Auren remained still as Kael's footsteps faded behind the door. Silence settled in the office, yet her heart hadn't calmed. Her chest rose and fell softly, her fingers trembled almost imperceptibly. She smoothed her skirt with her palms, as if trying to brush off the lingering tension, but the fire inside her didn't die down.
She had flirted before, played with words — but with him, it was different. It wasn't just fun or innocent teasing. Kael played a different game — dangerous, predatory, as if testing whether she could keep up or falter. And the funny thing was... she had no intention of backing down. On the contrary, the challenge thrilled her, made her want to keep playing.
Auren slowly sank into the chair, biting her lip. Her gaze flicked to the laptop, the presentation still open. That part was over. She had proven she belonged here. But now... it seemed she faced a new kind of test — playing with fire. So be it.
She smirked, leaned forward, and closed the laptop.
***
Kael slammed his office door shut, leaning back against it. A deep breath escaped his lips, though his face remained unreadable. He knew Auren was dangerous. He'd felt it since the first time they met. Until today, he thought he had control. Now... he wasn't so sure.
Her gaze, her confidence, the slow grace of her movements — it was as if she were deliberately testing his patience. Kael ran a hand through his hair and chuckled. "You know you're playing with fire, right?" he had told her. But maybe it was her leading the game all along.
Auren... She kept surprising him. He saw that spark in her eyes, that unrelenting defiance even when he tried to assert dominance. She wasn't afraid of the heat — maybe she even craved it.
He walked to his desk and dropped into his chair.
Somehow, he knew Auren wouldn't let him get bored.
***
The office was already deserted. Auren lazily rubbed the back of her neck, feeling the tension still lingering in her muscles. The final revisions glowed on her laptop screen, but the thought of finishing up didn't bring any satisfaction. Outside, the rain drummed against the windows, creating a rhythmic backdrop to the silence.
She sighed and stretched, then walked to the window. The sky was overcast with thick clouds, and puddles on the street had already turned into tiny lakes. She bit her lip, realizing — of course — she'd left her umbrella at home. She would either have to wait or brave the downpour.
When she turned around, she noticed the light still on in the boss's office. She frowned. Kael was still here? Not surprising, really. He always stayed late.
Just as she decided to shut down her laptop, the lights flickered — then a sharp click — and the office was swallowed by darkness. Auren froze, trying to adjust to the sudden shift.
She stood to check if a fuse had blown, and at that moment, the door burst open. Soft footsteps echoed in the dark, and before she could react, she collided with something solid and warm.
Kael.
She gasped, losing her balance, clutching his sleeve for support. Kael instinctively caught her by the waist, holding her steady.
"Careful," his voice was low, close, almost by her ear.
"You're the one barging into my office," she muttered, trying to keep her cool, though her heart skipped a beat.
She could feel the warmth of his hand through the fabric of her blouse. Her heartbeat quickened as she attempted to step back, but the darkness betrayed her — she bumped into him again.
Kael chuckled softly, still holding her.
"You seem to enjoy running into me," he teased lazily.
Auren scoffed quietly.
"You're always in my way. Maybe you should be more careful."
She felt heat rise to her cheeks, though thankfully, the darkness hid it. She tried once more to step away, but Kael tightened his grip slightly, keeping her close. He leaned in, and she felt his breath near her temple.
"Don't rush," his voice softened, deepened. "You might fall into me again. The generator will kick in soon."
Auren bit her lip, knowing there was truth in his words, but retreating wasn't in her nature. The darkness only amplified the closeness between them, creating a sense that they were alone in their own hidden world. Auren narrowed her eyes — futile in the pitch black.
"And you don't seem to mind," she murmured, her lips curling into a smirk.
Kael's grip on her waist tightened slightly.
"Maybe. I like it when you're close."
Her breath caught, but she quickly composed herself.
"Are you sure?" her voice softened. "What if I decide to keep my distance?"
Kael let out a low hum.
"Then I'll have to find out why."
Auren tilted her head, imagining his gaze despite the darkness.
"And what will you do?"
He leaned in, close enough for her to catch the faint scent of his cologne.
"Aren't you curious?"
She didn't look away, her voice quieter but steady.
"Maybe. But I don't like being tested."
Kael smiled, as if that was exactly the answer he expected.
Suddenly, the lights blinked on, snapping reality back into place. Kael slowly let go of her waist, but his gaze remained the same — thoughtful, observant.
"You can run off now," he said with a faint smile.
