Between walls and hearts

Jessica expected. She had thought her new job would bring some stab

was the cold, sterile environment of the office. Everything seemed so polished, so perfect. The expensive furniture, the immaculate floors, the minima

personal office, separated by a thin, transparent glass wall. The idea of being constantly vi

be long before she'd get her first taste of what everyone s

into her desk, the phone o

hrough the receiver, sharp and comman

ying to hide her nervousness.

w," he snapped b

d the handle. She didn't know what to expect. Would he be just as cold in pe

tered, his eyes fixed on a series of documents in front

he order

d feel the weight of his gaze on her as he scrutinized her from behind his desk.

ted to arrive at work this morning. That's not acceptable

e. I was just making sure everything was in

th me, Miss Simpson? Because if you are, t

on. "But I do believe there's a way to speak to people without

m like that before, and he wasn't sure what to make of it. Most employees cowered i

his voice low and threatening. "I don't to

" she said coldly, though she couldn

e he sighed in irritation. "Fine. Just get b

uldn't help but feel a sense of victory. No one had ever stood up to Brian Whitm

s of temper. But Jessica, despite her growing frustration, refused to back down. She stuck to her guns, refu

r to cower, but instead, she would fire back with her own. It wasn't just the work that kept her on edge, it was him. Brian seeme

stomach twisted, unsure of what he was going to say this time. S

ugh some papers on his desk. "I told you to arrange the files in a p

alm. "I did everything according to your inst

to me. Do you know how many employees I have wh

o be the best," she replied, not backing down. She wasn't going to let

ing in control, to having everyone follow his lead without question. But Jessica, she was different. And despite himself

," he muttered, br

ike you either," she shot

es, but he quickly masked it with his usual cold demeanor. "G

mix of anger and exhilaration. She had no idea what was going on

e more they clashed, the more she started to realize that there was something about Brian that she couldn't i

orking for Brian Whitmore. The office was filled with cold efficiency, but there was a persistent u

loomed over her constantly, even when he wasn't in the room. His arrogance and aloofness were maddening, but at the same time, there w

ian appeared in the doorway of her office. He was leaning agains

he meeting this afternoon?" he a

ing slightly. "I didn't receive anything. Are you sure

t three times a day, Jessica. You missed it again." He stepped into the room, leaning over her

ut, Mr. Whitmore. I've been on top of everything." Her voice was firm, but there was an edge of an

talk back, Jessica," he muttered, his voice suddenl

her chest was tight with frustration. "But if you're going to keep throwing these little

quiet, his usual arrogance replaced by something that seemed almost like contemplation. Jessi

ds were almost grudgingly impressed. "But don't think for a second that I'll let you get away

"Understood, sir. But I

g back. "Fine. Get back to work, Jessica. I expect you

happened. She'd stood up to him, sure, but there had been something in his eyes, something almost... approving? She s

t exchange, but every now and then, his gaze would linger on her from across the office, and Jes

ssica prepared to leave. She grabbed her bag and

ess

y to her office, his posture casual, but there

there was still a hint of the usual coldness there. "I didn't mean to.

ver. Part of her wanted to tell him to shove it, to remind him of how rude he'd been. But something stopped her. Maybe it was the fact that she was sti

e a little softer than usua

uldn't quite place the strange feeling that fluttered in her chest, but it made her

er shoulder, her voice sounding a litt

an replied, his

and dismissive; the next, he'd throw out a half-hearted apology or an attempt at civil conversation. Jessica couldn

Every glance, every word exchanged, felt like it was charg