Mira's POV (First Person)
The company finally breathed again that evening.
Not completely.
Arcadia had only just begun, and everyone knew the real workload would become even worse from tomorrow onward.
But tonight—
for the first time in weeks—
people allowed themselves to celebrate.
The upper office lounge had been transformed almost overnight.
Soft golden lights glowed across the glass walls overlooking the city, music played quietly in the background, and employees filled the room with exhausted laughter and relieved conversations.
Some still carried laptops while eating.
Others looked half-dead but emotionally victorious.
Honestly—
everyone deserved this night.
"…I survived."
Michaela dramatically dropped beside me onto the lounge sofa while holding two plates of food.
"One for you."
"…thank you."
"One for me because I'm emotionally damaged."
"You've said that seventeen times today."
"And I'll say it eighteen."
I laughed softly while taking the plate from her.
The city lights outside shimmered beautifully through the massive windows, reflecting across the polished floor.
For a moment—
everything felt normal.
Peaceful.
No strange mysteries.
No ancient beings.
No terrifying conversations about forgotten truths.
Just people celebrating hard work together.
And honestly—
I needed this.
Michaela sat cross-legged beside me while stealing fries from her own plate dramatically.
"…so."
I narrowed my eyes slightly.
"…that tone worries me."
"Your boss."
I nearly sighed immediately.
"Of course."
"He looked proud of you today."
"He looked normal."
"Mira."
She slowly turned toward me.
"That man looks like he personally invented emotional detachment."
"…you're exaggerating again."
"No, I'm observant."
I ignored her and took another sip of juice.
Unfortunately—
Michaela wasn't done.
"And."
"…there's more?"
"Much more."
She leaned closer dramatically.
"His assistant keeps staring at me."
This time I nearly choked.
"What?!"
"I'm serious!"
I blinked repeatedly.
"…Kael?"
"Yes, Kael."
"…you're imagining things."
"That is EXACTLY what you said about your boss."
"…that's different."
"How?"
"…because…"
I stopped.
Because honestly—
I didn't know anymore.
Michaela gasped dramatically.
"…OH MY GOD."
"Please stop yelling."
"You hesitated."
"I did not."
"You absolutely did."
Before I could defend myself—
someone approached from behind us.
"You two are loud."
We both looked up instantly.
Kael stood there holding a glass in one hand, looking mildly exhausted but calmer than usual tonight.
Michaela immediately straightened slightly.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
"You survived," I said.
"Barely."
Kael sat across from us lazily.
"The finance department nearly sacrificed each other during revisions."
"…that sounds concerning."
"It was entertaining."
Michaela stared at him suspiciously.
"…you enjoy workplace suffering way too much."
Kael smiled faintly.
"And yet you survived under me."
"That sounds threatening."
"It was encouragement."
"…terrifying encouragement."
I laughed softly while watching them.
The conversation between them flowed strangely easily already.
Michaela's chaotic energy somehow balanced Kael's calm sarcasm perfectly.
And surprisingly—
Kael looked more relaxed around her too.
That alone felt shocking.
Then suddenly—
the atmosphere shifted.
Subtly.
Quietly.
But immediately noticeable.
My heartbeat slowed instinctively before I even turned around.
Azael.
Of course.
He had entered the lounge silently, dressed in black as always, one hand resting casually inside his pocket while several senior employees instantly straightened around him.
The strange thing about Azael was—
he never demanded attention.
Yet attention naturally moved toward him anyway.
Like gravity.
Michaela leaned slightly toward me.
"…okay now I understand why everyone fears him."
"…he's not scary."
Both Michaela and Kael looked at me immediately.
Silence.
Then Kael slowly spoke.
"…fascinating."
"What?"
"Nothing."
Michaela looked deeply unconvinced.
"…Mira."
"…hm?"
"…your survival instincts are broken."
Before I could answer—
Azael's gaze landed directly on me.
And just like always—
the noise around me softened slightly.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
Then unexpectedly—
he walked toward us.
No.
Toward me.
Kael immediately looked exhausted again.
"…here we go."
Azael stopped beside our table calmly.
His dark eyes briefly moved toward Michaela.
Then Kael.
Then finally settled on me.
"You should eat properly."
Not hello.
Not congratulations.
Straight to concern.
Michaela slowly turned toward me with pure disbelief.
"…you weren't joking."
I wanted the floor to open and swallow me whole.
"I am eating properly."
"You skipped lunch."
"…how do you know that."
Silence.
Kael answered instead.
"Because unfortunately he notices everything involving you."
Azael ignored him completely.
Again.
At this point it almost felt personal.
Then his gaze moved toward the untouched drink beside me.
"You also forgot this."
He picked it up calmly and placed it closer to me.
Like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Meanwhile—
Michaela looked one second away from screaming.
"…this is insane."
"Please be quiet," I whispered desperately.
"No."
Kael suddenly stood slowly.
"…I think we should leave them."
"What?!" I immediately looked at him.
Michaela blinked too.
"…wait why?"
Kael grabbed Michaela's wrist casually before she could protest further.
"Because unlike you two, some of us value peace."
"I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT'S HAPPENING."
"You'll survive."
And just like that—
Kael dragged Michaela away while she continued looking back at me dramatically like she had just discovered forbidden information.
Traitors.
Both of them.
Now only Azael and I remained near the glass windows.
The city lights reflected softly across the lounge around us.
For a few seconds—
silence settled comfortably again.
Not awkward.
Never awkward.
I looked down at my plate quietly.
"…everyone worked hard today."
"Yes."
"…people seem happy."
"They should be."
A pause.
Then Azael looked toward me again.
"You performed well."
Simple words.
Yet my chest tightened softly anyway.
"…thank you."
"You exceeded expectations."
I blinked slightly.
"…mine too?"
For the first time tonight—
something softer appeared in his eyes.
"Yes."
My heartbeat stumbled immediately.
Dangerous.
Extremely dangerous.
I looked away toward the city quickly.
"…why does he say things so calmly…"
The silence between us deepened quietly.
Comfortably.
Then suddenly—
Azael spoke again.
"You looked happier today."
The unexpected observation made me blink.
"…what?"
"With your friend."
I smiled faintly without realizing it.
"Michaela always makes things brighter."
Azael watched me carefully.
"You trust her."
"Yes."
The answer came naturally.
A small pause followed.
Then—
"That is good."
Something about his tone felt strange.
Quiet.
Thoughtful.
Almost distant.
I looked back at him slowly.
"…sir?"
Azael's gaze shifted toward the city lights outside.
"You smile more lately."
My breath paused slightly.
"…you notice strange things."
"I notice you."
The words came naturally from him.
Calmly.
Without hesitation.
And somehow—
that made them infinitely more dangerous.
Because he meant them completely.
My heartbeat completely lost rhythm this time.
I looked away immediately before my face became even warmer.
"…this is actually becoming a problem…"
Azael stepped slightly closer beside me near the window.
Not enough to invade my space.
Just enough for his calm presence to surround me again.
The city lights reflected softly in the glass around us.
And for one impossible moment—
everything else disappeared.
The noise.
The celebration.
The people.
All gone.
Leaving only this quiet feeling between us.
Then suddenly—
far across the lounge—
Kael watched the scene while Michaela stood beside him holding juice.
Michaela slowly looked toward Kael.
"…they like each other."
Kael sighed deeply.
"…yes."
"…and you sound worried."
"I am."
"…why?"
Kael's gaze darkened slightly while watching Azael quietly.
"…because you have no idea what happens when someone like him starts caring too much."