Auren straightened, arms crossed over her chest.
"You're always the one getting too close."
Kael smirked.
"And you're still playing with fire."
She tilted her head, eyes gleaming.
"So what now? You'll warn me I'll get burned?"
He looked at her, long and steady.
"No," he replied, turning away. "I'm just curious when you'll figure it out."
Auren exhaled slowly, barely suppressing a smile.
These dangerous games with fire are hard to hide in the dark, she thought. She nodded, letting out a small, casual laugh, as if everything was fine. But her body suddenly began to shake. She quietly stepped toward her desk, trying not to show it while Kael remained in the room.
She leaned against the edge of the table, struggling to calm herself. Her heart still raced wildly after the blackout. The air was thick with leftover adrenaline, making her fingers tremble slightly.
Kael's eyes scanned her face, then lingered on her clenched fists.
"You okay?" his voice was low but firm.
"I'm fine," Auren answered too quickly, betraying herself as her fingers quivered while reaching for documents.
He noticed.
"Really?" He raised an eyebrow, stepping closer.
Auren swallowed, her breath uneven.
"Just... adrenaline. Still wearing off," she admitted, avoiding his gaze.
Kael smirked slightly, not mocking — just understanding.
"So I really did rattle you?"
"It wasn't you," she blurted, then instantly regretted it. Her voice had been too uncertain.
He watched her silently for a moment, then, as if deciding something, gently placed his hands on her shoulders. His fingers were warm, his touch steady but gentle.
"Breathe deeper," he said, voice dropping to a near whisper. "It'll help."
But instead of calming her, the gesture sent another wave of heat through her. Auren tensed, her heart pounding even faster.
"Kael..." her voice wavered.
He felt the shift, too. Silence fell over the room — heavy, electric. Their eyes met, and something sparked in the space between them.
"It's okay," he said quietly.
And somehow, those three simple words grounded her. Her breathing evened out, tension slowly retreating like a wave receding from the shore.
Then she noticed something unusual in his eyes — as if beneath that clear, cold surface burned a quiet flame. It didn't need to blaze to be felt. That light warmed and scorched at once.
Her own gaze was drawn to it, and for a moment, nothing else existed — just them, that invisible fire, a silent pull behind his eyes.
Kael held her gaze for a heartbeat longer, then abruptly looked away and headed to the door. At the threshold, he paused, like he wanted to say something, but changed his mind.
"See you tomorrow," he said curtly, and left, leaving Auren alone in the room.
She ran a hand over her face, inhaling deeply.
He was right. Everything was fine. So why was her heart still racing?
Auren suddenly noticed something unusual in his eyes — as if behind the cold, clear surface, a living fire was hidden. That light was quiet and gentle, yet burning, like a flame that didn't need fuel to exist. There was a spark in his gaze that she couldn't explain or ignore — it felt like it was both warming and scorching her at the same time.
Her own eyes seemed drawn to that light, and for a moment, everything else disappeared — just the two of them, that invisible heat, a silent call buried in his gaze.
Kael held her gaze, the light in his eyes flickering, reflecting emotions that words didn't dare name.
He looked at her for a moment longer, then abruptly broke eye contact and headed for the door. Just before he reached it, he paused, as if about to say something — but thought better of it.
"See you tomorrow," he said shortly and left, leaving Auren alone in the room.
She ran a hand down her face, inhaled deeply, and exhaled slowly.
Kael was right. Everything really was okay. But why was her heart still racing?
When Kael walked out of her office, Auren could still feel the warmth of his hands on her shoulders. She rubbed her arms, trying to erase the sensation, but it wouldn't fade.
She took a deep breath, then exhaled, trying to steady herself. It was over. The lights were back on, her body had stopped trembling — but the strange closeness she'd felt with Kael wouldn't let her go.
Why was it him who managed to calm her down? Why was it his voice, his touch, that brought her back to reality? If it had been someone else, would it have worked the same?
"No," she answered herself silently. "It wasn't just someone. It was Kael."
Auren frowned toward the door. She didn't know what annoyed her more: the fact that he was the one who helped her, or that she kept thinking about him again.
But one thing was certain — there was something between them that couldn't simply be ignored.
***
Kael stepped out of the office and stopped in the hallway. He adjusted his shirt cuffs automatically, trying to distract himself from what he still felt on his fingertips.
Her warm skin. Her tense shoulders.
He clenched his jaw and rubbed his face.
