Step lighter

Chapter Thirteen

Martina’s POV

I rush out of the building like I can’t breathe inside it anymore.

Like the walls are closing in.

Like if I stay one second longer, I might completely lose it.

My steps are fast—almost unsteady—as I push through the glass doors and into the open air. But even out here, the tightness in my chest doesn’t ease.

Because of him. Bruno.

Just seeing him—

It stirs something ugly inside me. Something I thought I buried a long time ago.

Anger, Pain and confusion.

I don’t even know what he was doing there… or if this was somehow planned. For a second, I almost convince myself Collins set it up—that bringing Bruno into that room was just another way to humiliate me.

Because what are the chances?

Of all places, Of all people. Why him?

Why now?

I press my lips together, trying to steady my breathing, but it’s useless.

Seeing Bruno again felt worse than what I just went through with Collins.

At least with Collins, I knew what I was dealing with.

But Bruno… Bruno is different. Bruno is history.

And history hurts.

I shake my head slightly, forcing the thoughts away as I step further from the building. I need to leave. I need to get as far away from this place—and everything in it—as possible.

I pull out my phone and try to order a taxi, my fingers moving quickly over the screen.

Come on…

But before I can confirm the ride—

A sharp horn cuts through the noise.

I look up.

And freeze.

A sleek black car is parked just a few feet away.

Herrick’s car.

The driver leans slightly out, gesturing toward me.

“Miss Martina!”

For a moment, I just stare.

Then I quickly walk over, confusion already settling in.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, my brows knitting together. “Why aren’t you at the office?”

The driver opens the door for me respectfully.

“Mr. Herrick asked me to pick you up,” he says.

I pause.

“What?”

Surprise flashes across my face before I can hide it.

Herrick… sent for me?

That doesn’t sound right.

Not at all.

The Herrick I know doesn’t go out of his way for anyone.

Especially not me.

A strange feeling settles in my chest as I stand there, hesitating for just a second.

Because something about this…

Doesn’t add up.

I hesitate for a moment longer, my hand hovering just above the car door.

Something about this feels… off.

Herrick sending for me?

After the way he spoke to me this morning?

“Are you sure?” I ask, narrowing my eyes slightly. “He said you should pick me up?”

The driver nods without hesitation. “Yes, Miss Martina. He said I should bring you straight to him.”

Straight to him.

My chest tightens.

Why?

Did something go wrong?

Did I mess up the assignment already?

Or—

Did he find out what happened with Collins?

The thought sends a small wave of unease through me.

I glance back at the building behind me.

For a second, I almost expect Bruno to walk out.

He doesn’t. Good.

I don’t think I’m ready to see him again.

Not now.

Maybe not ever.

I exhale quietly, then finally step into the car.

The door closes behind me with a soft click, sealing me into the quiet, controlled space.

“Take me to him,” I say.

“Yes, ma’am.”

The car pulls away smoothly.

Silence settles again—but this time, it feels heavier.

My hands rest on my lap, but my fingers won’t stay still. They keep moving, twisting slightly, betraying the tension building inside me.

Herrick doesn’t do things without a reason.

If he sent for me…

Then something is coming.

I just don’t know if it’s good or bad.

The drive feels longer than it actually is.

Every turn, every stoplight, every second stretches my nerves tighter.

By the time the car finally pulls into the compound, my heart is already beating faster.

We’re back at the office 

Of course.

The gates open, and the car glides in like it belongs here.

Like everything here belongs to him.

The driver steps out first, opening the door for me again.

“We’re here.”

I nod and step out slowly, my eyes scanning the quiet surroundings.

Everything looks the same as yesterday morning.

I walk straight into his office, my steps quieter this time.

The room feels different—calmer, heavier, like something important is about to be said.

Herrick is seated behind his desk, his attention fixed on his laptop. The faint tapping of keys fills the silence, sharp and controlled.

He looks up the moment he hears my footsteps.

Our eyes meet.

For a second, neither of us speaks.

Then—

“I’m sorry for what happened,” he says.

Just like that.

I blink, caught off guard.

“If I had known this would happen, I wouldn’t have sent you there,” he adds, his tone steady but lower than usual.

I just stand there, staring at him.

Herrick… apologizing?

To me?

The same man who barely tolerates mistakes?

For a moment, I don’t even know how to respond.

“How do you know what happened, sir?” I finally ask, my voice careful.

He leans back slightly in his chair, his gaze still fixed on me.

“I have ears,” he replies calmly. “And that’s exactly why I sent the driver to pick you up.”

So he knew.

Maybe not everything—but enough.

My fingers tighten slightly at my sides.

“I’m going to have him arrested for what he did,” he continues, his voice turning colder now. “No one crosses that line and walks away.”

Something in his tone makes it clear—

He means it.

I let out a quiet breath.

“Thank you, sir,” I say sincerely.

For a brief second, silence settles between us again.

Then the weight of it hits me.

My first task.

My first day.

And I failed.

Guilt creeps in.

“But… I failed my first assignment,” I add, my voice softer now. “What can I do to make it up to you?”

Herrick studies me.

Longer this time.

Then—

A faint smirk touches his lips. Unexpected.

“You didn’t fail,” he says.

I blink. “What?”

“I told you to leave. You left,” he continues. “That’s not failure.”

The tension in my chest loosens slightly.

“But—”

“However,” he cuts in smoothly, leaning forward just a little, “next time, you handle things faster. You call me before it escalates.”

I nod quickly. “Yes, sir.”

He leans back again, dismissing the tension just as easily as he created it.

“That’s all.”

I hesitate.

“That’s… all?”

“Yes.”

I blink again, still trying to process it.

“No punishment?” I almost ask—but stop myself.

Instead, I nod.

“Thank you, sir.”

He glances back at his laptop, already shifting his attention away from me.

“Go home,” he says. “Rest.”

Then, after a brief pause—

“And resume early tomorrow morning.”

I straighten slightly.

“You’ll be starting your secretary work fully tomorrow.”

The words settle in.

“Yes, sir,” I reply.

I turn to leave, my steps lighter than when I walked in.

But just as I reach the door

I pause for a second.