Affection arrived quietly, disguising itself as routine.
Adrian learned how Elara took her coffee. Elara noticed he stayed late to fix problems that weren't his responsibility. They exchanged looks across meeting rooms, shared brief smiles that carried more meaning than necessary.
When Adrian traveled, Elara felt the absence sharply. She dismissed it as disruption of routine, but the excuse rang hollow.
One evening on the balcony, the city stretched beneath them in glittering silence.
"Do you ever feel like something is happening," Adrian asked, "without permission?"
Elara met his gaze. "Yes."
They didn't name it. Naming it would require courage neither was ready to claim.