CHAPTER TWO — Balance Between Lines
1374 Words
“Oh, thank God you’re here, Assistant Moore. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
Rebecca barely slowed her pace as she walked past Jones, dropping her bag neatly on her desk. Her eyes immediately scanned the stack of files arranged in front of her, flipping through them with practiced precision.
“Yeah, yeah, cut the panic,” she said calmly. “Are the documents ready?”
“Yes, they are,” Jones replied quickly, adjusting his glasses. “Quarterly financials, Lawson merger projections, and investor reports. Everything is arranged.”
Rebecca’s fingers paused mid-page.
“The Asia-Pacific expansion report is incomplete,” she said flatly.
Jones stiffened.
“It’s still being finalized by the finance team—”
“And you thought it was acceptable to leave it like that?” she interrupted, finally lifting her gaze to meet his.
There was no anger in her eyes.
Just expectation.
Jones swallowed.
“I was going to update it before the 2 p.m. session—”
“You don’t ‘plan’ to fix things after submission,” Rebecca said, closing the file. “You fix them before anyone notices.”
“I understand.”
“You don’t. Not yet.”
She sighed softly, then pushed the file back toward him.
“Get the updated figures from finance and cross-check them with legal information before noon. I don’t want inconsistencies.”
“Yes, Assistant Moore.”
Jones hesitated, then leaned closer.
“I… don’t think I can face him this morning.”
Rebecca paused for a second, then shook her head.
“Of course you can’t,” she muttered. “That’s why I’m here.”
She gathered the finalized files and headed toward the private elevator, pressing the button for the 30th floor.
The executive floor.
Restricted access.
Only three people operated freely there—
The CEO.
His assistant.
And his secretary.
The ride up was silent.
Too silent.
Rebecca leaned slightly against the wall, her thoughts drifting despite herself.
She knew what today would be.
Meetings. Pressure. Deadlines.
And Dominic.
Always Dominic.
The elevator doors opened with a soft chime.
She stepped out, heels echoing softly against the polished floor. Instead of heading straight to his office, she turned toward the private kitchen.
Because before anything else—
There was his coffee.
Rebecca rolled up her sleeves slightly and reached for the container of freshly roasted beans.
Dark roast.
Strong.
Just the way he liked it.
She measured carefully, pouring the beans into the grinder. The machine hummed to life, breaking them down into fine grounds as the rich aroma filled the air.
She paused briefly.
There was something about this routine that felt… personal.
She poured the grounds into the filter, leveling them with a gentle tap.
Then came the most delicate part—
Balance.
Dominic didn’t like overly bitter coffee.
And he hated anything too sweet.
He liked control.
Precision.
Rebecca poured hot water slowly over the grounds, allowing them to bloom. Tiny bubbles formed on the surface as the flavors opened up, releasing a deep, bold scent.
Timing mattered.
Too fast, and it would taste weak.
Too slow, and it would turn harsh.
She waited a few seconds, then continued pouring in a steady, controlled motion.
The dark liquid dripped slowly into the cup below.
Strong.
Sharp.
Unforgiving.
Then—
She added sweetness.
Just a measured spoon.
Not enough to overpower.
Just enough to soften the edges.
A small amount of milk followed—not to lighten the coffee, but to smooth it.
She stirred gently.
Once.
Twice.
And stopped.
Rebecca lifted the cup slightly, observing the color.
Perfect.
Balanced between bitter and sweet.
Just like him.
Or at least—
The version of him she understood.
Knock. Knock.
“Come in.”
That voice.
Deep. Controlled. Unshakable.
Rebecca steadied herself and stepped inside.
Dominic sat behind his desk, reviewing documents across multiple screens. Even without looking at her, his presence commanded the entire room.
“Your coffee,” she said, placing it in front of him.
He looked up.
Their eyes met.
And just like that—
Her heartbeat betrayed her.
“You were almost late today, Rebecca,” he said calmly. “Why?”
“I woke up late,” she replied.
Her thoughts whispered something else entirely.
Because you were in my dream.
Dominic studied her for a moment.
“You seem distracted.”
“I’m fine.”
A pause.
“I’ll overlook it,” he said finally. “You’ve never been late before.”
“Thank you.”
He picked up the coffee and took a sip.
Silence followed.
Then—
A subtle shift in his expression.
“You adjusted it.”
Rebecca smiled and said.
“Slightly.”
“The bitterness is softer,” he said. “But it’s still strong.”
“I thought you might prefer it that way today.”
Dominic looked at her for a second longer than usual.
Then—
A faint smile.
“You were right.”
Her chest tightened.
“And you’re still as grumpy as ever,” she replied lightly.
A quiet breath of amusement escaped him.
“Today’s schedule.”
Rebecca stepped forward, opening the file.
“10 a.m.—board meeting on the Lawson merger. Some resistance from two members regarding risk exposure.”
“They’ll agree,” Dominic said. “They always do when the numbers make sense.”
“12 p.m.—conference call with European partners. They’re pushing for a higher percentage.”
“They won’t get it.”
“I’ll note that.”
“2 p.m.—strategy session on Asia-Pacific expansion. The final report will be ready before then.”
Dominic nodded.
“3 p.m.—investor briefing. Everything has been reviewed.”
“Good.”
She closed the file.
“That’s all.”
He gave a slight nod.
“Thank you.”
She turned and walked out.
Jones was already waiting.
“Well?” he asked anxiously.
Rebecca sat down.
“He’s in a manageable mood.”
Jones exhaled in relief.
“Thank God.”
Rebecca glanced at him.
“At this rate, we won’t need you anymore.”
He blinked.
“Why would you say that?”
“Because I’m doing your job.”
“That’s harsh.”
“That’s accurate.”
He leaned closer.
“Is he in a good mood?”
“…Yes.”
“Perfect. I'll brief him.”
“Wait.”
He froze.
“Did you organize his emails and priorities?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Then go.”
A few minutes later, Jones stood inside Dominic’s office.
“Good morning, sir.”
“Speak.”
“I’m here to confirm your schedule and updates for the day.”
Dominic gave a slight nod.
“All department heads are ready for the 10 a.m. meeting. The materials have been reviewed by Assistant Moore.”
“Good.”
“The European partners sent a follow-up email. I’ve flagged it as a priority.”
“I’ll handle it during the call.”
“Yes, sir.”
“The Asia-Pacific report is being finalized under Assistant Moore’s supervision.”
Dominic’s gaze flickered briefly.
“Then it’ll be ready.”
“Yes, sir.”
Jones stepped forward, placing the tablet on the desk.
“I’ve sorted your emails by urgency and drafted responses for review.”
Dominic skimmed them briefly.
“I’ll review them later.”
“Yes, sir.”
“That’ll be all.”
Jones left quickly.
Back at her desk, Rebecca watched him return.
“I survived,” he whispered dramatically.
“For now,” she replied.
She leaned back slightly, her eyes drifting toward Dominic’s office.
Everything was the same.
The routine.
The distance.
Him.
And her feelings.
Still unchanged.
Still hidden.
She sighed softly.
I just hope today goes smoothly…
Her expression dimmed.
And hopefully… none of his flings show up today.
Because that was always the hardest part.
The reminder—
That no matter how close she stood to him…
She was never the one he chose.
Rebecca straightened, pushing the thought away.
Work first.
Feelings later.
Or maybe never.
Because loving Dominic King had taught her one painful truth—
Some hearts were never meant to be claimed.
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