Elina didn't sleep easily that night...
She lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, the faint glow from the streetlights slipping through her curtains and settling across the room every time she closed her eyes…She saw him too close too real.
She turned to her side, pulling the blanket slightly higher, as if that could quiet the restless feeling in her chest but well ...It didn't.
Morning came gently, but her thoughts were already awake she stood in front of her wardrobe, fingers brushing over neatly arranged clothes. Her space was simple, but everything had its place. She liked control and order It was the only way she had learned to keep herself steady but today…
She hesitated her hand paused on a fitted charcoal skirt she pulled it out slowly, holding it up against herself, her eyes studying her reflection in the mirror.
Elina had never been unaware of how she looked she just never made it the center of her world her long, curly hair fell freely down her back, soft and full, catching the light in quiet waves. It framed her face effortlessly, drawing attention to her eyes—deep, expressive, framed by thick lashes that gave her a naturally striking look without needing anything extra.
Her lips, full and naturally shaped, carried a softness that contrasted the strength in her gaze.
And her body…
There was no denying it graceful curves, a figure that moved with quiet confidence even when she wasn't trying. The fitted skirt traced her waist and hips perfectly, accentuating what she never intentionally showed off—but couldn't hide either.
She stared at herself for a moment longer than usual not with pride not with vanity but with awareness. Did he notice? The thought came uninvited and stayed.
She looked away quickly, reaching for a simple blouse to pair with the skirt ...Clean, Professional and Safe.
"Focus," she murmured under her breath.
Meanwhile across the city, Belonia was already dressed impeccable, as always but there was a slight tension in the way he adjusted his cufflinks this morning, a faint tightness in his jaw that hadn't been there before he remembered ...of course he did,
The way she had looked at him.
The way she had said his name.
The way she hadn't moved… until she did.
He exhaled sharply, grabbing his keys.
By the time Elina stepped into the office, she had already told herself it meant nothing.
Just a moment.
Just a mistake.
Nothing more.
But the moment she saw him—
Standing near the glass wall, speaking to someone, his posture as composed as ever
Her heartbeat betrayed her and as if he felt it, he looked up their eyes met for a second too long then he looked away just like that no acknowledgment no shift in expression just nothing.
Elina blinked, her steps slowing just slightly before she forced herself to keep moving.
So that's how it was going to be...cold ....distant.
As if nothing had happened.
"Good morning."
Clara's voice broke through her thoughts.
Elina turned, offering a small smile. "Morning."
Clara looked her over, her gaze lingering just enough to notice the details—the fitted skirt, the soft fall of her hair, the quiet elegance she carried without trying.
"You look good," Clara said casually.
Elina hesitated. "Thank you."
Clara smiled faintly, but her eyes held something more observant.
"Important meetings today," she added.
Elina nodded. "I'm aware."
The day began quickly after that.
Meetings, Documents, Conversations,
Everything moved like it always did except… it didn't feel the same belonia was colder more distant than usual.
His tone sharper. His instructions shorter.
And he barely looked at her.
Not once.
Elina told herself it didn't matter.
And yet…
She noticed every single time he didn't.
At one point, Clara stepped into his office, closing the door behind her.
Elina's eyes lingered on the glass for just a second too long.
Inside, Clara leaned slightly against his desk, her posture relaxed, confident.
"You're avoiding her," she said plainly.
Belonia didn't look up from the document in his hand. "I'm working."
Clara smiled faintly. "You don't avoid people you're just working with."
That made him pause.
Only briefly.
"You're reading too much into it," he said.
"Am I?" Clara tilted her head, watching him closely. "Because it didn't feel like nothing yesterday."
His jaw tightened slightly.
"Be careful, Belonia," she added softly. "Some things don't stay simple."
He finally looked at her.
His expression unreadable.
"I don't intend for them to," he said.
Outside, Elina sat at her desk, unaware of the conversation, focused on her work.
Focused on staying steady.
She had made a decision.
Whatever that moment had been…
She would not let it define anything.
Not her.
Not her work.
Not her peace.
And definitely not him.
But somewhere deep down were logic didn't reach she knew one thing that it wasn't over.