The message came just before noon.
"Mr. Kingston would like to see you."
I stared at the words for a second too long.
Me?
My heart picked up speed.
Fast.
Too fast.
"Jessy?" Nina called softly.
I looked up.
"They said… the CEO wants to see me."
Her eyes widened.
"Okay… don't panic."
"I'm not panicking."
"You look like you are."
"I'm just… thinking."
She leaned closer.
"Just go. And don't let him intimidate you."
I nodded.
Even though my hands felt slightly cold.
The elevator ride felt longer than usual.
Quieter.
Heavier.
Every second stretched.
Until—
The doors opened.
Top floor.
Everything up there felt different.
More silent.
More controlled.
More powerful.
His assistant looked up as I approached.
"He's expecting you."
Of course he was.
"Go in."
I took a small breath.
Then knocked.
"Come in."
His voice.
Calm.
Low.
Steady.
I opened the door.
And stepped into his world.
The office was… exactly what you'd expect.
Minimal.
Sharp.
Elegant.
Everything in place.
Everything intentional.
Just like him.
Elias stood near the window.
Back turned.
Hands in his pockets.
Looking out over the city.
For a moment…
He didn't turn.
And I didn't speak.
"Close the door," he said.
I did.
Softly.
Then he turned.
And his eyes found mine instantly.
No hesitation.
No distraction.
Just focus.
"Sit."
I obeyed.
Carefully.
Trying to stay calm.
Trying to breathe normally.
He didn't sit immediately.
Instead, he walked slowly toward the desk.
Then stopped.
Close enough to feel his presence.
Not close enough to feel safe.
"You almost lost your job yesterday," he said.
Straight to the point.
No softening.
"I know," I replied quietly.
"And today, you nearly lost it again."
I looked up.
"I didn't—"
"You're pushing your body past its limit," he cut in calmly.
Not angry.
Not harsh.
But certain.
Silence.
I didn't know what to say.
Because he wasn't wrong.
"Why?" he asked.
One word.
Heavy.
Direct.
I swallowed.
"I need this job."
"You said that yesterday."
"Yes."
"That's not an answer."
His eyes didn't leave mine.
And for some reason…
It felt like he wasn't just asking about work.
I hesitated.
Just for a second.
Then—
"I don't have a choice," I said.
Honest.
Simple.
Real.
Something in his expression shifted.
Slightly.
Barely noticeable.
But it did.
"Everyone has a choice," he said.
"Not always," I replied quietly.
Silence again.
But this time…
It felt different.
Less like pressure.
More like understanding trying to form.
Before anything else could be said—
A sudden noise broke the moment.
Voices.
Raised.
Loud.
From outside.
Elias's expression changed instantly.
Sharp.
Focused.
"What is that?"
His assistant rushed in.
"Sir, there's a situation downstairs—"
"What kind of situation?"
"A visitor… causing disruption."
Downstairs…
Vanessa stood at the center of attention.
Again.
But this time…
Not on campus.
At Kingston Group.
"I said I want to see her," she snapped.
"This is a workplace, not a playground," security responded firmly.
"Good. Then act like it and call your employee."
Her tone was sharp.
Entitled.
Demanding.
People were watching.
Whispering.
Again.
"Jessy," she said louder. "I know you're here."
Upstairs…
Elias didn't hesitate.
"Stay here," he said.
And walked out.
But I didn't stay.
I couldn't.
By the time I reached downstairs…
The scene was already heated.
Vanessa stood there like she owned the place.
Dressed perfectly.
Looking untouched.
Unbothered.
Then her eyes landed on me.
And she smiled.
Slowly.
"Oh… there you are."
"Vanessa," I said calmly.
Even though my chest tightened.
She stepped closer.
Looking me up and down again.
"That uniform suits you," she said lightly. "Very… fitting."
The insult was quiet.
But clear.
"What do you want?" I asked.
Straight.
No fear.
"I just came to see how you're doing," she replied sweetly.
Fake.
Very fake.
Then she leaned in slightly.
"You move fast," she whispered. "From one man to another… impressive."
Before I could respond—
Another voice cut in.
Cold.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
"That's enough."
Elias.
The entire atmosphere shifted instantly.
Vanessa turned.
And for the first time…
She paused.
"This is a private company," Elias said calmly. "Not a place for personal drama."
Vanessa straightened slightly.
Trying to recover.
"I was just—"
"You're leaving."
Not loud.
But final.
Silence.
She forced a small smile.
"Of course."
But her eyes flicked to me again.
Sharp.
Promising something.
This wasn't over.
And then—
Another presence entered.
Cypher.
His steps slowed as he took in the scene.
Me.
Standing there.
In uniform.
Inside Kingston Group.
Shock hit him instantly.
"You work here?" he asked.
Before he could stop himself.
I didn't answer.
Didn't move.
Didn't react.
But Elias did.
His gaze shifted.
From me.
To him.
Measuring.
Analyzing.
"Is there a problem?" Elias asked.
Calm.
But loaded.
Cypher straightened slightly.
Composing himself.
"No."
But his eyes were still on me.
Trying to understand.
Trying to process.
Vanessa moved quickly to his side.
Linking her arm through his.
Claiming her place.
"We were just leaving," she said smoothly.
Cypher didn't move immediately.
His gaze lingered.
On me.
Longer than it should have.
But I didn't look back.
Not this time.
Finally…
He turned.
And walked away with her.
And just like that…
Everything shifted.
Again.
Because now—
They knew.
Where I was.
Who I was becoming.
And more importantly…
That I was no longer within their reach.
Elias's gaze returned to me.
Sharp.
Thoughtful.
Different.
Because now…
This wasn't just curiosity anymore.
This was something deeper.