earlier the following day. Or was he planning to fire her in front of everyone? The look he gave her, the hatred he had

how quickly routines formed in the chaos of change. Her mornings were now an orchestrated rhythm of sweeping, w

n Bla

, his floor was a mausoleum of luxury and precision. Wide black marble tiles stretched across the floor, spotless and reflective. Glass pan

licity was a deception. There was something about moving through that silence, past the towering doubl

ready to face the break room's empty glances and hushed whispers, so she climbed to the top flo

swept the sleek floor. She wiped down the baseboards with her gloves on, her hands used to the st

eps echoed against the glass and marble. Aria froze, stra

as he managing to come

he cuffs of his black suit. His presence swallowed the space, even without a word. When

a bent her head quickly and stepped a

pletely like he had not heard her. The scent of him lingered af

smiss her and tell her to leave his office, but she finally managed to gather the courage and got in. She didn't look directly at him. Just dipped her mop in

c, delicate, with a single lipstick stain. It wasn't hers. Her hand paused. Then she

move

er as she cleaned? His voice wasn't rai

rouched. "I... didn't mean

hers again,

in a cage, with cold glances from Lucien after every inch she made. It made her uncomfortable, but she had to bear with it.

ing after work, those were the instructions she had been given. The sky outside had darkened to charcoal,

tly, not meaning to eavesdrop. H

was saying. "Y

pa

night...and she brought herself to me, she willingly did,

word. Aria didn't breathe. She steppe

d, then the sound

ger before stepping in

s pockets, jaw tight. The city lights pain

tly. As she turned to l

ri

He hadn't called her t

turned halfway,

" He pointed at the

k the piece of paper that was

orry." She said, collecting

wo. He finally turned back t

s that curled in her chest as the elevator doors closed behind her. She had promised her