Ripples in water …8
592 Words
The following week moved quickly. Claire threw herself into the Empire Tower branding drafts, losing herself in the rush of creativity and deadlines. Her work schedule left little time for anything else—which, frankly, was just how she liked it.
Unfortunately, Ryan didn’t seem to take the hint.
He showed up again at her apartment building one evening with takeout and two milkshakes.
“I figured we could hang out,” he said, smiling like they were back in college and she hadn’t dodged his texts all week.
Claire leaned on the doorframe, arms crossed. “Ryan, I’ve been busy.”
He held up the food like a peace offering. “Just dinner. No pressure.”
Against her better judgment, she let him in—more out of exhaustion than interest. They ate in silence, and she focused on her laptop as he talked about his new job, his gym routine, his future plans that somehow always included them.
Claire kept her replies minimal, hoping he’d get the message.
“So,” Ryan said at one point, “your boss still staring at you like he wants to rewrite your job title to ‘Mrs. Laurent’?”
Claire’s head snapped up. “Excuse me?”
Ryan laughed. “Come on. I saw the way you talked about him the other day. You’ve got a crush.”
Claire stood, suddenly irritated. “You should go.”
“What?”
“This isn’t going anywhere, Ryan. It never has. I’ve said that before, and I’m saying it again now.”
He stood slowly, clearly surprised by her tone. “Wow. Okay.”
She didn’t apologize.
After he left, she collapsed onto the couch and stared at the ceiling.
Why was it so hard for people to accept that she didn’t owe them anything?
⸻
The next morning, Claire walked into the office earlier than usual again. It had become a habit now—escaping into work before the rest of the world could catch up.
She found Carter in the design studio, sipping coffee with a raised brow.
“Your CEO fan club president’s looking for you.”
Claire rolled her eyes. “Carter—”
“I’m just saying. He’s not calling anyone else to his office this much.”
She ignored him and headed up.
Damian was by the window when she entered, looking out over the skyline. The morning light touched his profile, sharp and thoughtful.
“I looked over your revised drafts,” he said, turning. “You tightened the structure without losing emotion. That’s not easy.”
Claire smiled, despite herself. “Thanks. It felt right.”
He studied her for a second. “Are you happy here, Claire?”
The question caught her off guard.
“I—yes. I am. I didn’t think I would be. But I am.”
He nodded, something unreadable in his expression. “Good.”
She hesitated. “Why do you ask?”
His gaze didn’t leave hers. “Because I’ve worked with a lot of people. And very few of them make me curious.”
Claire’s breath hitched.
It wasn’t a compliment. Not entirely. But it was… something.
Before she could reply, he added, “Keep up the good work.”
Dismissed. Just like that.
But as she walked out of his office, Claire felt it again—that ripple beneath the surface. That quiet, dangerous pull.
Damian Laurent wasn’t just her boss.
He was becoming the one man who could shatter the calm she’d fought so hard to build.
- Writer
