Rise from Ashes

of sorts, a place where I felt oddl

ning, the soft hum of the city below a constant reminder t

tarted working here, yet it felt like

ming, a nagging sense of unease had settled

ad stepped out for a meeting, leav

designated spots when I noticed an old en

aded but still legible. My heart skipped a beat w

throat. I knew I shouldn't open it,

d the letter, scanning the contents quick

's family a business partnership that, acco

at led to my parents' deaths. And the worst part? T

ipped it back into its envelope, m

ficant part of my life, who had given me a chance when I was

rything had changed. Every time he smiled at me, every time he offered a kind word or gentle encou

d myself alone in the office again. Alexander had

e an eternity, the temptation to

stead, I leaned back in the leather chai

exander's deep voice broke through my thought

est. "I I was just finishing up some

n me a moment too long, as if he c

arked, crossing the room to stand

. Just a lot on my mind, I guess." It wasn't a c

hing's bothering you, you can talk to me. I do

re he was, offering me comfort, and all I could th

much I was doubting him, not

quietly, looking down at my

his, nodding before g

stands. Let me walk yo

ow he subtly placed himself between me and the busy streets, how his hand hovered j

erate, so gentle, be connec

d I became increasingly skilled

enigmatic as ever, completely una

uldn't go on li

ross another clue a photograph of my parents with Alexand

the smiles on their faces a stark contrast to

een our families was real, that somethi

tograph away, my mind sp

ted to something bigger, something I w

esolved to dig deeper. I needed to kno

the elevator, my pho

see a message fro

found. Stop digging,

od ran

e knew about the letter

at did they mea

ors slid shut, my reflection starin

now, and there w

and keep it hidden from Alexander? An

pened, I realized I was no longer just

erous game, and the stak