The next morning, I told myself it would be ordinary again. No strangers in sharp suits. No shadowy cars following me home. Just work, deadlines, and Daniel's easy smiles.
And for a while, it was.
The office buzzed with its usual chaos — phones ringing, editors running from one desk to another, and the constant hum of printers spitting out half-finished drafts. I buried myself in manuscripts, hoping that if I worked hard enough, I could drown out the echo of Adrian's voice.
Someone I should have protected a long time ago.
The words clung to me no matter how I tried to shake them off.
"Hey," Daniel's voice cut through my thoughts. He leaned on the side of my cubicle, holding two steaming paper cups. "You look like you need this more than I do."
I blinked, then managed a small smile. "You're spoiling me, you know."
He grinned. "Don't get used to it. I only bribe the people I like."
His warmth was disarming, effortless. I took the cup from him, fingers brushing his for a second longer than necessary. For the first time all morning, my chest felt lighter.
But the moment didn't last.
Around noon, a commotion erupted near the front desk. Raised voices, the sound of something dropping to the floor. Curiosity tugged me forward, and before I knew it, I was in the middle of it.
A delivery man, red-faced and frustrated, was arguing with the receptionist. A stack of packages had spilled across the floor, papers scattered everywhere. When I knelt to help gather them, his arm shot out, blocking me.
"Leave it," he snapped. "I said I'll handle it!"
I froze, heart racing. His tone was sharp, aggressive in a way that made my stomach twist.
"Hey," Daniel's voice cut in, firm but calm. He stepped between us, his presence steady like a wall. "She was just trying to help. There's no need to talk to her like that."
The delivery man bristled. "Mind your business."
Daniel didn't flinch. "This is my business when you raise your voice at her." His tone wasn't loud, but it carried authority that surprised me. "Pick up the packages. Apologize. And move on."
For a tense second, I thought the man would push back. But eventually, he muttered something under his breath, scooped up the packages, and stormed out.
The receptionist exhaled in relief. My own pulse was still pounding.
"You okay?" Daniel asked softly, turning to me. His expression softened instantly, worry replacing the steel that had been in his eyes moments ago.
I nodded quickly. "Yeah. Just… startled."
He gave me a small smile, though it didn't quite hide the tension in his jaw. "Don't let people like that scare you. You deserve better."
Something warm bloomed in my chest, chasing away the chill that Adrian had left the night before. Daniel was steady, kind, protective in a way that didn't feel suffocating.
Comfort.
And yet, as I sat back at my desk later, I caught myself glancing out the window. Half-expecting to see a black car. Half-expecting to feel eyes on me again.
Because no matter how safe Daniel made me feel, some shadows didn't let go that easily.