LOGINTessy’s POVThe torch's small sound hitting the floor drummed through the room and through my ears little death drum.Right through my chest, tightening the ends as Liam's eyes bore into mine.For a long second, neither of us moved. We stared directly at each other as the only thing I could hear was my own breathing.And even that began to play tricks on me, sounding more steady and controlled than I felt, like I hadn’t just dropped something that clearly meant more than I was letting on.His eyes stayed on me beyond the moment, even as he took a step forward, not making any move to pick the torch.It wasn't sharp this time, like her name had broken the little edge he was building.“Helena?” He repeated, slower now, like the name didn’t sit right in his mouth anymore.I held his gaze, even though something in it had shifted. His eyes seemed to dance around, not fully settling on any emotion at the moment.“You know her?” He asked again after a while, but I didn’t answer immediately st
Tessy’s POVThe door clicked softly behind me as I shut it, and didn’t look back from there.The morning air hit my face the second I stepped outside—cool, quiet, almost too still. For a moment, I just stood there, letting it settle against my skin, like it was trying to slow me down.But it didn’t. I pulled my jacket closer and started walking.The streets were barely awake. Just a few cars passing by, distant and not stopping for a second to look at me.Perfect.Somewhere down the road, a shop light flickered on. Everything felt normal.Too normal.Like nothing was waiting to break. But something had.My steps quickened as I rushed along.I kept my head down as I reached the stop, slipping into the small crowd already waiting. No one paid attention. No one looked twice.Good. I needed that.The bus came in a short while, the doors folding open like it was reluctant to take us anywhere.When it finally did, I climbed in without thinking, tapping my fare and moving straight to the ba
Tessy's POVNo.Yes.No.Yes.I have to, this has gone too far to stop.So we finished off the rest of our dinner in silence, Helena eating like nothing was wrong while I couldn't help but steal glances at her all through.But the thoughts didn't come back, not till we finished off and took plates to the kitchen together, not till we said our pleasantries and pated for bed.On bed alone, sleep refused to come. I lay there with my eyes closed for longer than I could count, my body still, but my mind refusing to rest. Every time I got close—every time I felt myself slipping into that quiet place—I saw her.Helena. The way she looked at me. The way she said good like it meant something deeper than the word itself.I turned on my side, pulling the blanket tighter around me.This was getting dangerous. Not because of her.But cause of me.Cause for a second—just a second—I almost let myself care.My chest tightened at the thought, and I forced my eyes open, staring into the darkness.No.
Helena’s POVTonight… tonight had already been everything and more than I could have imagined.And for a second back there, this felt like a good end to a good night. So what next?His words lingered in my head long after he said them, soft and dangerous in a way I couldn’t quite explain.They settled somewhere deep in my chest, stirring up that burning eagerness to know what it is and also the fear of what it could be at the same time.Somewhere else? With him?I should have kicked against it at once, should have drawn a line and told him the night had already gone too far, that I had already allowed too much. But instead, I found myself watching him, watching the calm look in his expression, the soft way his shoulders stood.“I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” I said, my voice softer than I intended. “Tonight already feels… right. I don’t want to ruin it.”He didn’t hesitate. “You won’t.”I stared at him, hoping I could find it in me to walk away, but I couldn't.So I nodded slow
Helena's POV What has it been? Months? Years? Gosh.I can't remember the last time I saw those lights or came close to anything like this.He must be kidding me. How did he—“An arcade?”Barron glanced at me briefly. “Yeah?”I let out a small, surprised laugh before I could stop it. “No, I just—didn’t expect this.”“I think that works better.”I shook my head slightly as I stepped out of the car, stepping into the sounds spilling out from inside.“So this is your grand plan, Mr. Barron?” I asked, glancing at him.“You know you don't have to call me sir,” he suggested and I gulped. “We aren't even on work grounds,” he added and I rubbed the back of my hand.“But we are still in our working clothes, and you are still my boss,” I argued.He stopped abruptly, pulling me close till his lips were just a fraction away from my ears.“I'm not your boss outside here, Helena. Don't kill the fun,” he added and I gulped hard, nodding as he let go.“Let's go,” he suggested and walked ahead.I ling
HELENA’S POVI didn’t move.For a second, I just stood there, staring at him through the open window like my brain needed time to catch up with what my eyes were seeing.Maybe they did. Cause why in heaven's name will he be here.Of all people the universe had to send my way today, it had to be Barron.My fingers tightened slightly around the strap of my bag as the city noise seemed to dull behind me.“What are you doing here, sir?” I asked, my voice coming out more controlled than I expected.His gaze didn’t waver a bit. “Get in.”Just like that, more like a simple, direct command. Like it wasn’t strange. Like he hadn’t said what he said the last time we spoke.Something in my chest hardened instantly and I let out a quiet breath, taking a small step back instead.“No, sir. Thank you.”It came out sharper this time and his jaw ticked faintly, but he didn’t look surprised.“Helena—”“I’m sorry, sir,” I shook my head slightly, waving my hand his way. “I can get a cab.”“I know you can.
Helena’s POVI didn’t realize how exhausted I was until that moment.It wasn’t the kind of tiredness that sleep could fix. It sat deeper behind my eyes, in my chest, dragging every thought down with it. “Going somewhere?” He asked as he finally reached where I was standing.I stood there for a fra
Helena’s POVYou know the worst part? It wasn’t even loud!I mean, yeah, it sounded, but not enough to cause any tension.But in the quiet office, it felt like a fire alarm going off.Barron’s eyes lifted slowly from the tablet and for a brief second, I froze.What could possibly be so important ri
Helena's POV I could see it now. Could see what everyone was oozing about. It was everything and more worth being all so freaked out about.It was a stark contrast to what happened below and tripled my expectations.To say the executive level was something else would be an understatement.It was
Helena's POV I froze, turning to the screen of my system before I could do otherwise.Tessy's unceasing teases instantly became a thing of the past as I read the title of the message.AN INTERNAL MESSAGE.I frowned slightly before reaching out and tapping it open. Immediately it did open, the subj







