Working with him…
Was a mistake.
Not because I couldn't handle the pressure.
Not because the project was too much.
But because of him.
Elias.
"Jessy."
His voice pulled me back.
I looked up from my laptop.
"Yes, sir?"
He was standing right beside me.
Too close.
Again.
"Focus," he said calmly.
"I am," I replied.
His eyes lingered on me for a second longer than necessary.
"You're distracted."
I held his gaze.
"So are you."
Silence.
A dangerous kind.
Then—
He stepped back.
Just slightly.
"Finish the report," he said.
But his tone…
Wasn't as steady as before.
And that was the problem.
Because I wasn't the only one feeling it.
That night, the office was almost empty.
Just a few lights.
A few people.
And us.
"Still here?" he asked.
I didn't look up.
"Deadline."
A pause.
Then—
"So you don't know when to stop."
"I know when I can't afford to," I replied.
Silence again.
But softer this time.
Then—
"Come with me."
I frowned.
"For what?"
"You need a break."
"I'm fine."
"That wasn't a suggestion."
I looked up.
He was serious.
But not just that.
There was something else in his eyes.
Something… personal.
I stood up slowly.
We didn't speak as we walked.
Not in the elevator.
Not in the hallway.
Until—
We reached the rooftop.
The city lights stretched endlessly.
Beautiful.
Quiet.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.
"You push yourself too hard," he said.
"I have to."
"You don't."
I turned to him.
"Yes, I do."
Silence.
"You think I'm doing this for fun?" I continued.
"For recognition?"
"No," he said quietly.
"Then what do you think?"
He stepped closer.
"I think you're afraid of stopping."
That hit deeper than I expected.
"I'm afraid of going back," I corrected.
His eyes softened.
Just slightly.
"You're not going back," he said.
"You don't know that."
"I do."
Again.
That certainty.
"You say things like that like you control everything," I said.
"I don't," he replied.
"Then why do you sound so sure?"
Silence.
Then—
"Because I won't let you fall."
My breath caught.
That…
Wasn't normal.
"That's not your responsibility," I said quickly.
"I didn't say it was."
"Then don't act like it is."
He stepped closer again.
"I'm not acting."
Too close.
My heart started racing.
This was wrong.
But I didn't move.
"You should go back," I said softly.
"You're not leaving."
"I didn't say I was."
Silence.
Then—
A sudden wave of dizziness hit me.
I staggered slightly.
Before I could react—
His hand caught mine.
Strong.
Firm.
Warm.
"Jessy."
My name.
Not "miss."
Not "employee."
Jessy.
"I'm fine," I said quickly.
"You're not."
His grip didn't loosen.
And neither of us pulled away.
Because in that moment…
Something shifted.
Again.
Not just tension.
Something deeper.
Something dangerous.
Then—
Reality snapped back.
I pulled my hand away.
"This can't happen," I said.
He frowned slightly.
"What can't?"
"This," I said, gesturing between us.
"Whatever this is."
Silence.
Then—
"You're assuming something."
I let out a small, almost breathless laugh.
"Am I?"
His jaw tightened slightly.
"This is work," he said.
"Then act like it."
That landed.
Hard.
Silence stretched again.
But this time…
It felt different.
Controlled.
Restricted.
"I'll see you tomorrow," he said finally.
"Goodnight, sir."
Formal again.
Safe again.
But as I walked away…
My chest didn't feel safe.
Because I knew the truth.
And so did he.
We were crossing lines.
And pretending we weren't.
Across the city…
Cypher stood outside a restaurant.
Watching.
Jessy.
And Elias.
Together.
Too close.
His jaw tightened.
"What is this?" he muttered.
Behind him—
Vanessa stepped forward.
"I told you," she said softly.
"She's not who you thought she was."
But Cypher didn't respond.
Because for the first time…
He wasn't angry.
He was threatened.