The Line In Between
1018 Words
Unknown POV:
So this was her.
Emma Grey.
Young, pretty, and ambitious.
Master of Business Administration.
Born and bred in the States. No relatives.
This was too clean. Even a toddler would know something was missing here.
Her background records were carefully outlined. Too straightforward not to know she was hiding something. The perfect mole for my plan.
I smirked, watching her face flicker on the monitor before me. Too pretty.
She wasn’t just another secretary. Her appearance and employment history said it all.
No fear, no awe, just calculation.
I don’t know what her game is yet, but if she disrupts Dominic’s world, she’ll be useful for now.
I opened her file again, scanning lines of text I'd memorized an hour ago.
Nobody just walks into Steele Enterprises without wanting something. And no woman gets that close to Dominic without bleeding for it.
For now, I had no vital information about her. But Emma Grey can't hide for long. Not from me.
I'll let her rise, let her dig deeper, and let Dominic trust her.
Dominic's POV :
The office was silent. It was getting dark but I had to finish up with some important work before leaving.
I picked Miss Grey’s printed reply from my desk. She had informed me of her submission before signing out.
I hadn’t expected it this soon.
I skimmed the first line.
Then slowed down.
Just the right balance between assertion and diplomacy. She’d mirrored my tone without imitating it and inserted phrasing I would’ve used myself.
But it wasn’t just her accuracy that got my attention.
It was her restraint.
She didn’t try too hard. She didn’t overreach. She knew exactly where the line was and walked it with surgical precision.
I leaned back.
Interesting.
Most new hires would’ve padded the message, tried to impress me with business-school buzzwords and empty formality. But this… this was different.
I glanced at the document again, then filed it under “Pending Approval” with a note.
Something about her reply stayed with me.
It wasn’t what she said, it was what she didn’t.
She’d seen straight through Halvorson’s play. Saw the delay tactic, predicted their next move, and didn’t flinch.
Impressive.
Emma's POV:
“Noah?” I called out as I closed the door to the apartment behind me.
“Kitchen,” came his voice, muffled by a crunch.
My first day was strenuous as expected. Mastering names, offices, and faces, and trying to adapt to every situation. It all made me sick. Working for Dominic Steele was enough headache.
I made sure to submit the reply he had told me to draft before leaving the office. It took a while to prepare it, but I tried my best. Good riddance.
Now all I need is a refreshing bath and a light meal.
I walked in to find Noah demolishing a bag of chips and flipping through a college prep guide.
He looked up, grinning. “Welcome back Em. Did the rich tyrant breathe fire?"
I smirked, dropping my bag and toeing off my shoes. “He’s… intense. Like a work machine in a tailored suit..”
“Yikes.”
I grabbed a bottle of water and sat across from him. “But I survived day one.”
“Proud of you,” he said, genuinely.
I smiled softly.
"How was school today?" I asked trying to change the topic.
"Just the norms, nothing really special bout it you know."
"Good to know. And what was her name again...? Was it Jamie..."
I had not even finished speaking when a wide blush spread on my brother's cheeks.
"You remember her?" He asked grinning.
"Of course, kiddo, I do. Tell me how's she?"
"She's fine. She's been wanting to meet you too, and when I tell her you're busy, she thinks I'm just making excuses."
"Wait are you guys a thing already?" I asked, excitement rushing through me.
"Well not yet. I've not asked the big question yet. I want us to be good friends for a while and make her feel comfortable with me before I ask her out," Noah answered.
"Awww... how did I raise such a sweet young man. Dad must be so proud of me." I said jokingly and we both laughed humorously.
He had liked this Jamie girl since their Junior year and they've been friends for a while now.
"How about you invite her over for dinner on Sunday? You'll make us something delicious won't you?" I asked smiling.
Noah screamed, and I laughed so hard that I almost started rolling on the floor.
"You're not joking right now Em? Are you for real? Jamie would be so happy..."
This was the part of life I never got to experience. Being in love.
But whenever I was with Noah, everything went away. My worries, concerns, fears, sorrows, everything.
He always had a way to light up my world. We loved each other more than anything else in the world. That was enough for me.
Before I could speak, my phone lit up.
Unknown Caller.
My stomach tensed.
I answered, cautiously. “Hello?”
“Miss Grey.”
The voice was unmistakable. Dominic Steele.
I sat up straighter. “Yes, sir?”
“I want to go over some documents and reports before the board meeting next week. It’s easier face-to-face.”
Pause.
“You’ll meet me at my residence. 7:00 a.m. sharp. Dress professionally.”
His voice was calm and decisive. I couldn't even object.
“Yes, Mr. Steele.”
The line went dead.
I stared at the screen. He didn’t leave his address or any explanation.
Just a summon? And for a board meeting that's still a week away?
Noah raised a brow. “Everything okay?”
I forced a smile. “Yeah. Just… work.”
"Should I make something for you? You look famished sis."
"Yes, please, Chef Noh. Quick one." I teasingly called as I picked up my bag and headed towards my room.
Because this wasn’t about a meeting.
If Dominic Steele has invited me to his home.
I needed to be ready.
- Writer
