THE NIGHT WE FELL

CHAPTER TWO

WARREN

I watch as my trusted employee of ten years is taken out of the conference room, handcuffed, with a police officer on either side of him. As the door closes behind him, the room plunges into heavy silence, broken only by the relentless ticking of a clock.

Sunlight streams through the glass windows, casting sharp shadows across the table cluttered with thick stacks of papers filled with charts and notes. People sit around the table, staring at the documents but pretending to read.

Some shift nervously in their chairs, glancing at one another. A few have loosened their ties, revealing their discomfort. Fidgeting hands tap on the table or play with pens. Everyone seems to be waiting for someone to speak, but no one does. The room feels charged, as if a storm is about to break—but it already has.

A faint hum from the air conditioner mixes with nervous coughs. They all sit in tense silence, waiting for me to break it while I wait for them to digest what just happened. I want to ensure it sinks in so everyone knows better than to double-cross me.

Flinch and I had developed a close relationship at work. He was a devoted employee; I was a strict boss. I can’t believe I actually developed a soft spot for him. He always had smart ideas, and I rewarded him creatively. I promoted him from project manager to head of a branch, giving me plenty of reasons to trust him.

NutriTech is a conglomerate I built from scratch, with blood, sweat, and tears. Through it, I’ve explored my passions and saved lives. But the company has faced setbacks for months, affecting management, relationships with partners, and production. I couldn’t just sit back and watch what I built go down the drain.

I won’t hesitate to get rid of anyone who poses a threat. I hired the best business minds, private investigators, and lawyers. Now, Flinch is being taken away by the police for misappropriation of funds and unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. I’m not one to give second chances, something everyone in this room has learned the hard way.

I hope I’ve passed my message across to everyone. Without a word, I push my seat back, and the room stands, fear etched on their faces. They dart their eyes around, avoiding mine as I walk out of the conference room.

As I head to my office, the feeling of betrayal gnaws at me. My mind races back to the last time I trusted someone—how that trust shattered in an instant. I swore I’d learned my lesson, but here I am again, feeling that familiar sting.

I sit at my desk and take a deep breath. No more softness. I can’t afford to let anyone get close again, whether they’re a colleague or someone from the public. It’s time to build walls and guard myself. I glance out the window, watching the world go by, and make up my mind: I won’t be fooled again.

I bury myself in work until the sun begins to set, golden light spilling through the office windows. The glow reflects off my computer screen as I dive into reports, emails, and meetings, trying to drown out the noise of my thoughts. Each task becomes a distraction, a way to push aside the feelings of betrayal.

As the sky darkens, I lean back in my chair, my eyes strained but focused. The office is quieter now, the hustle of the day fading into silence. I grab my keys and head for the door, the weight of the day heavy on my shoulders.

As I drive aimlessly through the city, the streetlights blur past. The familiar routes feel different tonight, my mind recalling an uninvited thought, a shadow from a rough time in my life. Those days were dark, filled with uncertainty and doubt.

Flinch’s betrayal reminds me of those sleepless nights and constant drinking. I fought hard to rebuild myself after that, to rise above the hurt, but here I am again, pulling into the parking lot of a small bar. The neon sign flickers invitingly, and I succumb, ready to lose myself in the moment, if only for a while.

Unfortunately, the liquor doesn’t do much to drown my thoughts. I get drunk quickly, but my mind still wanders back to the events that led me here. Frustrated, I search for a new distraction. That’s when I spot her—sitting alone at a table to my far left.

She’s undeniably beautiful, but not the kind of woman I’d usually take home. Her gaze is flirtatious, playful; she knows exactly what she’s doing. Maybe she’s the distraction I need right now. I grab my drink and stroll over, starting a casual conversation.

“Hey there,” I say, trying to sound casual. “What brings you here tonight?”

“Just looking for a good time,” she replies, her smile bright. “And it seems I found it.”

We share a few laughs, the tension in my chest easing just a bit. As the night goes on, I realize we both want the same thing.

After sharing a few drinks and laughs, I offer to take her home, and she jumps at the chance, a glint of excitement in her eyes. I realize it’s time to settle the bill. I pull out my wallet and count the cash, feeling a mix of relief and emptiness.

As I pull out of the bar's parking lot, she chatters away beside me, her laughter bright and carefree. I glance at her, trying to match her energy, but my focus keeps slipping back to the road.

“Did you see the way he danced?” she says, her voice animated.

I nod, forcing a smile. “Yeah, pretty wild, right?”

“You should have joined in! It was so much fun!”

I give a half-hearted chuckle, but inside, I'm struggling to concentrate on the road ahead of me.

“Are you okay?” she asks, her smile fading slightly as she notices my distraction.

“Yeah, just... thinking,” I reply, forcing my attention back to the road. As we drive on, I try to balance her lightheartedness with the heaviness in my chest, but it feels like I’m driving in two worlds at once. I decide to lean into her world tonight. Mine is too gloomy.

But the real world has other plans for me.