Tension Rises

CHAPTER 16

The office smelt faintly of coffee and tension that morning.

Not the usual kind of tension. The quiet, coiled kind. Sharp, watching, waiting.

Ivy wasn’t here yet. But her presence lingered in my mind. That soft, dangerous influence. Always watching. Always calculating. Always testing.

I tried to focus on my desk. On the emails. On the reports. On anything that didn’t involve Reign or Ivy.

But the air felt thick. Heavy.

And then, of course, everything started.

“Morning, Maya,” Reign said quietly as he walked past my desk.

I looked up. He was calm. Controlled. But there was something in his eyes. A subtle warning. Sharp. Dangerous. Protective.

“Morning, sir,” I replied. My voice is too small. My stomach is tight.

He didn’t linger. Just a nod. A glance that spoke volumes. A subtle anchor I couldn’t resist leaning into.

The first call of the day was from a client. Minor, but urgent. Henderson had mismanaged something, and I had to fix it fast.

Evan appeared at my side before I could fully panic.

“Need a hand?” he asked casually, but his eyes were sharp. Calculating. Observant.

“Yes,” I whispered, grateful. “This… it’s a mess.”

He nodded. “It’s not just the numbers, though. Watch how people react. That’s where the tension hides.”

We worked silently. Efficiently. Wordless communication. Mutual understanding. Small nods. Tiny gestures.

Then Ivy arrived.

Of course.

She didn’t announce herself. She didn’t need to. Her presence was felt before she entered.

“Ah,” she said, voice light, casual. “Busy morning?”

I froze. Heart hammering. Mind racing.

Reign appeared behind me in a flash, silent, protective, watching. Dangerous warmth radiating from him.

“Yes,” he said calmly. “We’re managing. Nothing you need to concern yourself with.”

Ivy tilted her head, a faint smirk playing on her lips. “Oh, I’m sure there’s always something. Especially when new people are involved.”

I swallowed. My pulse spiked.

Evan stepped slightly forward, subtle but protective. “She’s busy with reports,” he said smoothly. “All under control.”

Ivy’s gaze flicked between the three of us. Measuring. Calculating. Predatory.

And then she smiled. That sharp, dangerous smile. “Of course. Just… observe everything, won’t you?”

The rest of the morning felt like walking on a tightrope.

Every glance. Every word. Every subtle movement mattered.

I focused. Observed. Adapted. Learnt.

Reign stayed close by. Occasionally offering a hint of guidance. Silent corrections. Subtle gestures. Protective. Dangerous. Encouraging.

Evan lingered, watching me closely. Pointing out subtle signs, patterns, and behaviours. Subtle lessons wrapped in casual conversation.

And Ivy… she watched. Smiled. Tested. Always testing.

Lunch came. But it wasn’t a reprieve.

Ivy was seated in the lounge, casually scrolling on her phone. Perfect posture. Calm. Calculated.

Reign appeared beside me silently. Protective, dangerous, warm.

“She’s planning,” he said quietly. “Every movement she makes is deliberate. Watch her. Learn her methods. Protect yourself.”

I nodded slowly. My pulse racing. Every word felt heavy. Personal. Dangerous. Intimate.

“You’re doing well,” he said softly. “Even under her shadow. Don’t let her shake you. Not here. Not with me watching.”

My chest tightened. Dangerous warmth. Protective energy.

I nodded. Couldn’t speak. Heart hammering.

Afternoon brought the next wave of challenges.

Ivy didn’t need to be present physically to make her influence felt. Subtle emails. Minor disruptions. Whispered rumours. Questions posed strategically to others.

I tried to navigate. Adjust. Adapt. Survive.

Evan guided me silently. Watching my reactions. Offering insight. Protective without being obvious. Dangerous without being threatening.

I realised then… Office politics were like war. But invisible. Silent. Dangerous.

And I was in the middle of it.

By late afternoon, the tension snapped.

A report went missing. Not critical, but enough to make Reign tense. Enough to make Ivy smirk quietly.

I felt my pulse spike. Heart racing. Thoughts scattered.

Reign’s eyes were sharp. Dangerous. Protective. Focused.

“Find it,” he said quietly. “Now.”

“Yes… sir,” I whispered, fingers shaking slightly as I scoured the files.

Ivy appeared silently behind me, watching. Smirking. “Lost something?”

I swallowed. “No.”

Her gaze lingered. Measuring. Dangerous. Personal.

Reign stepped close. Protective. Warnings hidden in his calm presence. Edge in his voice. “Focus. Ignore distractions.”

I nodded. Pulled myself together. Heart still racing. Mind focused.

Evan leaned down quietly beside me. “Check the archive,” he whispered. “She planted it to test reactions.”

I blinked. “Test reactions?”

“Yes,” he said softly. “Always testing. Always watching. Always controlling.”

I followed his suggestion. Sure enough, the files were in the secondary archive, placed subtly out of sight. Ivy’s signature move. Calculated. Clever. Dangerous.

I felt a strange thrill. Survival. Observation. Small victory.

Evening arrived, tense and heavy.

The office emptied gradually. Shadows lengthened. Silence settled like a blanket over the space.

Reign approached my desk as I packed.

“You did well today,” he said quietly. “Better than well. You adapted. Observed. Protect yourself. Learnt.”

I swallowed. “Thank you… sir.”

He leaned slightly closer. Dangerous warmth. Personal. Protective. Edge in his eyes.

“Tomorrow will be harder,” he added. “Expect more challenges. More shadows. And more… complications.”

I nodded. Couldn’t speak. Heart racing. Chest tight.

Later, when the office was empty, I reflected on the day.

Evan’s guidance had been invaluable. Insight. Strategy. Observation. Survival.

Ivy’s shadow remained, long and threatening. Calculated. Sharp. Personal.

Reign’s protection, subtle yet intimate, was comforting. Dangerous. Warm.

And me… I was learning. Growing. Adapting. Observing. Surviving.

I realised something crucial.

Office battles weren’t just about work.

They were about people. Motives. Shadows. Secrets. Lies. And alliances—unexpected, subtle, powerful.

Ivy, Reign, Evan… and me.

We were all part of a game. Dangerous, personal, and high-stakes.

And I was already in the middle of it.

As I left the office, the city skyline stretched before me.

The lights flickered on, one by one. Shadows lengthened. Threats and opportunities mingled.

Ivy would return. She always did.

Reign would watch. Protect. Challenge. Encourage.

And I… I was ready.

For the tension. For the shadows. For the unexpected alliances.

For everything.