Chapter 4

DANIELLA POV

The next morning felt heavy. I woke up with sore eyes and a tired heart. The room was quiet. Lilian was still asleep beside me, her hand resting near my arm like she had been guarding me all night.

For a while, I just lay there and stared at the ceiling. My chest felt tight, but the tears were gone. I did not feel strong. I sat up slowly, wiped my face, and stood from the bed. .

I got ready in silence.

By the time I reached the office, I was already tired. The building felt colder than usual. The hall was quiet. When I walked to my desk, more files were already waiting for me. The stack looked higher than the day before.

My fingers trembled a little as I touched the first file.

I took a slow breath and sat down.

The day had only just begun, and I already felt the weight pressing on me again.

My hands moved through the files, but my mind felt slow. Words blurred on the paper. Numbers danced in front of my eyes. I blinked many times, trying to stay focused. I did not want anyone to think I was weak.

Rider walked out of his office.

The room changed the moment he stepped out. Everyone went quiet. His presence filled the space like a weight in the air. He did not look at me at first. He spoke to someone else, gave instructions. His voice was calm and firm.

Then his eyes fell on me.

Just for a second.

Cold. Sharp. As if I was something fragile that did not belong in his world.

My chest tightened. I looked back at my files. I did not speak. I did not breathe too loud. I only worked.

Hours passed.

My back ached. My neck felt stiff. Hunger burned in my stomach, but I did not leave my seat. I watched people pack their bags and go home. The office lights went off one by one.

While mine stayed on. 

More files arrived.

My eyes watered, but I forced myself to swallow the tears.

Rider came out again. He stopped when he saw me still there. His face did not change, but something in his eyes looked tense. He walked closer and stood near my desk.

“You are not done yet?” he asked quietly.

His voice was calm, but it cut through my tired heart.

“I am trying,” I said softly. “There is still more to finish.”

He looked at the files, then at my face. My eyes were red. My hands shook a little, even though I tried to hide it.

For a brief moment, his jaw tightened.

He turned away.

“Do not make mistakes,” he said, and walked back into his office.

The door closed.

My throat burned.

I bit my lip so I would not cry again.

I worked until the letters on the page turned into fog. My head felt light. My heart felt heavy. The office was silent. By the time I was done, I closed my laptop and decided to head home when the door to Ryder’s office opened.

“You’re leaving already?” he asked from the hallway.

“Yes, sir. I’m done with the paperwork for today, so I’m leaving.”

“I’ll take you home if you don’t mind,” he replied, shocking me to the core. Did Ryder Brighton really offer me a ride? I must be dreaming.

“Oh, uh, no worries. It’s fine. I don’t want to disturb you anyway, sir. I’ll just take a bus,” I said, my voice a little shaky.

“Don’t worry, Daniella. I’ll take you home. It’s late anyway, and it’s my fault you’re going home this late.”

Before I could reply, he was already escorting me to his private parking lot and opened the door for me.

He started driving and asked me for directions to my house, which I explained. His intriguing scent filled the car, and it was oddly fascinating.

“How are you coping at work, Daniella?” he asked.

I felt a surge of anger at the question, but I kept my cool and smiled. After all, he was my boss, and if I wasn’t careful with my words, I could get fired.

“Oh, uh, work is great, but it’s draining. I haven’t really made any friends yet because I’m so occupied, but I’ll adjust to my schedule. The pay is good, so I can’t give up just because it’s not easy, sir. Success isn’t easy, and I’m determined to work hard,” I said.

“Wow. I didn’t really expect that answer from you. Don’t get me wrong, you’re smart, but a lot of my secretaries usually end up quitting because of the workload, and they weren’t smart at all. Just flirty and parasites. But you’re the opposite,” he said, looking at me surprised, and then he laughed.

His laughter did something to me that I didn’t understand. I tried to hide my blush and just smiled back at him.

I guess everyone are not the same and you’re not meant to judge someone based on how someone acted towards you in the past. 

He smiled at me again and I just blushed like a high school girl. Gosh this was inappropriate and embarrassing. I looked at the window and just appreciated the view while hiding my face from him. 

We sat in silence till we reached my house. 

Rider stopped his car in front of my house and came to open the passenger door for me. Lilian heard the sound of his car and came out to check out what’s wrong and I couldn’t be more embarrassed. She smiled at rider and greeted him while giving me thid taunting look. I wished the ground could just swallow me at this point.

I thanked rider for the drive and watched him leave before stepping into the house.

I just knew things were never going to be the same after this drive and I didn’t know how to feel about it.