Staring at the tiny piece of paper for the hundredth time that night, I asked myself over and over.
Be careful.
Who had written it? How did it end up in my pocket? And what did they mean? What did I do?
I didn't sleep a wink.
By morning, I was running late. I didn't eat, and my hair was a mess. Cassie was already gone by the time I got up from the bed. The city felt louder and busier than usual. Car horns, people yelling, music blasting from everywhere and everything. When I got to the Knight Group building, I nodded at the receptionist. She didn't respond. No surprise. I was getting used to it.
At my desk, I started my work for the day, read through Mr. Knights schedule, organized his folders and double-checked the meeting time for the day. My fingers still trembled a bit. They had been trembling since yesterday.
I hadn't seen him yet. His office door was shut.
I sat on my chair, trying to focus, when his voice came through the speaker.
"Miss Hart. Come in."
Inside, he stood by the window, hands in his pockets, staring out at the city.
"You're late today."
"I know. I'm sorry."
He didn't turn around. "Be early next time."
I nodded, even though he couldn't see me.
"There's a 10 a.m. meeting with legal. Move it to noon."
"Yes, sir."
Still, he didn't move. He was wearing a plain white shirt, sleeves rolled up and no tie. His black hair looked freshly cut, he looked sharp.
"You seem… distracted," he said suddenly.
How does he know?
I froze for a few seconds. "I'm fine," I finally blurted out.
He turned around, finally meeting my eyes. "Are you?"
I looked down. "Yes, sir"
He stared at me for another moment. "That will be all for now."
I stepped out of his office, my heart pounding like it was going to burst out of my chest. He always made me feel that way.
Why did he make me so scared?
An hour later, while I was typing up a report, Jeremiah appeared at my desk again.
"Good morning, Amara, he said with that scary sweet smile.
"Good morning, Mr. Jones."
"Call me Jeremiah."
I nodded politely.
He glanced at the closed office door behind me. "How is Elan treating you?"
"Well," I replied quickly. "Although he's a bit direct."
"He can be cold," Jeremiah said, resting a hand on the edge of my desk. "But don't let that scare you."
"I'm not scared," I lied.
"Good. Because he doesn't trust easily. You'll need to earn it."
I forced a smile. "I'll do my best."
He looked like he was about to say something else, but instead, he gave me a nod and walked away.
It was lunch time and I walked to the cafeteria to eat. I sat alone at the seat closest to the window, picking at a lukewarm pasta bowl that tasted as bland as my mood.
Cassie hadn't answered my texts, and I had already checked the PR floor twice. I needed to see her. I needed a hug at least. She was either neck-deep in crisis control or avoiding the cafeteria altogether, neither option surprised me.
The room buzzed with low chatter and clinking cutlery, but I barely heard it. My eyes drifted to the elevators for the third time in five minutes.
I told myself I wasn't looking for anyone. That I just wanted to see a familiar face. But deep down, I knew who I was hoping to spot.
Trevor Jones.
With his easy smile, rolled-up sleeves, and the kind of charm that made women lean in a little too close.
I caught myself and shook my head.
This was so stupid.
I was here for a job, not to develop a crush on my boss' brother.
Still, when the elevator doors opened again, I glanced up, a little too quickly. At this point it was getting obvious.
And when it wasn't Trevor, I sighed, stabbed a tomato on my bowl and told myself to get a grip.
After lunch, I took a short break and went to Cassie's office, only to find it empty, again. I leaned on her unorganized desk and closed my eyes for a moment.
"You look like someone who's just seen a ghost."
I jumped.
Trevor stood in the doorway, holding a cup of coffee.
"Sorry," I said, embarrassed.
"Rough day?"
"Just… a long one."
He walked in and handed me the coffee. "You looked like you needed this."
I hesitated a bit before taking it. "Thanks."
He leaned against Cassie's shelf. "You should get used to it. This place eats people alive."
"How comforting." I replied, sarcastically.
He laughed. "You'll be fine. As long as you don't let Elan get to you."
I tilted my head. "Why does everyone keep saying that?"
Trevor gave a half-shrug. "He's complicated. He has always been."
"Good thing I'm not here to understand him. Just to do my job."
"Still. Be careful."
Those words again. Did he write the note?
"Why?" I asked.
He looked at me for a moment, like he was deciding something.
Then he smiled. "Forget I said anything."
He walked out, leaving me more confused and scared than before.
Back at my desk, I continued my work. I became thirsty after a few minutes and got up to get some water. I was about to get up when Elan's voice came through the speaker.
"Miss Hart."
I stood and walked in.
Immediately I entered the office, my eyes shot to his bookshelf and I noticed something that wasn't there before. Or maybe I just hadn't noticed it.
A photo frame on Elan's bookshelf. Two kids. A boy and a girl. The girl had brown hair and a wide smile.
"Has this always been here?" I asked myself.
The boy… he looked like a younger Elan.
I stared at it, my mind buzzing.