2. Echoes in the Dark

Zephyr’s POV

“Zephyr, you are gonna burn a hole in that plate if you continue gazing,” Dad utters.

I snap out of my thoughts, grabbing the bowl. “Just thinking, Dad. Big day tomorrow. New job at NexusVibe.”

Mom, slicing bread at the counter, turns with a proud smile. “My boy, working for the big shots. Vorian, no less. You are gonna shine, Zephyr.”

“Shine?” Selene, my older sister, snorts from her seat. “He is gonna need more than shine to survive that guy. Vorian is a shark, Zeph.”

I roll my eyes, scooping potatoes. “I can handle a shark, Selene. I am not some rookie. NexusVibe is a step up.”

“Step up from what?” Selene says, her eyes narrowing like she’s sniffing out a secret. “You left Nathaniel Holt’s company in a hurry. What if Vorian digs into that? Thinks you’re a spy or something?”

My fork freezes halfway to my mouth, her words hitting like ice water.

“Spy?” I say, forcing a laugh. “Come on, Selene. Vorian is too busy running an empire to play detective. I am just his secretary.”

“Just?” Mom says, sitting down with the bread basket. “You are Zephyr Cole. You do not do ‘just’ anything. But Selene’s got a point. Men like Vorian Rex do not trust easy.”

“Your mother is right,” Dad says, leaning back, his teacher voice kicking in. “I read about him. Guy is untouchable. Built NexusVibe into a monster. You gotta watch your back, son.”

“Dad, it is fine,” I say, but my gut twists. Vorian’s reputation; cold, sharp, hotter than he has any right to be, has me curious. Too curious. I shove the thought down, focusing on my plate. “I am there to work, not make waves.”

“Waves?” Selene says, smirking. “You are walking into a storm, Zeph. I saw Vorian’s COO, Silas Vaughn, at a conference once. Guy is loyal as hell to Vorian. If they discover your history with Holt, you are doomed."

I grit my chin, her words igniting a flame in my heart. “They will not. HR vetted me. My record’s clean. Can we drop this?”

“Clean?” Selene says, leaning forward. “You blew up Nathaniel Holt’s dirty little secrets and got fired. That’s not clean, Zeph. That’s a target on your back.”

“Selene, enough,” Mom says, her voice firm but soft. “Zephyr’s starting fresh. Let him have this.”

“Thanks, Mom,” I utter, sending her an appreciative glance. “I am not anxious. NexusVibe’s my shot to prove myself. Vorian Rex won’t know what hit him.”

Dad chuckles, sipping his water. “That is my boy. Just don’t get cocky. Men like Rex eat cocky for breakfast.”

“Gross, Dad,” I say, laughing despite myself. “I am not on the menu. I am there to organize his life, not mess it up.”

“Mess it up?” Selene says, her grin turning wicked. “You have got that look, Zeph. Like you are already imagining him. Heard he’s stupid hot. You gonna keep it professional?”

My face flushes, and I push a mouthful of lasagna into my mouth to cover it. Vorian’s features; defined jaw, intense gaze, appears in my mind from a magazine cover. Yeah, he’s hot. Too hot. The kind of hot that makes you forget your own name.

“Professional’s my middle name,” I say, winking at Selene. “Unlike you, Miss Marketing Guru, flirting with every client.”

“Low blow!” Selene says, tossing a bread roll at me. I catch it, grinning.

“Kids,” Mom says, shaking her head, but she’s smiling. “Zephyr, I’m proud of you. But promise me you will be careful. Big companies, big egos; trouble follows.”

“Promise,” I say, but her words linger, mixing with Selene’s warning about my past. I left Holt’s company behind, but it is like a shadow I can’t shake.

Dad leans forward, his eyes serious. “You are tough, Zeph. Always have been. But if this Vorian guy gives you grief, you tell me. I will show up with my old chalkboard and lecture him.”

I laugh, picturing Dad scolding a billionaire. “Deal, Dad. But I have got this. NexusVibe’s my chance to make it big.”

“Big?” Selene says, raising an eyebrow. “Just do not let that shark swallow you whole. Or, you know, charm you into something stupid.”

“Charm?” I say, smirking to cover the heat creeping up my neck. “I am immune. Vorian Rex is just a boss, not a fairy tale.”

Mom stands, clearing plates. “Zephyr, you’re too smart to fall for fairy tales. But you’ve got heart. Do not let that job bury it.”

“I won’t,” I say, but her words hit deep. Heart’s the problem; mine’s already racing at the thought of meeting Vorian tomorrow.

“Speaking of jobs,” Dad says, “I heard Nathaniel Holt’s been bad-mouthing NexusVibe. You sure you are not walking into a war zone?”

I freeze, my fork clattering. “Holt is just noise, Dad. He’s got nothing on NexusVibe.” But my voice shakes, and Selene notices, her eyes narrowing.

“Zeph, you okay?” she says, softer now. “You look like you saw a ghost.”

“I am fine,” I say, too quick. “Just tired. Big day tomorrow.”

Mom touches my shoulder. “Get some rest, honey. You will need it.”

“Yeah,” I say, standing. “I am heading home. Thanks for dinner.”

“Call me if you need me,” Selene says, her voice serious. “I mean it, Zeph.”

“I will,” I say, hugging her, then Mom and Dad. But as I leave, Selene’s words about Holt and Vorian echo, making my skin prickle.

I get to my apartment, the city lights buzzing outside. I toss my keys on the counter, ready to crash, but something catches my eye; a folded note slipped under my door. My name’s scrawled on it in red ink, jagged and angry.

“Who the hell…” I mutter, my heart pounding. I pick it up, hands shaking, and unfold it. The words hit like a punch: “I know what you did. Watch yourself.”

I stare at the note, my pulse racing. Someone’s watching me, and they are closer than I thought.