence between us thick with unspoken things he watched me for a long time before finally speaking his voice tired quiet I told you not to come last night Vera you shouldn’t have seen me like that

I swallowed hard like what he smiled faintly but there was no warmth in it like someone running from himself he said then turned to face the window again

I wanted to ask a thousand questions but before I could he continued someone followed you last night his words made my heart stop what do you mean someone followed me he turned then his gaze sharp and worried you’re being watched Vera I didn’t want you involved but it’s too late now

My chest tightened fear and confusion twisting inside me why me I asked again he stepped closer until his shadow fell across mine because you have something they want he said quietly his eyes holding mine something you don’t even know you have

I shook my head I don’t understand you will he said softly but when you do it’ll already be too late

Before I could speak there was a sound at the door a faint knock his expression hardened in an instant his voice low and steady hide Vera now I didn’t argue he opened a side door leading to a small glass room hidden behind the curtains I slipped inside heart pounding the shadows swallowing me whole

From there I could see the door open two men walked in dressed in black suits their tone sharp controlled Mr Cole one of them said we need to talk about the girl

My blood ran cold

Austin’s voice stayed calm what about her the man replied she’s connected to the missing file isn’t she

Austin didn’t answer right away his eyes flicked briefly toward where I hid then back to them his voice even she’s just an employee nothing more

The men exchanged a look before leaving the air thick with tension when the door closed again Austin turned toward me his expression unreadable you see now why I told you to stay away

I stepped out slowly my hands trembling you lied to them about me he nodded because it’s the only way to keep you alive

And for the first time I saw it not just danger in his eyes but fear real and raw not for himself but for me