It started with distance.
Not from him.
From me.
The next morning, I made a decision.
Clear.
Necessary.
Painful.
I would stop this.
Whatever this was.
Before it became something I couldn't control.
"Morning, Jessy!"
Riley waved.
"You look serious," Starlet added.
"I'm just focused," I said.
But that wasn't the truth.
Because the moment I stepped into the office…
I felt him.
Elias.
Even without looking…
I knew.
"Jessy."
There it was.
I turned.
Professional.
Composed.
"Yes, sir?"
That word again.
Sir.
His expression changed slightly.
Just a flicker.
"Meeting in ten minutes," he said.
"I'll be there."
No extra words.
No lingering.
And just like that…
I walked past him.
For the first time—
I was the one creating distance.
The meeting room felt colder than usual.
Or maybe…
It was just us.
"Your report," he said.
I handed it over without meeting his eyes.
He noticed.
Of course he did.
"You've improved," he said after a moment.
"Thank you."
Short.
Formal.
Silence stretched.
"Is there something wrong?" he asked.
"No."
"Jessy."
"I said no, sir."
That did it.
His jaw tightened slightly.
But he didn't push.
Not there.
Not in front of others.
That night…
We were alone again.
Of course we were.
Deadlines.
Work.
Excuses.
"You're avoiding me."
I didn't look up.
"I'm working."
"That's not what I meant."
Silence.
"Look at me."
I shouldn't have.
But I did.
And that was the mistake.
Because the moment our eyes met…
Everything came rushing back.
The rooftop.
His voice.
His hand.
"Why are you doing this?" he asked.
"Doing what?"
"This," he said, stepping closer.
"Acting like nothing happened."
"Because nothing did."
A lie.
And we both knew it.
He moved closer.
Slow.
Deliberate.
"Say that again," he said quietly.
My heart started racing.
"Nothing happened."
Closer.
"Then why can't you even look at me properly?"
I swallowed.
"Because I don't want to make a mistake."
That stopped him.
For a second.
Then—
"You think I'm a mistake?"
"No," I said quickly.
"Then what?"
Silence.
Because the truth?
Was dangerous.
"This can't go anywhere," I whispered.
"And you know it."
He didn't step back.
"And if I don't care?" he asked.
My breath caught.
"You should."
"Why?"
"Because I do."
That landed.
Hard.
For both of us.
Silence filled the space between us.
Thick.
Heavy.
Then—
He reached for me.
Not fast.
Not aggressive.
Careful.
His hand brushed mine.
Electric.
My breath hitched.
"Jessy…"
My name again.
Soft.
Dangerous.
And before I could think—
I didn't pull away.
That was the problem.
Because in the next second…
He was closer.
Too close.
My heart pounded.
My mind screamed.
But my body—
Didn't move.
His hand tightened slightly around mine.
And then—
His other hand lifted.
Gently.
Like he was about to—
"Sir—!"
The door burst open.
We both pulled apart instantly.
Reality crashing back.
"Sorry, I didn't know—"
"It's fine," Elias said quickly.
Too quickly.
The moment was gone.
But the feeling?
Still there.
Burning.
Later that night…
Everything changed.
It started with a headache.
Then dizziness.
Then—
Darkness.
"Jessy!"
Voices.
Far away.
"Call someone!"
"Move back!"
Everything felt heavy.
Then—
His voice.
"Jessy, stay with me."
Elias.
Strong.
Urgent.
Not controlled anymore.
I tried to speak.
But nothing came out.
"I'm here," he said.
His hand held mine again.
Tighter this time.
"Don't do this," he muttered under his breath.
And for the first time…
I heard fear in his voice.
Hospital.
White lights.
Silence.
When I opened my eyes…
He was there.
Sitting beside me.
Still.
"You're awake."
Relief.
Clear.
Undeniable.
"I'm fine," I whispered.
"No, you're not."
His tone—
Sharp.
Emotional.
"You collapsed."
"I'm okay now."
"You're pregnant and overworking yourself," he said.
"Do you even understand what you're doing?"
That stung.
"I don't have a choice."
"You do."
"No, I don't."
Silence.
Then—
"You're not alone," he said.
That again.
"I have to be," I replied softly.
Because if I wasn't…
This would get worse.
"This—" I gestured weakly between us
"—is exactly why."
His expression shifted.
"You think I'm the problem?"
"I think you make it harder," I said honestly.
That hurt him.
I saw it.
Good.
Because I needed distance.
"I can't afford feelings," I continued.
"Not now. Not like this."
Silence.
Then—
"Understood," he said.
Cold.
Controlled again.
But this time…
It felt forced.
Outside the hospital…
Another storm was forming.
Cypher.
"What happened to her?" he demanded.
Elias stepped outside.
Closing the door behind him.
"That's none of your concern."
Cypher scoffed.
"She's my—"
"Don't," Elias cut in.
The tension shifted instantly.
"You don't get to claim anything," Elias continued.
"Not after what you did."
Cypher stepped closer.
Anger rising.
"And what is she to you?" he shot back.
Silence.
Dangerous silence.
Because Elias didn't answer immediately.
And that…
Said everything.
Cypher laughed bitterly.
"I knew it."
"You know nothing," Elias replied calmly.
"Stay away from her."
That was it.
The line.
Cypher's jaw tightened.
"You're crossing a line."
Elias stepped closer.
Unshaken.
"I already did."
And just like that…
War wasn't coming.
It had started.