When the ashes bloom

Chapter 16: The question she couldn't ask

By six o'clock, most of the office had emptied.

Amara was still at her desk, staring at the same line on her computer.

She had finished her work almost twenty minutes ago.

She just hadn't left.

There was something about going home that suddenly felt uncomfortable.

Her mother's message was still sitting on her phone.

Just be careful, Amara.

She picked up her bag and finally stood.

As she walked toward the elevator, she noticed light coming from Kian's office.

She stopped.

His door was slightly open.

She could hear his voice.

"No. Don't bring it here."

Amara froze.

A pause.

Then Kian spoke again.

"I said I'll handle it."

She couldn't hear the other person.

She knew she should keep walking.

Instead, she stood there for another second.

Kian suddenly appeared in the doorway.

They nearly walked into each other.

His expression changed when he saw her.

"Amara."

"Sorry. I was just leaving."

Kian glanced at the clock.

"It's late."

"It's only six."

"For most people, that's late."

She smiled.

"Maybe I'm not most people."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"No. You're definitely not."

The words caught her off guard.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Amara remembered the conversation earlier.

"Can I ask you something?"

Kian's expression became more guarded.

"You just did."

She rolled her eyes.

"Seriously."

"Go ahead."

"Why did you hire me?"

He didn't answer immediately.

"I interviewed you."

"That's not what I mean."

Kian leaned against the doorframe.

"You were qualified enough."

"That's not true."

His eyebrow lifted.

"Excuse me?"

"I looked at the job requirements. I wasn't the most qualified person who applied."

"You don't know who applied."

"I know I don't have much experience."

Kian looked at her carefully.

"Experience isn't everything."

"Then what was it?"

His gaze lingered on her for a moment.

"You answered my question differently."

"The one about losing everything?"

"Yes."

Amara folded her arms.

"And that was enough to hire me?"

"It made me curious."

"Curious about what?"

Kian's expression softened slightly.

"You."

She wasn't expecting that.

Before she could respond, his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen.

Something in his face changed.

He answered.

"Hello?"

Silence.

Then his eyes moved toward Amara.

"Where?"

Another pause.

"Don't do anything until I get there."

He ended the call.

Amara watched him.

"Everything okay?"

"I have somewhere to be."

"Is it serious?"

"Probably not."

She knew he was lying.

She didn't know why.

Kian picked up his jacket.

"Get home safely."

"You too."

He walked past her.

Then stopped.

"Amara."

She turned.

"If anyone asks you about your father, don't give them information."

Her stomach tightened.

"Why?"

Kian looked at her for a long moment.

"Because not everyone asking is looking for the truth."

Then he walked away.

Amara stood there alone.

The elevator doors opened.

She stepped inside.

But as they closed, one thought remained in her mind.

If Kian was so determined to protect her from the past...

what exactly was he afraid she would find?