(Elara POV)
The pantry is louder than I expect.
Someone is laughing near the sink, two people are arguing quietly about whose turn it is to refill the machine, and I end up standing closer to the counter than I usually would, waiting for my coffee and trying not to think about anything else.
"Hey," a voice says beside me. "You survived the morning."
I turn and recognize Daniel from Compliance. We've spoken a few times before, usually when we've both been waiting on the elevator or standing around after meetings that ran too long.
"Barely," I admit. "It's one of those days."
He nods like that makes sense. "Those seem to be happening more often."
The machine makes a noise that sounds vaguely threatening. I watch it like it might explode.
"I don't think I've ever seen you not working," he says, half-smiling. "Do you ever take actual breaks?"
"Sometimes," I reply, though I'm not sure that's true. "When I remember."
He chuckles and leans back against the counter, giving me space. "That's probably healthier than pretending you'll slow down later."
I smile a little at that, more out of politeness than anything else. The conversation is easy in the way small talk is easy—light, forgettable, not asking for anything.
"You assist Alex Hale, right?" he asks, glancing down the corridor.
"Yes," I say. "That's my role."
"That explains it," he says. "Everyone on his floor looks like they're running on borrowed time."
I don't know how to respond, so I focus on picking up my cup when the machine finally finishes.
"You should come down to the café sometime," Daniel adds. "It's quieter. Less… this."
I nod, already half-thinking about heading back to my desk.
"Elara."
Alex's voice cuts through the room.
I turn immediately.
He's standing a few steps away, not rushed, not visibly irritated, just there in a way that draws attention without effort. His gaze moves to me and stays there.
"We need to talk for a minute," he says.
It's said evenly, like any other work instruction.
"Of course," I reply, already stepping away from the counter.
Daniel straightens. "Sorry I didn't realize.."
Alex doesn't look at him. "That's fine."
The dismissal is polite enough, but it closes the conversation completely. I don't even have the chance to say goodbye before Alex is already moving down the hall, and I'm following him out of instinct more than choice.
We stop near his office. He doesn't go inside. He just turns slightly, angling his body so the corridor behind me is blocked without making it obvious.
"I'll need you upstairs for the rest of the afternoon," he says. "There are a few things I want you close for."
"Yes," I say. "I can do that."
He studies me for a moment, longer than necessary, then nods.
"Finish your coffee first," he adds, quieter. "No rush."
I hesitate, then lift the cup slightly. "Thank you."
He doesn't respond to that. Just steps aside so I can pass into his office.
The rest of the afternoon settles into a rhythm that feels familiar enough to be comforting.
Alex moves in and out of his office, taking calls, reviewing documents, occasionally stopping by my desk to ask for clarification on something small. Nothing unusual. Nothing that draws attention.
Around three, Daniel passes by again. This time he doesn't stop, just offers a brief smile in my direction as he heads toward the elevators.
I return it without thinking.
Alex notices.
I realize that because his question trails off mid-sentence.
"Did you update the—" he starts, then pauses, his gaze following Daniel's retreating figure for just a moment before coming back to me.
"Yes," I say, answering the question he didn't finish. "I sent the revised file an hour ago."
He nods, but his attention doesn't fully return to the screen in his hand.
"From now on," he says instead, "I want you copying me on all cross-department communication."
I blink. "All of it?"
"Yes."
I hesitate, then nod. "Alright."
It's unnecessary. We both know it.
He turns away before I can ask anything else.
A few minutes later, my inbox pings.
Alex Hale added to thread: Compliance — Q3 Review
I stare at the screen for a second longer than I should.
Daniel's name is right there in the recipient list.
I don't say anything.
I just forward the next message as instructed and return to my work, trying not to think about why my heart is suddenly beating faster.
Later, when I step out to refill my water bottle, Alex follows.
Not obviously but Just close enough that when Daniel reappears near the printer and starts toward us, Alex is already beside me.
"Elara," he says, reaching for the bottle before I can. "I need you back upstairs."
"I was just—"
"I know," he says calmly, already handing it back to me. "It can wait."
Daniel slows, then stops altogether.
"Oh," he says. "Sorry. I didn't realize you were in the middle of something."
Alex offers a polite nod. "We are."
Daniel murmurs something agreeable and moves on.
I follow Alex back toward his office, my steps a little slower than his.
Once inside, he gestures toward my desk. "Go ahead."
I sit, open my laptop, and stare at the screen without processing anything for a moment.
He just resumes his work as if nothing unusual has happened.
But something has.
Because later, when my phone lights up with a message from Compliance, Alex is already looking at my screen.
"You can respond," he says, not unkindly. "Just keep it brief."
"Yes," I reply.
I do exactly that.
When the day finally ends, I pack up quietly, careful not to draw attention to myself.
As I pass his office, Alex looks up.
"You did well today," he says.
The comment feels oddly weighted.
"Thank you," I reply.
He watches me for a moment longer than necessary, then nods once and looks back down.