He hadn't planned to touch her. It just happened. Her subtle trembling, the look in her eyes — fear mixed with confusion — had made him act before he could think.
But why? Why was it Auren who stirred that reaction in him?
"You do realize you're playing with fire?" — his own words echoed in his mind.
Kael gave a small, humorless smile as he stepped out of the building.
It seemed like in this game, both of them were bound to burn.
Kael left the building, but instead of heading to his car, he slowed his steps. Cold raindrops touched his skin almost immediately, but he didn't hurry to find shelter.
He looked up at the sky — thick clouds, the downpour showed no sign of stopping. A thought flashed in his mind.
Auren. She usually takes a taxi, but in weather like this, it'll be hard to find one.
He couldn't help but remember her disoriented gaze in the dark, the trembling fingers clutching the edge of the table. If she'd been so shaken just by the sudden blackout, how long would it take her to wait for a ride in that downpour?
He sighed deeply and headed to his car — but didn't start it. He would wait. Not for her. For himself.
***
Auren stepped out of the building, pulling her jacket tighter around her in an attempt to shield herself from the unexpected rain. Water streamed down the street lit only by sparse lamplight, and the air was filled with the freshness that comes after a heavy shower. She held her phone in her hand, eyes scanning the screen anxiously, hoping at least one driver would accept her request. But apparently, in this weather, no one wanted to work.
She sighed in frustration, brushing a hand through her damp hair, when she suddenly noticed a car parked right by the exit. The headlights blinked, and then the window rolled down, revealing a familiar face.
Kael was behind the wheel, leaning casually against it, watching her with a faint smirk.
"Get in."
Auren froze for a moment, hesitating, but another cold drop slid down her neck, forcing her to abandon her doubts. She quickly opened the door and climbed inside, instantly enveloped by the warmth of the car, a sharp contrast to the chill outside.
"You really don't know how to take care of yourself," Kael muttered, starting the engine.
Auren rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a small smile.
A heavy silence settled inside the car. The only sounds were the drumming of rain on the windshield and the low hum of the engine. Auren fastened her seatbelt, curled her cold fingers into fists, and stole a glance at Kael. He held the steering wheel calmly, eyes fixed on the road, but even in his relaxed posture, there was tension.
The car started moving, and at that very moment, they both spoke at once:
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, it's just..."
They stopped abruptly. Auren blinked awkwardly, meeting his gaze, and Kael raised an eyebrow slightly, as if giving her the floor.
"Go ahaed", he said, his voice a bit softer than usual.
Auren gripped the seatbelt, as if it could help settle the discomfort twisting in her chest. She took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts.
"It's just... everything piled up," she began, watching the raindrops run down the window. "The presentation, then the sudden blackout... I think the adrenaline just kept me going too long, and when it dropped, I crashed. That's all."
She shrugged, trying to sound casual, but Kael kept looking at her, silent. His gaze made her feel as if he could see straight through her, as if he understood more than she was willing to admit.
"I see," he finally said, turning his eyes back to the road.
Auren noticed out of the corner of her eye how he gripped the wheel a little tighter, but he said nothing else. The silence returned, but now it wasn't as suffocating as before.
She looked out the window, watching the raindrops weave winding trails across the glass. She had just told Kael that it was all due to accumulated stress — the presentation, the power outage, the general anxiety. And that was true... but not the whole truth. Deep down, she knew the real reason lay elsewhere.
That chill she felt when the lights came back on — it was too familiar. It dragged her back into the past, to moments she desperately tried to forget. Her fear of the dark wasn't like most people's. It wasn't about the unknown or being alone. It was something deeper. More painful.
Auren's eyes fluttered shut, and the rainy atmosphere, the hum of the car, pulled her thoughts backward — to where it all began.
***
She remembered how, as a child, she tried to be helpful, to please, to stay invisible. Her mother worked in that house, did whatever was asked of her — anything to keep her job and provide some stability for Auren. Auren tried to help too, took on any task she could, but sometimes... sometimes she just wasn't strong enough.
"You can't even do that?" came the cold, disappointed voice of Mrs. Dantes. "You're completely useless."
Her small hands struggled to hold a heavy box, and when it finally slipped from her grasp and thudded against the floor, Auren's heart stopped. The next moment, the icy glare of the lady of the house fell upon her.
"If you can't do your job, then you need to learn."
She remembered being led to the dark basement. It was cold — far too cold. The walls seemed to absorb all light, and the air was damp and heavy. The door slammed shut behind her, locking her in complete darkness.
