ck sharp, the

ie catching the first stretch of morning light

ightened i

mornin

nod. Not

his office, already scro

owed, tabl

r twelve," she began, her voice steady. "

ffe

rd cut throug

s,

ation. Her hands were precise, measured-she had alrea

s voice droppe

e said, glancin

d the revised dr

oftly and reach

l moment-just a

ngers

up ti

h

as

the polished floor, coffee

n fr

jumped in

O

instinctively, he

pped mid

le

, he t

crossed

in. His lips parted like he might say something, but nothing came. The expression lingered

the broken pieces...

hard, heat risin

sorry,

call without

lowered fr

pa

, ca

ave

ed, unsur

epeated, his tone even.

more q

the cl

d quickly.

lmost bumping into the edge of

were still

s had been cleared, she stoo

ime, s

re

sur

-the pour, the steam, the

she whispered u

she placed the cup

coffee

rs brushed-

stilled for h

took t

er than necessary before he looked

ook

eld her

h

all

," he

rs eased, j

e lear

ief slipped

k you

ing toward the window, the city str

akes this company d

itated. "

is head, st

lo

nowing when to stop... b

ed a file

gers brushing hers

ng-just a pa

len fe

he withdrew it, her fingers closing lightly

e could feel her legs grow unsteady beneath her-

he file wit

t slowed, j

document before he adjusted his

eep him wait

sounded

for his jacket as he s

ok at once, rising from

m the drive

th

own the corridor. A quick call, a brief instruction-clear and direct. By the

is read

gle nod and o

ployees stepping aside, a few quiet greetings exchang

, the car was a

ped out, openin

d slightly.

lacing her folder neatly on her lap. He followed, t

ffice," Cole

er replied, pulling

ssional, expected-as the car c

traffic; the driver focused a

presentation one last time. Cole sat beside her, posture composed, e

ed the final fig

ave," Hel

e revised structure. Nothing con

ll nod. "And

ghtly on the screen. "But still within a reali

pause

aze steady. "Mr. Ben is detai

n said. "I'll keep m

he challenges a point, take a moment

her head slig

ore continuing again, the

but firm, "stick to the structure we discu

won

her

backed up. "Is there anything speci

ut hesitation. "The

ted to him.

repared,"

is gaze bri

slight nod, turning his attention forward a

smooth stop in fro

Cole exited without pause, Helen following just

o hesitation-as they

in. Cole acknowledged with a slight nod, already moving.

e room door, where Cole pa

taking her seat. Cole followed, closing the door behind him, his eyes briefly

g his own stack of papers, his postu

re placed on the table. Chairs drawn back. The meeting began al

larity, her voice steady and professional. Cole interjected only when needed, reinforcing points with calm authority.

calm did

ly, slamming a hand lightly against the table. The sharp soun

in his chair, fingers resting lig

uietly, deliberately, "is expec

elen could feel the shift, a tangible tension pressing against her shoulders.

es, his impatience clear but controlled. "This isn

replied, his tone ca

gainst the floor. Papers rustled as he gathered them

followed his lead, closing her folder with care. Without a word, they left

st lik

eting

e back w

qu

back seat, hands folded neat

aid no

omewhere beyond t

rns, voices, life-but inside