Chapter Six
1149 Words
Dominic's POV
I should have let her leave.
That was the smart thing to do. The controlled thing. The version of myself I had perfected over the years would have turned back to the window, shut the feeling down, and returned to work.
Instead, I watched her gather her things with hands that still shook.
“I’m fine,” Elena said again, adjusting the strap of her bag. She didn’t look at me. “Really. I’ll take a cab.”
“You shouldn’t,” I replied.
She finally met my eyes. There was resolve there. Quiet, stubborn resolve. “I’ve done it before.”
That wasn’t the point. But I nodded anyway.
“If you feel dizzy,” I said, keeping my voice level, “you call someone.”
“I will.” A pause. “Thank you. For… earlier.”
I stepped back to give her space. She hesitated, like she expected me to say more. I didn’t. If I opened my mouth again, something reckless might come out.
She left.
The door closed. The office fell silent.
And I couldn’t breathe.
Ten minutes later, I was still standing by the glass, watching the city lights flicker on below. I told myself she was an adult. Capable and independent.
I told myself to stay where I was.
But I grabbed my jacket and followed her.
I followed her because I didn’t trust myself to do nothing.
I saw her step into the cab outside the building. She shut the door gently, like she always did everything. The car pulled into traffic.
I got into my own car and followed at a distance.
This was ridiculous and unnecessary. Crossing a line I had sworn I wouldn’t touch.
But the image of her swaying earlier wouldn’t leave me. The way she tried to hide it, and everything else.
The cab turned left. Then right.
I kept my distance.
I wasn’t stalking or controlling her. I was only making sure she got home.
That was the excuse I gave myself.
---
Traffic slowed near her neighborhood. I recognized it. I had seen it in her employee file. A modest area. Quiet. Not dangerous, but not forgiving either.
The cab stopped.
She paid and stepped out.
I stayed two cars back.
She walked towards the building, shoulders hunched slightly. She didn’t look around. She trusted the night too easily.
The door opened and she went inside.
Only then did I exhale.
I waited another minute. Then another.
The building lights stayed on.
I pulled out my phone before I could stop myself.
I stared at the screen, thumb hovering.
This crossed another line.
I did it anyway.
Dominic: Did you get home safely?
The message was sent.
I stared at it as if it might explode.
Seconds passed.
Then my phone buzzed.
Elena: Yes. I just got in. Thank you for asking.
Simple. Polite.
My chest tightened.
Dominic: Good. Get some rest.
Three dots appeared. Disappeared. Appeared again.
Elena: I will. Good night, sir.
Sir.
The word shouldn’t have disappointed me.
It did.
---
The next morning, she arrived early. Earlier than usual.
I noticed immediately.
Her hair was pulled back neatly. Her posture was straight. Tired, but composed.
“Good morning,” she said.
“Morning,” I replied.
She paused, like she expected something else. Then moved to her desk.
I watched her through the glass for a moment longer than necessary.
She didn’t look fragile today.
She looked focused.
And somehow, that made everything worse.
---
By noon, the board was restless. Calls came in back-to-back. Deadlines pressed in. Voices rose.
Elena moved through it all like she had found her rhythm.
“Mr. Hale, the Zurich call has been moved up.”
“I know.”
“The finance team sent revisions.”
“I saw them.”
She hesitated. “There’s an error in the third projection.”
I looked up. “Where?”
She stepped closer, placing the document on my desk. Our fingers brushed again. Light. Accidental.
Neither of us moved.
“Here,” she said softly.
She was right.
I nodded. “Fix it.”
“I already did.”
I looked at her then. Really looked.
Her eyes held mine. Steady. No fear. No apology.
“Good,” I said.
The word felt different this time. It stayed between us.
She smiled before she could stop herself.
Then she caught it. Looked down quickly and stepped back.
The moment passed.
But something had shifted.
I knew Veronica had been watching me, and she had noticed the shift between Elena and me.
She always did.
“You’re distracted,” she said later that afternoon, leaning against my desk as if she belonged there.
“I’m busy,” I replied.
She followed my gaze to the glass wall.
Elena was typing, focused, and unaware.
Veronica’s lips curved. “You’re watching her.”
“I’m watching my assistant work.”
“Liar.”
I stood. “Careful.”
She laughed softly. “You’ve changed.”
“No.”
“Yes.” She stepped closer. “You don’t yell anymore. You don’t burn the room down when things go wrong. And you’re softer with her.”
“I’m efficient.”
“You’re human,” she corrected. “And that scares you.”
I said nothing.
She straightened. “Be careful, Dominic. Soft things don’t survive in your world.”
Elena looked up then, sensing the tension. Her eyes flicked between us.
I held Veronica’s gaze. “Neither do cruel ones.”
Veronica smiled thinly and walked out.
Elena didn’t ask.
I was relieved.
---
That evening, the office emptied slowly. Elena stayed. Of course, she did.
I waited until it was just the two of us again.
“You should go,” I said.
She looked surprised. “I’m almost done.”
“Tomorrow.”
She hesitated. Then nodded. “Okay.”
She packed her bag. Slower than usual.
At the door, she turned back. “Thank you. For yesterday.”
I leaned against the desk. “You don’t have to thank me.”
“I know.” A pause. “But I wanted to.”
She left.
I didn’t follow this time.
Progress, I told myself.
---
That night, I sat alone in my apartment, city lights reflecting off glass and steel. I replayed every look and every word.
This wasn’t supposed to happen.
She was the wrong person. The wrong timing. The wrong history.
And yet.
I picked up my phone again.
I stared at her name.
I didn’t text.
That was also
progress.
But as I set the phone down, one truth settled deep in my chest, heavy and undeniable.
I was no longer just watching to make sure she didn’t fall.
I was watching because I didn’t want her to walk out of my sight.
And that was dangerous.
For both of us.
- Writer
