In the days that followed, something subtle began to change.
Adrian found his attention drifting toward Elara more often than he intended. She moved quietly through the office, efficient and graceful, always one step ahead of what he needed. She anticipated his requests before he spoke, refilled his coffee the exact way he liked, and organized his documents in a system that felt oddly familiar.
It unsettled him, not because she was too good at her job, but because everything about her felt like a memory half-buried under fog.
One morning, she entered his office carrying a stack of reports. Her scent and the soft rhythm of her breathing, something about it stirred recognition deep in his chest.
"Your presentation slides for the board meeting," she said, setting the papers down.
He nodded, though his gaze lingered. "You always remember the small details," he said.
Elara smiled faintly. "It's my job to make things easier for you, Mr. Vale."
Her tone was polite with her eyes softened. Later that afternoon, during a short break between meetings, he found himself standing by the window, absently tracing the condensation on his glass of water.
Behind him, Elara's voice floated through the quiet. "Would you like another coffee?"
He turned slightly toward the sound. The way she spoke tugged at him again.
"Have we met before?" he asked suddenly.
Elara froze. The world seemed to stop for a moment. "Pardon?"
He frowned slightly, as if testing the thought. "I don't know. You seem… familiar."
Her heart thudded painfully. She forced a small, steady smile. "Maybe I just remind you of someone, sir."
"Maybe," he said, though his tone suggested he wasn't convinced.
When she left the room, Adrian sat down at his desk, the feeling still nagging at him. There was something about her, not just her voice, but the quiet way she moved, the calm she brought into the room.
He couldn't explain it, but whenever she was near, the emptiness he had lived with for years didn't feel quite so heavy.
And for the first time in a long while, Adrian Vale found himself looking forward to coming into the office each morning.
*****
At lunch that day, Elara went to the cafeteria instead of eating at her desk. She had just picked up her meal when a familiar voice called from behind her.
"Elara?"
She turned, startled and then smiled when she saw him. "Rowen."
He grinned, carrying his tray. "It really is you. I was starting to think I imagined seeing your name in the system."
They found a quiet corner table, away from the noise. Rowen looked at her for a moment, his expression softening. "How are you holding up?"
"I'm fine," Elara said softly. "Busy. Adjusting."
He chuckled. "Same here. Though I've got a few new developments at home."
"Oh?" she asked, curious.
A proud smile spread across his face. "Emi and I have a baby. A little girl."
Elara's eyes widened. "You're serious? Congratulations! I didn't know—"
Rowen rubbed the back of his neck, looking sheepish. "I know. I'm sorry, I should've told you. Everything happened so fast, late nights, diapers, crying at 3 a.m. I barely remember what sleep feels like."
Elara laughed softly. "That's wonderful news, Rowen. I'm really happy for you both."
"Thanks," he said warmly. "We're actually having a small gathering next weekend, just family and close friends to celebrate her 100 days. You should come."
"Me?" she said, surprised.
"Of course," Rowen said. "You're part of that circle, whether you think so or not."
Her heart softened. "All right," she said with a small smile. "I'd love to meet her."
Rowen nodded, pleased. Then his tone shifted, gentler. "You know, seeing you here again feels… right. I don't know how to explain it."
Elara tilted her head slightly. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, Adrian's been different since you came back," he said. "He's still sharp, still demanding, but not as cold. Everyone notices. You might be the reason why."
Her smile faded. "He doesn't know who I am, Rowen. To him, I'm just another assistant."
"Maybe. But something in him remembers," Rowen said, leaning forward. "He might not understand why, but you're familiar to him. That's enough to stir something."
Elara hesitated, then confessed quietly, "He asked me earlier if we'd met before."
Rowen raised his brows. "Really?"
She nodded. "I told him maybe I just reminded him of someone."
Rowen grew thoughtful. "That could mean his memory's starting to return, even if it's just fragments. Since you're back, maybe his mind's slowly piecing things together."
Elara's voice dropped to a whisper. "And if it does come back?"
Rowen met her eyes, his expression steady but kind. "Then you'll have to face it. But maybe it's not something to fear. Maybe it's a second chance."
She smiled faintly, though her heart trembled. "Or maybe it'll only hurt him again."
Rowen gave a faint smile. "You won't know unless you let it happen. But one thing's for sure, since you came back, he hasn't been the same. Maybe that means something."
*****
That afternoon, Elara entered Adrian's office with a stack of reports. He reached for the top page, but the moment he pulled it toward him, he drew in a sharp breath.
He lowered his hand. A thin line of red appeared across his thumb.
"A paper cut," he said quietly.
Before he could move, Elara stepped forward. "Let me see."
She took his hand gently, her touch warm and careful. The contact made him pause.
"It is bleeding. Come with me," she said.
She guided him toward the pantry at the end of the hall. He followed without a word. Inside, it was quieter, the hum of the refrigerator filling the small space.
"Give me your hand," she said softly.
He did. She turned on the tap and held his hand under the cool water. She stood close to him, her shoulder brushing his arm. His breath changed without him noticing.
Her scent wrapped around him.Again, it was familar in a way that made his chest tighten.
"You are good at this," he murmured.
"I have some experience," she said, her voice calm but a little unsteady.
She reached for a tissue and gently dried his hand. Her touch was feather-light, brushing over his skin. Then she opened the first-aid box and bent nearer to apply a small bandage to his thumb.
Her fingers grazed the inside of his palm. He stilled, his heartbeat suddenly louder in his ears.
When she looked up, their faces were close. Her eyes held a warmth he could not explain. Something tightened in his chest.
"Elara," he said slowly, "why do your hands feel familiar to me?"
Her breath caught. "Everyone has similar hands when bandaging someone."
"That is not what I meant."
She stepped back quickly. "It is just part of my work, Mr. Vale."
The title created distance at once. He felt it like a door closing between them.
She placed the first-aid box back in its place.
"Please let me know if you need anything else. I will be at my desk," she said gently.
Adrian watched her leave, the small bandage warm against his skin. He lifted his hand and traced the edge of it with his other thumb, trying to understand why the memory of her touch stirred something so deep, something that refused to fade.