The Ex

I barely slept.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw them Nikos and Bella. His hands on her waist. Her fingers in his hair.

I had no right to feel what I was feeling.

I arrived early Tuesday, slipped into my office before the floor filled up, and stared at my screen until the words stopped meaning anything.

At nine-fifteen, my desk phone rang.

I stared at it. Let it ring once, and twice

I picked it up. “Elena Hayes.”

“My office, Now!” Nikos clipped, commanding.

“I’m in the middle of ” The line went dead.

I set the phone down slowly. My hands were shaking. I noticed that and said nothing to myself about it.

I grabbed my tablet and walked to the elevator.

Whatever this was, I wouldn’t arrive small.

His office door was open. He stood by the window, hands in his pockets, staring out at Athens.

I knocked once. “You wanted to see me?” I asked coolly.

He turned, dark circles under his eyes like he hadn’t slept either.

“Close the door,” he said quietly.

“I’d prefer to leave it open,” I replied.

“Elena.”

“It’s Ms. Hayes, and whatever you need to discuss can be discussed with the door open.”I corrected icily.

His jaw clenched. “Fine. About last night”

“There’s nothing to discuss about last night. I came to collect files as instructed. I did so. End of story.”I interrupted sharply.

“You walked in on something.”

“I walked in on my boss’s private business, which is none of my concern, I apologize for the intrusion. It won’t happen again.” I said, my voice perfectly level.

“It’s not what you think,” he insisted.

“I don’t think anything, Mr. Stavros,” I stated. “You made it clear when we agreed to this arrangement that this is strictly business.

Your personal life is irrelevant to me.”

“Then why won’t you look at me?” he challenged quietly.

My eyes snapped to his, big mistake.

The intensity in his gaze made my breath catch.

“I’m looking at you,” I said defiantly.

“You’re angry,” he observed.

“I’m professional,” I corrected.

“You’re lying,” he said.

My hands curled into fists at my sides. “Is there anything else you need, Mr. Stavros? Because I have actual work to do.”

“What I had with Bella meant nothing,” he stated firmly.

“I don’t care,” I lied.

“You do,” he insisted.

“I don’t, what you do with your HR manager or anyone else in this building is completely irrelevant to me. We have a business arrangement, three months, that’s it.” I said furiously, my voice rising despite myself.

“Then why are your hands shaking?” he asked softly.

I shoved them behind my back. “They’re not.

“Elena.”

“Don’t,” I said, my voice cracking slightly. I hated that it did.

“Don’t pretend this matters, Don’t pretend I matter. We both know why I’m here. My brother’s debt, three months of work. Then I’m gone.”

Silence stretched between us.

“I ended it,” he revealed quietly.

I blinked. “What?”

“With Bella, last night, after you left. I ended it,” he repeated.

My heart pounded. “Why would you do that?”

He stepped closer. “Because of the way you looked at me when you walked through that door.”

“We’re nothing to each other,” I whispered, but the words felt hollow.

“Then why does it feel like we’re both lying?” he murmured.

The air between us felt charged

I forced myself to step back. “I have work to do,” I said.

“Elena”

“Ms. Hayes, and this conversation is over.” I corrected coldly.

I turned and walked out before he could say anything else.

Before I could do something stupid like believe him.

By noon, I needed air.

I grabbed my coat and headed out, walking aimlessly through Athens streets until I found a small coffee shop tucked between a bookstore and a flower market.

I ordered an espresso and claimed a table by the window.

“Elena?”

I looked up.

Marcus Chen. Tall, wire-rimmed glasses, that same unhurried smile. Two years together and he still looked like someone who had nowhere to be but exactly where he was.

“What are you doing in Athens?” I managed.

“Oh my God.” He laughed, shaking his head. “Elena Hayes, of all the coffee shops.”

I stood, he answered by pulling me into a hug.

“Conference,” he explained, pulling back.

“Tech summit. It ends tomorrow, you?”

“Work,” I said simply. “Temporary assignment.”

“Can I join you?” he asked hopefully.

“Of course,” I said, gesturing to the empty chair.

He sat, ordered a coffee, and we fell into easy conversation, laughing about old memories. It felt good catching up, I could breathe again.

“You look good, Elena,” Marcus said warmly.

“Really good.”

“So do you,” I replied honestly.

“I’ve missed you,” he admitted. “I know how we ended was… complicated. But I’ve thought about you a lot.”

My chest tightened. “Marcus!”

“I’m not asking for anything,” he said quickly.

“Just… it’s good to see you. That’s all.”

He reached across the table and squeezed my hand.

That’s when I saw him standing outside the coffee shop window, staring directly at us.

His expression was thunder.

Our eyes locked through the glass.

Marcus was still talking, oblivious. “…maybe we could have dinner tonight? Catch up properly?”

I couldn’t look away from Nikos.

He pushed open the coffee shop door and walked straight toward our table.

“Elena,” Nikos said, his voice tight.

I pulled my hand back from Marcus’s. “Mr. Stavros,” I said carefully. “This is unexpected.”

“Is it?” he asked, his eyes flicking to Marcus, then back to me. “I was in the neighborhood.”

“Marcus, this is Nikos Stavros. My… boss,” I said. “Mr. Stavros, this is Marcus Chen. An old friend.”

“Friend,” Nikos repeated, his tone making it clear he didn’t believe that for a second.

Marcus stood, extending his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

Nikos shook it, his grip probably harder than necessary. “Likewise.”

“Elena and I were just catching up,” Marcus explained pleasantly. “We used to date, years ago.”

“How nice,” Nikos said, his voice like ice.

The tension was suffocating.

“Well, I should get back to the office,” I said, standing abruptly. “Marcus, it was good seeing you.”

“Wait, what about dinner?” Marcus asked.

“She’s busy,” Nikos said before I could answer.

I turned to him, anger flashing. “Excuse me?”

“You have the presentation to finish,remember ?” Nikos said pointedly.

“The presentation that isn’t due until Friday?” I asked coldly.

Marcus looked between us, clearly sensing the tension. “You know what, I should actually get going too, conference call in twenty minutes.” He turned to me. “But here’s my number. Text me if you’re free.”

He scribbled on a napkin and handed it to me.

I took it. “I will.”

Marcus left, and suddenly it was just me and Nikos in the middle of the coffee shop.

“What the hell was that?” I demanded quietly.

“I could ask you the same thing,” he said.

“I was having coffee with an old friend,” I replied.

“He wants you back,” Nikos stated.

“That’s none of your business,” I shot back.

“It is when it affects your work,” he argued.

“My work?” I laughed bitterly. “This has nothing to do with work, and you know it.” I laughed bitterly.

“Then what is it about, Elena?” he challenged, stepping closer.

“You tell me,” I said. My voice came out steadier than I felt.

“You’re the one who showed up here. You’re the one who ended things with Bella. You’re the one who..”

“Who what?” he demanded.

“Who’s acting like you have some claim on me when you don’t,” I finished.

“Don’t I?”

The room went very quiet.

“No,” I said. “You don’t.”

He looked at me for a long moment. Then he stepped back.

“You’re right,” he said quietly. “I don’t. Enjoy your afternoon, Ms. Hayes.”

He turned and walked out.

I stood there until I heard the elevator. The napkin with Marcus’s number was crumpled in my fist. I didn’t remember doing that.