Hearts On The Horizon

e occasional interaction with Elliot that made my stomach twist in ways I couldn't explain, and then back to w

just the constant push and pull betwee

of the professional masks we wore, Elliot and I were playing a game-a game neither of us had fully figured out yet. It felt like a test, and

ssage from Mark, which was rare. He usually communica

project and want an update. It's crucial that you're there. I know you've been doing a gre

he board that we were on track, that I knew exactly what I was doing, it would seal my place here.

n a high-stakes environment made my nerves flare. He had a way of scrutinizing everything I did, making sure I was never comfortable enough

fect. There was

presentation. My laptop was open, the projector was set up, and I was runn

s hands in his pockets. He was dressed in a dark suit,

stepping into the room. "I t

" I replied, not hiding the tension in my

on the screen. "You've been working hard. I'll gi

yebrow. "What

ether, Clara. I know the pressure is on you, but we're a

sed to this-this feeling that he was being more than just a colleague. But that wasn't what matt

said, glancing at him briefly

rceptible smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Okay. Just do

bothered me the most-that for the first time, Elliot wasn't just pushing me to do my best. He

-

ot's

on. But there was something more. I had seen how she operated in the field, how she led with confidence, but this-this felt different. There was a vulnerability in the w

the board. It was something else that was

I needed to be close to her, to protect her from whatever it was that had her so rattled. But I wasn't su

that I had come to admire-something that kept pushing her forward, even when she didn't seem to have it all to

tions. What was it about Clara that kept pulling me in? And wh

-

gies, and doubts. I wanted to do well. I wanted to show them all that I could handle it.

rves. I glanced over the presentation one last time, double-checking eve

as E

he room, I knew somethi