101: Cafeteria Interrogation

Vorian's POV The cafeteria is half full and louder than usual. Trays clatter and someone laughs too hard at a corner table. I sit with Zephyr and Silas near the window, there are plates in front of us, the first real quiet lunch we have had in days. For once no one is talking about stocks, leaks, or board votes.That peace lasts about four minutes.A woman from HR walks over with a smile that is already too familiar. I recognize her vaguely; recruitment side, always at the welcome sessions for new hires. She stops directly beside Silas and angles her body toward him like the rest of the table does not exist.“Silas,” she says, voice bright. “I was hoping I would run into you. You disappeared so fast after the leadership briefing last week.”Silas looks up, polite but already cautious. “Busy week.”“You should let someone take you out for coffee so you can actually breathe,” she continues. “I know a place two streets down. Quiet. Good music. My treat.”Zephyr glances at me. I keep my

102: Dinner Table

Zephyr's POV The day went by quickly, Vorian and I leave the company building after bidding goodbye to Silas. We walk to the garage. I get into Vorian's car since he say he will drive me home today.Vorian parks outside my parents’ house and turns off the engine. For a moment neither of us moves. The street is quiet. Light from the living room window spills onto the front steps.“Are you sure about this?” I ask.“You invited me,” he answers.“I said you could drop me off. You decided to come inside.”He looks at me. “I can leave.”“No,” I say. “Come in.”We walk up the path together. I unlock the door and step in first. The smell of my mother’s cooking hits me immediately; pepper soup, rice, something fried. My father is in the living room. My mother calls from the kitchen.“Zephyr? You are back home early.”“I brought someone,” I call back.That brings both of them into the hallway. My father stops first. My mother follows and wipes her hands on a towel. They both recognize him at t

103: Launch Line

Vorian's POV I step into the elevator with Zephyr beside me. When we reach the executive floor, it dings and the doors of the elevator open.I am still reviewing the overnight market summary when Silas walks into the executive hallway with a folder under his arm and three department heads trailing behind him. I recognize them as the heads of Marketing, PR and the Legal team. Silas finishes a sentence to them without slowing down, gives a final instruction, and dismisses them with a short nod. They scatter in different directions, only then does he look up and see Zephyr and me stepping out of the elevator.He checks his watch, then looks at us again.“You two are just getting in?” he asks.“Yes,” I answer.Silas turns to Zephyr. “I know you two are in love, but do not let Vorian corrupt you with lateness.”Zephyr opens his mouth, then closes it again, caught between amusement and defense. I speak before he has to.“I have never been late,” I say. “We are not late now. You are the o

All Chapters of Bound By The Desk : Chapter 101 - Chapter 103

101: Cafeteria Interrogation

102: Dinner Table

103: Launch Line