🖤
Cassy started the day with a mistake. Not in her work. In her thoughts. Because the moment she stepped into Garcia Enterprises, she looked for him. And she hated herself for it.
—
Caleb was already in his office. Of course he was. But something felt different the moment she saw him through the glass walls. He wasn't moving as much. Wasn't as sharp. Just… still. Like he was waiting for something. Or someone.
—
"Morning," Adrian greeted casually.
Cassy blinked and forced a small smile. "Good morning."
Adrian studied her for a second. "You look tired."
"I'm fine," she replied automatically.
He sighed. "That word is starting to sound suspicious coming from you."
Cassy didn't answer. Because she knew why she was tired. And it wasn't work.
—
"Miss Williams."
Cassy looked up immediately. "Yes, sir?"
Caleb stood at her desk. Close again. Too close again. But this time… it felt different. Like he had chosen to be there. Not because of work.
—
"Bring the financial audit report," he said.
Cassy nodded. "Yes, I already prepared it." Of course she did.
He didn't respond. Just watched her for a second longer than necessary. Then turned away.
—
But something felt wrong. Because he didn't go back to his office immediately. He stayed near her desk. Just… standing there. Like he was thinking. Or waiting.
—
Cassy hesitated before speaking. "…Is everything alright?" she asked softly.
That made him pause. Slowly, he turned. "Yes," he said.
But it didn't sound like yes. It sounded like control.
—
Cassy frowned slightly. "You don't seem—"
"Cassy."
Her name cut through her sentence. Not sharp. Not cold. Just enough to stop her.
She froze slightly. "Yes?"
A beat. Then— "Come with me."
—
The elevator ride felt heavier than usual. Neither of them spoke. But this silence wasn't empty. It was full. Of everything unsaid.
—
When the doors opened, it wasn't the usual office floor. It was the rooftop access.
Cassy blinked. "Sir…?"
Caleb walked ahead. "Just follow."
So she did.
—
The rooftop was quiet. Wind brushing gently against them. The city stretched endlessly below. But Caleb wasn't looking at the view. He was looking at her.
—
"You've been different," he said finally.
Cassy hesitated. "Me?"
"Yes." A pause. Then softer— "And I don't like not understanding why."
That honesty again. Straight. Unfiltered. Dangerous.
—
Cassy looked at him carefully. "You brought me here to ask that?"
Caleb didn't deny it. That was the answer.
—
She took a small breath. "…Maybe you're overthinking it," she said gently.
His eyes narrowed slightly. "I don't overthink."
That almost made her smile. Almost.
—
Instead, she stepped a little closer to the railing. "The truth is," she said quietly, "nothing really changed."
Caleb studied her. "Then why does it feel like it did?"
Silence.
—
Cassy turned slightly toward him. That question lingered between them. And for once… she didn't have a quick answer. Because something had changed. She just didn't know when.
—
"I think," she said slowly, "we're just noticing things we used to ignore."
Caleb didn't respond immediately. Then— "I don't ignore things," he said.
Cassy looked at him. "You did with me," she replied softly.
That made him stop. Completely.
—
A long silence followed. Then Caleb stepped closer. Not fast. Not aggressive. Just controlled. Intentional.
—
"I didn't ignore you," he said quietly. A pause. Then— "I just didn't… notice you like this." That sentence changed the air instantly.
—
Cassy's breath caught slightly. "…Like what?" she asked softly.
Caleb didn't answer right away. His gaze held hers. Long. Unbroken. Too honest now.
—
Then finally— "Like you matter when you're not speaking," he said.
Silence. Everything stopped. Even the wind felt distant.
—
Cassy didn't move. Neither did he. Because something had just crossed a line neither of them could unsee. Not loud. Not dramatic. Just real.
—
Cassy looked away first. "…We should go back," she said softly.
Caleb didn't stop her. But he didn't move immediately either.
—
As they returned inside, nothing was said. But everything had already shifted.
Because now— It wasn't about noticing anymore. It was about admitting it.
And neither of them was ready for that yet.