Chapter 20
761 Words
Chapter 20: Before You Walked In
Maison Sauveur was quieter than usual that morning. The hum of machines and faint conversation faded into the background as Sylvester Salvador stepped into the department. The polished floors reflected the subtle gleam of sunlight slipping through the windows, and the air was sharp with the scent of paper, ink, and early-day ambition.
He came in not expecting anything. Not from her. Especially not after last night.
“If I fall... don't let me forget who I am.”
Her words replayed in his head, echoing like a melody that refused to fade. He’d answered her, soft but sure:
“Then let me catch you right.”
Sly wore his usual sleek black button-down shirt, sleeves neatly rolled to his elbows, the fabric snug around his forearms. His hair was tousled just enough, and his leather shoes made no sound as he moved across the floor.
Lucas [quiet, smiling]
“Back to the land of the living?”
Sly [low, casual]
“Barely.”
Aaron [grinning, teasing]
“You’re alive.”
Sly [dry]
“Good to know my absence was felt.”
Aaron [patting him on the shoulder]
“Good to have you back, bro.”
Lia looked up and offered a soft, approving smile. Sly’s eyes, almost out of instinct, scanned the room. Her space. Empty. Neat. No coffee mug. No clutter. No Feliz.
Maya [without looking up from her phone, amused]
“She’s not here yet.”
Sly didn’t respond. Just walked to his desk, dropped his leather jacket neatly on the chair, and sat down.
Soon, Team Leader Joseph approached, tablet in hand.
Joseph [pleasant, efficient]
“Ah, good. You’re back. Sick leave over?”
Sly [cool]
“Not dying yet.”
Joseph [chuckling]
“You and Feliz need to finalize the design for the new dress this week. She needs to sketch a fresh look. Just tell her when she gets in. It needs to be moving fast. Alright?”
Sly [short nod]
“Got it.”
Joseph glanced at Feliz’s empty desk, then walked off. Sly stood and headed to the sketch studio, the door clicking shut behind him. Silence wrapped around him. He moved to the table, grabbing a pencil, letting his fingers glide. Just a shape. A silhouette. Not a dress—just something soft.
Then—the door clicked.
Feliz walked in.
Hair in a neat bun, lips tinted, her outfit crisp. Quiet, but her presence filled the room. She met his eyes and shut the door.
Sly [without looking up, sketching still]
“You’re late.”
Feliz [calm, unfazed]
“You started without me.”
Her eyes were softer today. Curious. He looked up slowly, gaze steady.
Sly [measured]
“I was waiting.”
She approached, placing a small white paper bag on the table.
Feliz [casual, like it’s nothing]
“For you.”
Sly [raising a brow]
“What’s this?”
Feliz [shrugging]
“Just a snack. Thought you might not have eaten.”
He opened it. Empanada. Calamansi juice. His chest tightened.
Sly [half-teasing]
“You’re feeding me now?”
Feliz [faint smile, sitting beside him]
“Maybe I just don’t want you fainting on the job.”
Their arms brushed. She didn’t pull away.
He watched her pick up a pencil, her scent lingering between them.
Sly [quiet, thoughtful]
“I remember what you said.”
Feliz [looking up, cautious]
“What part?”
Sly [gentle]
“Last night. ‘If you fall... don’t forget who you are.’'
Feliz [soft]
“I’m trying not to.”
Sly [firm]
“You’re doing more than that.”
She blushed, barely, and looked away—but didn’t hesitate as she sketched.
He leaned in slightly, voice low.
Sly [honest, steady]
“You’re different today.”
Feliz [quiet]
“I’m just... tired of running.”
Sly
“You don’t have to run from me.”
Feliz
“I know.”
He smiled, not the usual smirk—just something real.
Their hands brushed again as they reached for the same pencil.
Feliz [softly]
“Sorry.”
Sly [watching her]
“Don’t be.”
He looked at her hand, then her face.
Sly [whispering]
“Keep doing that.”
Feliz [blinking]
“Doing what?”
Sly [quiet, sincere]
“Looking at me like that.”
She didn’t look away.
They worked like that for a while. Sketching. Soft talking. Smiling. The energy between them was tight, warm—pulling them closer.
And for the first time, Sylvester Salvador didn’t want to play a game.
He just wanted her.
- Writer