She hugged her knees to her chest, trying to stop trembling. She wanted to call for her mother, but she knew that would only make things worse. So she stayed silent, clutching herself tightly, imagining it was her mother's warmth shielding her from the cold.
She wouldn't be let out until someone found another task for her. Sometimes it took an hour, sometimes two. And sometimes longer. She never knew when the door would open again — and that was the scariest part. The waiting. The darkness. The cold that slowly seeped into her bones.
At first, she tried to think about other things. She'd recall the lessons she studied with her mom, or hum songs she'd heard on TV. But the silence swallowed her voice, made it feel fragile, almost non-existent.
As time passed, fear gradually consumed her. She clenched her fists, pressed her back against the wall, hoping it would give her some warmth. But her body still shook. Her thoughts tangled, her breath grew shallow. The darkness blurred the line between reality and nightmare.
She feared the door would never open again.
Many years had passed, but the body doesn't forget such things. The cold and the dark still lingered, hiding in the corners of her mind, resurfacing when she least expected them.
***
Auren blinked, coming back to the present. She clenched her fingers on her lap, trying to steady her breathing without drawing attention. No — Kael didn't need to know about this. What did it matter now anyway? That was a long time ago. She'd grown up. She wasn't that helpless girl anymore.
Kael glanced at Auren beside him. She was staring out the window, her expression distant, but there was no helplessness in her eyes. She had changed. She was stronger, more confident. But at what cost?
He suddenly remembered a moment from their childhood.
He'd been standing in the hallway when he heard muffled voices. Curiosity drew him toward the room they came from. There, he saw his mother speaking to Auren in that same cold, measured tone. Auren's head was lowered, her shoulders trembling — but she didn't cry.
"You can't even do this?" his mother said quietly, which made it even scarier. "Useless. Do you even realize how ashamed I am of you?"
Auren said nothing. Just then, one of the maids entered, holding a leather belt. Kael tensed, but didn't move. He knew — if he interfered, things would only get worse for her. He, too, was controlled. He wasn't allowed to make his own choices or decide what to study. He could only watch as Auren was punished, swallowing his own helplessness.
The first time the belt struck, Auren didn't even flinch. The second time — she squeezed her eyes shut but didn't make a sound. Only on the third strike did her lips press tightly together, and her fingers clutch at the fabric of her skirt.
Kael clenched his fists.
Even though he'd known Auren was treated harshly in that house, he hoped that was the first — and last — time someone laid a hand on a little girl.
He hated it. Hated that he couldn't do anything. Hated that he, too, was forced to obey someone else's rules.
But what he hated most was that Auren's mother watched it all with complete indifference.
In the car, Auren shifted slightly, pulling him back into the present. Kael's hands tightened on the steering wheel. Years had passed, yet that one moment from the past haunted him like a splinter he couldn't remove.
Now Auren was stronger. Now she could stand up for herself.
But did he know how deep her scars really went?
***
A warm summer day wrapped the garden in soft golden light. Auren walked carefully across the green grass, enjoying the fresh air. She had always loved being here, among the flowers and trees, where she could forget the harshness of the mistress and her endless chores — at least for a little while.
As she passed by one of the benches, she spotted Kael. He sat with his head slightly bowed, completely absorbed in the pages of a book. Auren froze. She loved books. They were her refuge, her comfort — her only escape from reality. So when she saw one in Kael's hands, she couldn't resist.
She stepped closer, leaning in quietly to catch a glimpse of the cover. At that moment, Kael looked up. His eyes — blue like the sky — locked onto hers. Auren didn't look away. Her own eyes lit up with curiosity. She wanted so badly to know what he was reading, what stories were hidden in those pages.
But Kael suddenly closed the book, stood up from the bench, and walked away without saying a word. Auren blinked, stunned by his abrupt coldness. She didn't understand why he'd ignored her so rudely. Did he think she wasn't worthy of the book? Or did he simply not want her around?
However, when her gaze dropped to the bench, she saw the book still lying there. Her heart skipped a beat. He had left it? For her? Auren carefully picked up the book, her fingers brushing the rough cover. She opened the first page, inhaling the familiar scent of paper.
Meanwhile, Kael walked quickly back toward the mansion, never looking back. His shoulders were tight with tension. He knew — if his mother saw Auren near him, the consequences for her would be terrible. He couldn't let that happen.
He hadn't walked away because he didn't want her there.
He walked away because he was afraid that being near him would only hurt her.
But Auren would never know that.