Alex's POV — "You're Not That Subtle"
Tuesday Night – Zayn's Mansion
I leaned back in the leather chair, swirling the golden liquid in his glass with a lazy grin. Zayn sat across from me in silence, nursing his own drink like it had personally offended him.
"So," i said casually, "you gonna tell me why you've been looking like someone stole your damn Ferrari since Friday?"
Zayn didn't flinch. Didn't even blink. The man was infuriatingly composed.
"Work's been demanding," he replied, voice flat.
i snorted. "You mean your secretary's been demanding."
Zayn shot me a cold look. "That girl can't even get my coffee right."
"Sure. And yet, for someone who 'can't do anything right,' she's survived what —almost two weeks under your reign of terror? That's a record. meera barely lasted three days and she was halfway in love with you."
Zayn said nothing.
i leaned forward, dropping the smirk. "Be honest, man. You're rattled. I saw it Friday. You looked like you wanted to throw that guy—Levi, right?—into traffic."
A muscle in Zayn's jaw twitched.
"Jealousy isn't your color."
"I'm not jealous," Zayn muttered, draining his glass.
I raised a brow. "Then why are you spiraling every time she talks to someone who's not you? You're not cold, Zayn. You're scared. And frankly? That's more interesting."
Zayn stood abruptly, walking to refill his drink. "I don't have time for distractions."
"Oh, come off it," i scoffed. "You've been distracting yourself with work since Olivia. We all get it. But this girl? Jane? She's different. She rattles you. And instead of leaning in, you're pushing her away."
Zayn didn't respond.
Just stared at the bottle like it had all the answers.
I stood, patting my friend on the shoulder. "You can pretend all you want, but one day, she's going to walk away. And you'll only have yourself to blame."
I left it at that — no lectures, no pity. Just the truth, laid bare.
And when Zayn didn't follow me out or call after me I knew it had landed.
Because silence from Zayn wasn't dismissal.
It was guilt.
Zayn's POV – "Invisible Threads"
Wednesday Morning – Executive Office Floor
I adjusted the cuff of my shirt for the third time.
i didn't know why.
It was perfect the first time.
I could feel her before i saw her — the faint shuffle of her flats down the hall, the muted sound of papers clutched nervously in her hands. Jane always moved like she didn't want to be noticed, like taking up space was a crime she'd be punished for.
It irritated me
Not her presence — just the way she constantly tried to shrink it.
I looked up when she stepped into the office, but she didn't meet my eyes. Just her usual routine: head low, voice quiet, papers stacked, and hands trembling ever so slightly as she placed the day's file on his desk.
She turned to leave.
i stopped her.
"I didn't say you could go."
She froze mid-step, turning back slowly, confusion clouding her face.
"I—um... I thought—" she stammered, eyes searching his expression.
"Did you have something to say about the Henderson proposal?" i asked, feigning neutrality.
She blinked. "Oh... No. I didn't prepare anything on that. You didn't ask me to."
I leaned back in my chair, fingers steepled. "I assumed someone who was serious about learning would take initiative."
There. i left the door open.
It was as close to an invitation as i could manage.
But her eyes fell, her shoulders tightening again. "Sorry. I'll get something ready."
She turned away again.
my fingers twitched.
I hated this.
Hated how the moment she left the room, it would feel colder.
i didn't want her fear. i wanted her... to look at me. To talk to me without flinching. But the only tools he'd ever known to hold people were control, perfection, silence.
So i tried again.
"Did you... get home safely yesterday?"
Jane stopped. Very slowly, she turned around, brows drawn together in disbelief.
"I beg your pardon?"
I cursed himself inwardly.
It came out too soft. Too concerned.
I cleared my throat, hardening my tone. "I meant, your reports from yesterday. You got them submitted. On time."
She blinked at me like he'd grown two heads.
Then nodded. "Yes. I did."
She left.
i sat still, glaring at the door.
What the hell are you doing?
Alex's words from last night echoed in my skull.
"One day she's going to walk away. And you'll only have yourself to blame."
I hated that Alex was right.
But more than that — I hated that Jane didn't believe someone like me could want someone like her.
Because i did.
And it was driving me mad.