The first at the company was hectic but went well anyway. Amaya faced weird encounters but stayed calm. By the second day, Amaya had settled into her routine. They were simple; Wake up, A quick breakfast, Head to the Bus station, Observe, and Work. The repeats everything again.
Though it wasn't perfect, it was enough to keep her grounded.
As usual, Amaya ushered herself into the morning. stood in her small kitchen, flipping a piece of bread in a pan. While her phone played soft music in the background. The warm and familiar smell of butter filled the space. Just the way she liked it.
Beside the counter, her notebook sat open, fillee with scribbled reminders: Reply to internal emails, learn filing system, and Ask about weekly reports.
On an impulse, she added one more. Stay out of trouble. A gentle reminder to keep her peace of mind.
Amaya paused after writing, staring at the words. "...Yeah," she muttered. But if only it were that easy.
.
.
.
In the next Thirty minutes, Amaya found herself walking through the doors of the company. But today, the office felt slightly less overwhelming.
She greeted the receptionist with a small nod as she strolled by, making her way up to her floor.
"Morning," Maya said, already at her desk asshe saw Amaya walking in.
"Morning." Amaya responded, now at her desk.
"Survived day one. That's impressive."
Amaya faintly smiled. "Barely."
Maya leaned back in her chair. "Just give it a week. I tell you, 'll start judging everyone else instead."
"I doubt that, though." Amaya said, setting her bag down as she organized her desk.
"Just wait." Maya answered, not ready to back down.
Amaya shrugged, a smile plastered on her face as she sat in her chain. Now facing her desktop as well as Maya.
Steadily, they got into work. First, organizing mails. To documents to sorting, then transferring calls. They were nothing complicated but required lots of attention.
In it all, Amaya found herself settling into it faster than she expected. It was just perfect for someone like her who liked structure. She liked knowing what comes next, as it keeps her thoughts from wandering.
Just until a voice interrupted. "Ms. Bennett."
Her shoulders instinctively tensed. She didn't need to look up to know who it was. But did anyway.
And truthfully, her intuition wasn't wrong. Daniel Reed stood beside her desk, polished and calm.
Watching her like it was his job.
"Mr. Reed," she said, keeping her tone professional.
He placed a file on her desk. "I need this delivered to the archives. Basement level."
Amaya glanced at it. "I can do that."
"Good." He nodded, but didn't leave immediately. He just stood there like he was... waiting for her to set off.
"Anything else?" she asked.
He smiled faintly. "No. That will be all." And with that, he finally walked away.
Once he was gone, Amaya slowly exhaled.Maya on the other hand, leaned over immediately. "Why does he keep coming to you?"
"I don't know," Amaya admitted, clearly confused as much as her coworker.
Maya frowned. "Just... be careful, okay? That's all I can say." Amaya nodded, but didn't ask why.
Because something told her she already knew the answer. Without hesitation, she jerked to her full length and headed for to get her assigned task done.
~~~
The basement level was colder and quieter than the rest of the building in Blooms Global. And hardly had visiting it. Especially the old staffs.
Amaya stepped out of the elevator, the soft hum of machinery echoing faintly in the distance. The rows of storage shelves lined the space. Filled with labeled boxes and old files. It was practically empty.
Her grip on the folder slightly tightened, as she carefully strolled in. Clearly on edge.
"Archives," she murmured, scanning the signs. "This way." She told herself.
Her heels clicked softly against the floor as she walked deeper inside. The air felt differently still. Like it was stagnant.
Amaya slowed as a strange feeling crept over her. Like she wasn't alone. lnstictively, she turned, but was met silence. Just the neatly arranged rows of shelves.
"...You're overthinking again," she whispered.
In that moment, found the correct section . Slightly, she crouched, pulling out a box to place the file inside. Her fingers brushed the cold metal edge of the shelf.
She slid the file in, and stood, about to leave. That's when she heard it. A faint sound from behind her. Deftly, Amaya turned but it was too late.
The heavy metal rack beside her suddenly tilted. Coming towards her in a fast speed.Her eyes widened. "Oh-!"
The world seem snap into motion as a hand quickly grabbed her arm. And pulled her back. In that instant, the rack crashed down where she had been standing just seconds before.
The loud and violent sound echoed through the entire basement. Amaya's heart slammed against her ribs as she stumbled backward, straight into someone's chest. Her breath caught.
For a second, she didn't move nor think. She just felt his firm and steady grip around her arm.
"...Watch where you stand." The voice came low and controlled.
Amaya froze, slowly turning towards him. She came face-to-face with him. And it was no other Lucien Blues. Up close, he was worse. Not too intimidating in a loud way. And niether aggressive.
Just still and sharp, like nothing escapes him.
Her breath hitched. "I-I didn't-" she started, already trying to release herself from his grip. But he didn't let her.
"You didn't check your surroundings," he cut in calmly. Not harsh or direct.
Amaya swallowed. "I was just-"
"Distracted." He concluded.
She faintly nodded. "...Yes."
His gaze held hers for a second longer, then finally released her. The loss of contact felt immediate and noticeable.
Aria stepped back slightly, steadying herself. "Thank you," she said.
But he didn't respond right away. Instead, his eyes shifted briefly to the fallen rack. Then back to her. His gaze calculative and assessing. She noticed mething unreadable flickered in his expression.
"Report this," he finally said. "And don't come down here alone again." He ordered, his tone clearly not a suggestion.
Amaya nodded. "Okay."
And that was enough to make the air between them, tight. Neither of them moved. Just the, footsteps echoed from the far end, approaching towards them.
"Sir?" Lucien's assistant called as he sighted them.
But Lucien didn't immediately look away from Amaya. And when he finally did, the moment broke.
"Handle it," he said, already turning away. And within a blink of an eye, he was gone. Just like that.
Amaya stood still, staring at the space he had just occupied. Her heart still racing from the impact of the moment, not just the accident. But something else. The one thing she couldn't explain.
Unbeknownst to her, someone stood in the silence, watching from behind a row of shelves. His expression darkened, cold and unimpressed.
"...Unfortunate," he murmured.
Because whatever happened, hadn't been an accident.
Back upstairs, Maya rushed over the moment Amaya returned. "What happened? We heard something crash!"
Amaya slowly exhaled . "A rack fell."
"Are you okay?!" Maya snapped.
"I'm fine."
"Thank God." She added.
But that wasn't all. Amaya had the urge to say more but hesitated. Unfortunately she wasn't one to keep things for herself.
"The CEO was there." She muttered
Maya's eyes widened. "What?!"
"He... pulled me out of the way." She whispered.
"Okay, that's not normal."
"I figured so." Amaya agreed.
Maya leaned closer. "He doesn't just show up in places like that."
Amaya slightly frowned."...Then why was he there?" She said, almost to herself.
Meanwhile, Lucien stood by his window again. But his mind wasn't on the city this time. It was on the basement. The timing, placement and intent. He was so sure that rack didn't fall by accident. It was made to fall.
His jaw tightened "Daniel Reed," he said to herself. But this time, there was no doubt.
