Chapter 9: Cracks in the Ice
751 Words
Kathy's POV
The ringing of my alarm pulled me from another restless night.
I stared at the ceiling for a long moment before forcing myself out of bed.
Every morning began the same way.
Wake up.
Check my mother's condition.
Go to work.
Pretend everything was fine.
I glanced at the framed photograph on my bedside table.
It was old, taken years before my parents divorced. My mother was smiling, my father stood proudly beside her, and I was in the middle, laughing.
That family no longer existed.
With a quiet sigh, I picked up my phone and called the hospital.
"Good morning, this is Kathy Morgan. I'm calling to check on my mother's condition."
The nurse reassured her that her mother had rested through the night, though the doctors were still monitoring her closely.
"Thank you," Kathy whispered before ending the call.
Only then did she feel ready to face another day.
---
Apex Technology was already buzzing with activity when she arrived.
The lobby was filled with employees greeting one another while the reception desk handled a steady flow of visitors.
As Kathy stepped into the elevator, she caught snippets of conversation.
"Did you hear? Mr. Ashford rejected another partnership yesterday."
"They say he's impossible to please."
"That's why the company is so successful."
Kathy remained silent.
To everyone else, Luther Ashford was a brilliant CEO.
To her...
He was the boy she had left behind.
---
The executive floor was unusually busy.
Emily hurried over with a tablet in her hands.
"Kathy, thank goodness you're here."
"What happened?"
"The CEO moved three meetings forward, postponed two, and added an emergency conference this afternoon."
Kathy blinked.
"He did all that this morning?"
Emily nodded dramatically.
"Welcome to working for Mr. Ashford."
Despite herself, Kathy laughed.
Emily smiled.
"There it is."
"What?"
"Your smile."
Kathy's smile faded.
"I don't smile much anymore."
Emily looked at her for a moment but chose not to ask why.
Instead, she handed Kathy another folder.
"Good luck."
---
The office door opened.
"Mr. Ashford is ready to see you."
Kathy took a deep breath before entering.
Luther didn't look up immediately.
He continued reviewing a contract, his expression calm and unreadable.
"Good morning, Mr. Ashford."
He simply nodded.
"Your schedule has been updated," she said, placing the files neatly on his desk.
He glanced at them.
"You reorganized the afternoon meeting."
"Yes. The overseas investors requested a later time because of the time difference."
A faint look of approval crossed his face.
"Good decision."
It lasted only a second before disappearing.
Kathy almost wondered if she had imagined it.
Then Luther pushed another file toward her.
"I need these contracts summarized before four o'clock."
She opened the folder.
It was thick.
Very thick.
"I'll get started right away."
As she turned to leave, Luther spoke again.
"Kathy."
She paused.
"Don't skip lunch."
Her heart skipped a beat.
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
Finally, she managed a quiet reply.
"Yes... Mr. Ashford."
She left before he could see the confusion in her eyes.
---
The hours slipped by quickly.
By early afternoon, Kathy's desk was covered with documents.
She rubbed her temples, trying to stay focused.
She hadn't noticed the time until Emily appeared carrying two paper cups.
"You still haven't eaten."
"I'm almost finished."
Emily placed a sandwich beside her.
"That's exactly what you said yesterday."
"I..."
"No excuses."
Kathy smiled gratefully.
"Thank you."
As she reached for the sandwich, the office door opened.
Luther stepped out.
His eyes immediately landed on the untouched food.
Without saying a word, he continued walking toward the conference room.
Emily leaned closer and whispered,
"I don't know why... but I think the boss worries about you."
Kathy shook her head.
"No."
"He just doesn't like careless employees."
But deep inside...
She wasn't so sure anymore.
---
Late that evening, the office finally emptied.
Kathy gathered her belongings and quietly locked Luther's office before heading toward the elevator.
She was exhausted.
The doors opened.
Just as she stepped inside, another hand stopped them from closing.
Luther entered.
The same private elevator.
The same silence.
Just like their first meeting.
Neither of them spoke.
The elevator descended floor by floor.
Then suddenly...
The lights flickered.
The elevator came to a sharp stop.
Everything went dark.
Kathy gasped as the emergency lights switched on.
The silence inside the elevator became deafening.
For the first time in seven years...
There was nowhere for either of them to run.
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