The office felt different the next morning not quieter not louder just… strained.
Like something had shifted slightly out of place, and no one quite knew how to set it back.
Elina stood in front of her mirror, her movements unhurried, almost thoughtful as she gathered her long coily hair into a neat bun she didn't rush it she simply let her hands do what they needed to do, smoothing it into place until it sat just right, revealing her face fully.
Her features looked softer this way..Clearer...
She reached for a simple lip gloss and applied it lightly, just enough to bring a natural sheen to her lips nothing too much nothing unnecessary her outfit was just as simple fitted grey corporate pants, slightly flared, falling cleanly along her legs. A soft blouse, structured but comfortable, resting easily against her skin. There was no effort to impress no need to stand out.
She looked at herself for a moment longer not with admiration not with doubt just… acceptance then she picked up her bag and left.
When she stepped into the office, she carried that same quiet energy with her calm... present...uncomplicated belonia noticed immediately. He always did she walked past his office without pause, without hesitation, without that subtle tension that used to follow her steps. There was no avoidance but there was no pull either.
"Elina."
She stopped.
Turned.
"Yes, sir?"
Her voice was steady respectful nothing more."Come in."
She stepped inside and closed the door gently behind her."Have a seat."
"I'm okay standing," she said softly.
His gaze lingered on her for a moment.
The bun.
The simplicity.
The quiet stillness in her presence.
"I wasn't asking."
There was no edge in his voice, but it carried enough weight.
She paused, then took the seat.
Silence settled between them.
Not sharp.
Not heavy.
Just there.
"You've been avoiding me," he said.
Elina met his gaze calmly. "I'very been working "
"That's not what I said."
A small breath left her. "Then maybe it's just how it seems."
He studied her, like he was trying to find something that wasn't showing.
"Is that what last night was?" he asked. "Just something that seemed a certain way?"
There was a brief flicker in her eyes.
Soft.
Gone quickly.
"It was a dinner, sir."
The word again.
"Stop calling me that."
His voice was firmer now.
She blinked once, then nodded slightly. "Alright."
A small shift.
But she didn't replace it with anything else.
"And what were we outside of this?" he asked.
The question lingered quietly between them.
Elina looked at him for a moment, then lowered her gaze slightly, not in submission, but in thought.
"I don't think that matters," she said gently.
"It does."
She shook her head faintly. "Maybe not in the way you think."
Something in that answer unsettled him.
"You don't get to decide that," he said.
"And you don't get to make it unclear," she replied, her voice still soft, still even. "One moment there's distance, the next moment there isn't."
She paused, choosing her words carefully.
"It's… confusing."
He didn't respond immediately.
"You remind me why I should keep things simple," she added quietly.
Not sharp.
Not accusing.
Just honest.
That silence returned.
But this time, it felt different.
A knock broke through.
The door opened slightly, and Clara stepped in, composed as ever.
"I hope I'm not interrupting."
Elina stood.
"Not at all," she said. "I was just leaving."
She didn't rush.
Didn't hesitate.
She simply walked out.
And didn't look back.
Belonia watched the door for a moment longer than necessary.
Clara noticed.
"You seem distracted," she said, stepping closer.
"I'm not."
She tilted her head slightly, studying him. "You don't sound convinced."
He didn't answer.
Clara moved closer, her presence deliberate but gentle this time.
"You don't always have to hold everything so tightly," she murmured.
"I'm fine."
She reached up and adjusted his tie slowly, her fingers careful, lingering just a moment.
"Then you should look like it," she said softly.
He didn't stop her.
And that silence between them said more than words could.
Outside, Elina walked back to her desk, her steps steady.
She didn't rush.
Didn't avoid anyone.
She simply moved through the space like she belonged there.
When she finally stepped into the restroom, she closed the door behind her quietly.
She stood in front of the mirror again.
The same reflection.
The same calm.
But this time, her eyes softened slightly.
"What are you doing…" she whispered.
Not in frustration.
Not in fear.
Just… trying to understand herself.
She knew one thing, though.
She needed peace.
And if keeping her distance was the way to find it—
Then that's what she would do even if it'll hurt her....