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Cassy told herself she was fine. That's what she always did. Because "fine" was easier than explaining. And tonight, she needed "easy."
—
But Caleb Garcia didn't believe in easy. Not when it came to things he noticed. And he noticed everything. Especially her silence. Especially the way she avoided eye contact the next morning. Especially the fact that she didn't smile when she said, "Good morning, sir."
—
"Cassy."
She looked up immediately. "Yes, Mr. Garcia?" Too formal. Too distant.
Caleb's jaw tightened slightly. "Come with me."
Cassy blinked. "Now?"
"Yes." No explanation again. Just command. But something about his tone made her hesitate for half a second longer than usual.
Then she stood. "…Understood."
—
The elevator ride felt heavier than normal. Cassy stood beside him, hands clasped. Caleb didn't speak. But his presence felt sharper today. Focused. Intentional.
—
When the doors opened, it wasn't the conference room. It was the private parking area.
Cassy frowned slightly. "Sir… where are we going?"
Caleb walked ahead. "Out."
She followed carefully. "Out where?"
He stopped near a black car. Then finally looked at her. "You didn't eat lunch yesterday."
Cassy froze slightly. "…I was busy."
"That wasn't my question." Silence. The air tightened.
—
Before she could respond, he opened the car door.
"Get in."
Cassy blinked. "What?"
"You're coming with me."
Her heart skipped slightly. "Where?"
Caleb looked at her directly. "…Somewhere you'll eat." That was it. No debate. No negotiation. Just decision.
—
Cassy stood frozen for a second. "This isn't necessary," she said softly.
"Yes, it is," he replied immediately. That quick answer startled her. Because it wasn't cold. It was final.
—
She hesitated. Then sighed softly. "…This is part of my working hours?"
Caleb paused. Then— "Yes."
Cassy blinked. "…Okay then." And she got in.
—
The drive was silent at first. But it wasn't uncomfortable silence. It was something else. Something… aware.
Cassy stared out the window.
Caleb kept his focus on the road. But his grip on the steering wheel tightened once. Then relaxed.
—
"You should speak up more," he said suddenly.
Cassy turned slightly. "About what?"
"Everything."
A pause. Then she smiled faintly. "I'm speaking right now."
That made him glance at her briefly. Just once.
—
"You weren't fine yesterday," he said.
Cassy looked away again. "I said I was."
"That wasn't true." Silence. Longer this time.
—
Cassy exhaled softly. "…Does it matter?" she asked quietly.
That made him go still. Just for a second. Then— "Yes," he said. Simple. Direct. No hesitation.
—
Cassy didn't respond right away. Because that answer wasn't what she expected. At all.
—
They arrived at a quiet restaurant by the bay. Elegant. Empty. Private. Too intentional.
Cassy stepped out slowly. "This feels like overkill," she muttered softly.
Caleb walked beside her. "Eat." That was his only response.
—
Inside, he didn't sit across from her. He sat beside her. Close. Too close again.
Cassy noticed. Of course she did. But she didn't move away.
—
"You don't take care of yourself," Caleb said.
Cassy sighed lightly. "You've said that before."
"And you ignored it before."
She smiled faintly. "And now?"
His eyes met hers. "…Now I won't let you."
Silence. That sentence lingered longer than anything else he had ever said to her.
—
Cassy blinked slightly. "That sounds like an order," she said softly.
Caleb didn't deny it. "It is."
But his voice wasn't sharp. Not controlling. Just… certain.
—
Cassy looked down at her food. Then quietly said: "You don't have to do this."
A pause. Then Caleb replied— "I know."
And that was what made it worse. Because he was doing it anyway.
—
For the rest of the meal, neither of them said much. But silence didn't feel empty anymore. It felt shared. And that was new. Dangerously new.
—
When they left, the sun was lower. Golden light reflecting off the water.
Cassy stood outside the car for a moment. "…Thank you," she said softly.
Caleb didn't look at her immediately. Then— "Eat properly next time," he said.
Cassy smiled slightly. "I will." A pause. Then she added gently: "…Only if you don't make it an order."
That made him stop. Just for a second. Then— "I'll think about it," he said.
—
And for Caleb Garcia… That was as close to compromise as he had ever come.