TURNING 30

t fast, the chilling connection between the cab driver and her new workplace gnawing at her mind. Her fin

ile sorting through some documen

air outside drifted through her open window, refreshing yet eerily q

buzzed. Daniel's messag

ything funny, let me know immediately. The moment you spot him stalking you, alert me so I can get him

in her stomach. Why was this man so connected to her world now? What were the odds? She cou

pped out a quick response. "How do you know all this information, Dan? Wha

her anchor for years, a keeper of secrets wrapped in schoolyard banter and loyal friendsh

ated, let's just say I know people. Don't stress too much; I'll keep an e

a magnetic pull on her? She had just met him, yet here she was, feeling an inexplicable connection. "No," she whispered as the realization dawned on her-sh

air hummed with excitement as she immersed herself in tasks, sorting documents and organizing

d you come here

de her way to his office. The door was slightly ajar, revealin

to infuse her voice with brightnes

tone was casual, but there was an edge of p

the air. Would their conversation delve deeper today? Perhaps discuss the strategies she had been dreaming of, or even uncover something m

g authority. The air shifted palpably as the stranger's icy gaze settled

? "I'm sorry, but I believe Mr. Nicholas was just about to give me some imp

ght to disturb him," the woman snapped ba

and to pause her. "This is a private meeting. I trust Victoria's input, so if you could.

ng. This was unfamiliar territory, the kind of confrontation that sent shivers down her spine. Sel

efend her place. "Look, I simply want to support our projects and prove I'm

toria has every right to be here. You don't have the auth

ed her with contempt before storming out of the office. As she did, she cast a last appraisi

ed, but the look on his face was inscrutable. "I apologize for that. Elsa has a habit of overste

ia murmured, still sha

antly. I admire your spirit." There was a hint of warmth in his eyes th

toes," she admitted, losing herself in the moment. For a second, it seemed like there was

whether Elsa was merely a co-worker or perhaps something more comp

control as she tried to shake the image of Nicholas deep in conversation with that woman. Was s

weight of those uncertainties lodged deep within her chest felt heavier with every step.

rom the other day, leaning casually against the wall. "Hey, what's your

etary to Mr. Nicholas," she replied,

r skin crawl, as though he was watching some thrilling perform

omfortable with. "Interesting job, don't you think? I hear he's a tough

feeling like he was trying to drag her back into some unwant

ter her, attempting to keep up. "I'm not done

on bursting through any walls of composure she

him chuckling darkly behind her. "You have n

her. What could that mean? What had she

and collected, as if he was part of an unfolding drama she hadn't signed up for. In tha

her world was about to twist in ways she never anticipated. Who could

hat other shadows lurked within her life, waiting to emerge. Would Daniel's warning

me, but the next chapter f