Almost Yours

Chapter 1: The Day Arvee Ilay Walked In

“Everyone, attention please—we have a wonderful new member joining our team today,” Ms. Loren announced, her voice lifting across the open-plan office. She stepped aside, and the hum of keyboards and chatter softened to a hush.

He stepped forward, and Renesmee’s breath caught in her throat.

Arvee Ilay. Fresh graduate. That was all the introduction had said. But looking at him, you would never guess he was so new to the world. He stood tall and broad-shouldered, a lean, strong build that made you wonder how someone so young could carry such quiet strength. His face was even more striking—thick, perfectly shaped dark eyebrows that gave his expression warmth and definition, deep black eyes that seemed to hold a gentle intelligence, and lips—full, soft, undeniably kissable—that curved into a shy, boyish smile the moment he realized everyone was watching him.

“Good morning, everyone,” he said, his voice warm and melodic. “I’m Arvee Ilay. I’m a fresh graduate, so I’ll be learning a lot from all of you. Thank you for having me.”

He was cute—earnest, slightly nervous, rubbing the back of his neck as a faint flush rose on his cheeks. And yet there was something magnetic about him that drew every eye in the room. Whispers rippled instantly: “He’s gorgeous…” “Look at those eyes…” “I’m already smitten…”

Renesmee straightened, gripping her clipboard. She was his manager. Professional boundaries were essential. But as his gaze met hers for a brief, respectful moment, something shifted inside her chest—a quiet flutter she tried desperately to ignore.

By the end of the afternoon, the air in the office had changed. Liza from Sales slumped into her chair at lunch, her expression falling. “He’s taken,” she sighed, her voice heavy with disappointment. “Saw his lock screen—beautiful woman. Long-distance too. She’s working in California while he’s here.”

One by one, the smiles faded. Every woman in the office looked heartbroken. Renesmee lowered her coffee cup slowly, her own heart sinking—not with the fleeting disappointment of the others, but with a quiet, sinking realization that terrified her. While they were mourning a possibility, she was already falling for a man she could never have.