Chapter 4: The Cold CEO

Raphina smiled and quickly replied: Still alive, heading home now.

She turned towards the door, her shoulder brushed against a narrow pedestal she hadn’t noticed beside the desk, something wobbled, a crystal sculpture.

Her eyes widened.”Oh,no…..she lunged forward.

Too late, the sculpture toppled from its stand. Time seemed to slow as it stuck the marble floor. The sound of shattering crystal echoes thorough the office like thunder.

Raphina stood frozen. Hundreds of glittering fragments scattered across the polished floor, the elegant sculpture was gone, reduced to broken pieces.

Her breathing turned shallow.”No….no, no, no…..”

She dropped to her knees, frantically gathering the shards with trembling hands. Maybe she could fit them together. Maybe_

The office door opened behind her. A deep voice, calm enough to send her spine, broke the silence.

What exactly do you think you’re doing??

Raphina hands froze over the shattered crystal, her pulse hammered against her ribs. She didn’t need to turn to know who had spoken, only one person possesssed a voice that calm…..and commanding. Slowly, she rose to her feet.

Silas Croft, just stood by the doorway. At six-foot-nine, he seemed to to fill the room without trying. His steel-gray eyes were fixed not on Raphina_ but on the broken crystal at her feet.

For several endless seconds, no one spoke. Raphina swallows hard.”I’m…l’m sorry, Mr. Croft

Silence.

He closed the office door behind him with a quiet click, the sound echoed louder than the shattering glass.

“I asked you a question. If anything, his calmness made it worse. Raphina forced herself to meet his gaze.

“I was delivering tomorrow’s presentation. I was leaving when I accidentally knocked over the sculpture.”

His eyes drifted to the leather porfolio resting neatly on his desk. So, the presentation was delivered.

“Yes.”

“And then you destroyed my property.”

I didn’t mean to_

Each sentence landed like another weight on her chest, she looked down, I’m sorry.

Silas stepped closer, his polished shoes stopped inches from the glittering shards. He crouched slowly, picking up a single pieces of crystal between his fingers. It caught the light, throwing tiny rainbows across his expressionless face.

“Do you know what this was?”

Raphina shopped her head. “No, sir.”

“My mother bought it during our last trip together.” His voice remained even. It was the last birthday gift she ever gave me.

Her heart dropped. She had expected anger or grief.

“I…” her throat tightened. “I’m so sorry.”

Silas stared at the crystal fragments for a long money before placing it carefully on the desk.

I’ll pay for it

“You can’t.

I’ll replace it.

“You can’t.”

The same tow words. This time they sounded less like irritation… and more like finality.

Raphina felt tears sting her eyes. I would never have touched it if I had known.

“I know.” His answer surprised her, he looked at her proper for the first time. She wasn’t what he had expected, most employees tries to defend themselves, some blamed others, some lied, she had done none of this things. She simply looked devastated.

Without another word, Silas walked to the window overlooking the rain-soaked city. His back remained turned as he Raphina knelt once more. She gathered each fragment carefully, terrified of leaving even the smalles pieces behind. The office remained silent except for the soft clinking of crystal against the cardboard.

Silas turned. His gaze swept across the floor before settling on the small box in her hands.

Leave it. She placed the box gently on the cover of his desk.

“I’m truly sorry.”

Finally, Silas noddd once towards the door. You may go.

Good night, Mr. Croft. She hurried from the office, resisting the urge to run. Only when the elevator doors closed did she release the breath she has been holding.

“Oh, God!!” She leaned against the mirrored wall. Her career was over she was certain of it.

Silas remained in the office alone. The empty pedestal stood like an accusation. His eyes lingered in the small box of shattered crystal, slowly, he reached into a locked drawer and removed an old photograph.

A younger Silas stood beside a smoking woman with warm brown eyes. His mother, she held the crystal sculpture in her hands.

He closed his eyes. For years he convicted himself that memeoreis were enough, tonight proved otherwise.

A sharp knock interrupted his thought.” Come in.”

His executive assistant, Sophia Bennett, stepped inside. I heard something break, is everything alright?

Silas placed the photograph back in the drawer before she could see it.

Who assigned Raphina Vance to deliver these documents?

Mr Martins, sir.

“I see.”

Should I prepare her termination papers? The question lingered in the air. Silas looked toward the porfolio Raphina had delivered, almost absentmindedly, he opened it.

The first blueprint unfolded across his desk. Elegant, efficient, innovative. Then he turned another page, then another. Each designs solved problems that senior architect had failed to address for weeks. Whoever had drawn these possessed rare instincts, he looked at the signature. Raphina Vance.

He looked at Sophia. No, don’t terminate her.

She blinked. Sophia tried not to look surprised. You’ve never overlooked negligence before.

“I’m not overlooking it.” Then.. Silas closed her portfolio.

Schedule a meeting with Miss Vance tomorrow morning.

“Eight, before the presentation.”

Yes sir, Sophia nodded. I’ll inform the Human Resources.

As she reached the door, Silas spoke again.

“And Sophia….” She turned.

Bring me Miss Vance’s complete employee file.

A flicker of curiosity crossed her face. Immediately.

When she left, silence reclaimed the office. Silas walked back to the rain- steaked window.

Far below, he watched Raphina emerge from the building, clit hung her bag tightly has she hurried down towards the bus instead of the line of waiting luxury cars. She wasn’t driven, wasn’t escorted, she was alone. Most of his employees chased status, Raphina Vance chased survival, for reasons he couldn’t yet explain…..

He found himself watching till her bus disappeared into the rainy night.