Chapter Five. After Hours.

The office was silent by 8:30 PM.

Everyone had gone home. The cleaning staff had passed through, the security lights were on, and the city outside the tall windows shimmered with rain.

Elsie was typing out notes from the day’s meeting, the soft clack of her keys the only sound in the room.

A low voice broke the silence.

“You’re still here?”

She turned. Loe stood at his office door, jacket off, shirt sleeves rolled up again, holding a black mug in one hand.

“I wanted to finish the draft,” she said. “I figured it’s better to submit something clean than keep piling revisions.”

He stared at her for a beat. Then gave a nod. “Come in.”

She hesitated. Then gathered her notes and followed him into the office.

The space was softer at night. Less intimidating. The corners darker, the lights dimmer. The storm outside cast moving shadows across the polished floor.

He gestured to the chair across from his desk. She sat.

Loe leaned against the edge of the table, arms folded loosely across his chest. “You didn’t have to stay late. I don’t expect overtime from new hires.”

“You didn’t like the last draft,” she said honestly. “I wanted to get it right.”

He studied her for a moment.

“That’s the problem,” he said. “You always try to get things perfect. But sometimes… imperfect tells the truth better.”

She blinked at that. “I’m not sure I follow.”

He turned, set his mug down, and looked out the window. Raindrops streaked the glass.

“Aria used to stay late sometimes too,” he said, voice quiet. “Before the marriage started cracking. Before I realized staying late didn’t mean she was working.”

Elsie froze.

He almost never mentioned his wife. The word Aria had never left his lips until now.

“She used to leave lipstick prints on my reports,” he added with a wry smile. “Back then, I thought it was sweet. Now I think it was just a warning.”

A beat passed between them, the kind that made a room feel smaller.

“I’m sorry,” Elsie said softly.

He shrugged, but there was heaviness behind the gesture. “I used to believe love meant loyalty. That it had rules. Turns out, it just has consequences.”

Elsie opened her mouth. Closed it. Her hands tightened in her lap.

You’re the consequence, her mind whispered. You’re part of the trap.

Loe turned back to her. “Do you believe people can really change?”

She met his gaze. “Yes.”

“Even after betrayal?”

She swallowed. “Especially after that. Because that’s when they have to.”

Silence again.

Outside, thunder rolled in the distance.

He looked at her differently now. Not like a secretary. Not like a stranger.

Just… like a woman. One who had surprised him.

“You always this honest?” he asked.

“Only when it matters.”

He stepped closer slowly, carefully as if not to spook her. Then, without asking, he reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

Elsie forgot to breathe.

“You have a way of saying the right things,” he murmured.

“I don’t try to.”

“That’s what makes it dangerous.”

They stood in that space, heartbeat to heartbeat, tension sharp but not yet crossed.

Then the intercom buzzed.

Both of them jumped.

Elsie pulled away quickly, heart thudding in her chest.

Loe stepped back, clearing his throat. “Looks like security’s locking up. You should go.”

She nodded, gathering her things with shaky fingers.

As she reached the door, he said, “Elsie.”

She turned.

“That draft?” he said. “It’s good.”

A slow smile touched her lips. “Goodnight, Mr. Callahan.”

And she left before he could see the guilt rise in her throat like bile.

She hadn’t touched him. Not yet.

But something far more dangerous was already happening:She was falling for him.