Chapter three
880 Words
Mila’s POV
I attempt to be still with my hands as Ruben hands me a folder with CONFIDENTIAL printed on it. My stomach is all twisted with that red stamp.
Take this, I want you to take this, he says.
I blink fast. Can, um, sir, this seems extraordinarily important to me.
"It is," he answers. "And I trust you."
Those lines struck me as a shock. Never in my working days was it said to me.
I open the folder slowly. “Do you want me on this, or are you?”
"Yeah," he says. Nothing but me and this project. No one else."
His voice is low, calm, but firm. He is looking at me as if there is nothing like that in the world.
It makes my cheeks warm.
I attempt to concentrate on the papers, but his eyes are on me all the time. Spoke, every time I look up, he is still staring--quiet, intense, almost soft. The room feels too small.
"Is something wrong?" I ask.
"No," he says. "Just… continue."
But he doesn't look away.
Not once.
And the weird fact is that I am not afraid of his staring anymore. It causes my heart to be too quick, as if something new is beginning. Something I shouldn't want.
Hours pass. The office gets quieter. Everyone leaves one by one.
Except me.
And him.
I continue typing, and my computer rings with a new email. It is my frozen hands in the subject line.
STAY AWAY FROM THE 47TH FLOOR. OR YOU WILL REGRET IT.
My breath catches. My skin turns cold.
I peep around, and fear that someone may be lurking. The office is empty. Ruben is in his glass office next door, though I do not want him to hear me panicking.
I quickly deleted the email.
I pretend it never happened.
I attempt to resume my business, but I cannot stop shivering.
Why has someone sent that to me?
Why now?
In the evening, later on, I come across Luca, who is waiting in a little cafe by the canal. He beckons me on with a great smile.
"Mila! Over here!"
I sit down slowly. "You surprised me again. What is it you do with being around all the time?
He laughs. "Can't I check on you? You look exhausted."
"Well… work is hard," I admit.
He leans closer. "Is it him? That CEO… Ruben Max?"
My heart jumps. "He's not—it's not like that. He's just… my boss."
Luca raises an eyebrow. "You sure? Since you are suddenly on top-tier work. That's not normal."
I swallow. "I'm just… trying my best."
He gives me a soft smile. You have nothing to be afraid of anymore, Mila. I'm back now. I'll protect you from anyone."
There is something wrong with the tone of his voice. Too heavy. Too serious.
Before I can ask, Luca stands. "I have to go. Take care of yourself, okay?"
"Okay," I whisper.
I see him go and find two dark-coated gentlemen behind him out of the cafe. He makes a turn and runs into them, as he supposed.
He hands them a folder.
I cannot hear what they say, but I overhear one sentence:
"We need proof. The Lorne and Vermeer families cannot last forever.
I freeze.
Why is Luca engaging in such a thing?
Why does it seem like it is related to Titan Corp?
To Ruben.
To me.
Several hours later, I am still in the office, struggling to complete my work. It is very dark outside, and the corridors are silent. I rub my tired eyes.
I see Ruben suddenly appear at my desk.
"You're still here," he says. "Why?"
"I'm just finishing the report"
You are not supposed to be here this late by yourself, he says. "Come. I'll walk you out."
My heart dips. "You don't have to"
"I said I will," he cuts in softly. "I want to."
His voice is relaxed yet firm, as he cannot take no.
I stand slowly. "Okay."
We walk outside together.
My face is struck against the cold Amsterdam air. The canal water is illuminated by the lights in the street, and everything appears peaceful.
Too calm.
Ruben pauses and turns towards me. "Mila."
I cast a glance up at him, and there is a fire in me. His eyes are not the same, warmer and yet fierce.
You do all right, he says to himself. "More than well."
My chest tightens. "Thank you…"
He steps closer. Not holding, and yet near enough to make me feel his warmth.
"I mean it," he adds. "You're not invisible. Not to me."
I forget how to breathe.
He opens his mouth to say more—
But behind us, headlights blow.
A black car runs head-on into me.
I hear Ruben shout my name.
"MILA!"
Then his arms were around my waist, and he dragged me away with all his might.
The car flies by--nearly at my feet.
I gasp.
Ruben embraces me, and his heart beats my heart.
I look up at him, shaking. "Did someone just?"
In the affirmative, he grins in his eyes, frozen with fury. "Someone tried to hit you."
And for the first time…
I see fear in Ruben Max's eyes.
- Writer
