Chapter Three :Cracks in the Armor
485 Words
"Cancel my lunch."
Julian didn't even glance up from his tablet.
"You've already canceled lunch three days in a row."
The words slipped out before he could stop them.
Silence.
Slowly, he lifted his gaze.
Victoria Vence stood in the doorway of her office, one elegant brow arched.
"What did you say?"
Most people would've apologized immediately.
Julian should have apologized immediately.
Instead, he said, "You're exhausted."
Her expression didn't change.
"You've been here since six this morning," he continued carefully. "You have two investor meetings, a board review, and a charity gala tonight."
"Which is exactly why I don't have time for lunch."
Julian hesitated before placing a neatly wrapped sandwich on her desk.
"You don't have time not to eat."
Victoria stared at the sandwich as if it had personally offended her.
"I didn't ask for this."
"No," Julian agreed. "You didn't."
For a long moment, neither of them moved.
Then, to Julian's astonishment, Victoria picked up the sandwich.
"You have five minutes," she said.
"I'm sorry?"
"Sit down."
Julian blinked.
Nobody sat in Victoria Vence's office unless invited.
And nobody was invited.
Carefully, he lowered himself into the chair opposite her desk.
Victoria took a small bite of the sandwich.
"It's acceptable."
Julian fought a smile.
"High praise."
A flicker of amusement crossed her face so quickly he almost missed it.
Almost.
"Don't get used to it, Mr. Hart."
"Wouldn't dream of it."
Outside the office, employees passed by the glass walls without a second glance.
Inside, something shifted.
Not dramatically.
Not enough to change the nature of their relationship.
But enough for Julian to realize that behind Victoria's intimidating reputation was a woman who carried far too much on her own.
And perhaps...
a woman who had forgotten how to let others care for her.
"You should go home earlier tonight," he said.
Victoria looked up sharply.
"Excuse me?"
"The gala doesn't start until eight. If you rest for an hour beforehand, you'll be more focused."
"I don't need—"
"Rest?" Julian finished gently.
Her jaw tightened.
For a second, he thought she'd dismiss him.
Instead, Victoria leaned back in her chair.
Blue-green eyes studied him with unsettling intensity.
"Do you always challenge your employers?"
"Only the ones who skip lunch."
Silence.
Then—
"You're very unusual, Julian Hart."
His pulse skipped.
"Is that a good thing?"
Victoria considered the question.
Finally, she stood.
"The board meeting begins in ten minutes."
Which wasn't an answer.
But as she passed him, Victoria paused.
"Thank you," she said quietly.
Julian turned toward her in surprise.
Victoria Vence had already resumed her composed expression.
"I'll see you in the conference room."
And just like that, the moment disappeared.
Yet Julian couldn't stop the smile tugging at his lips.
Because for the first time since he'd met Victoria Vence...
he'd seen the woman behind the legend.
And something told him...
she'd seen him too.
- Writer
