Monday mornings at Voss Art & Media had a rhythm—controlled, precise, almost rehearsed.
Cynthia felt it the moment she stepped through the glass doors.
The hum of printers. The low murmur of conversations.
Yet something had shifted.
She adjusted her bag on her shoulder and headed toward the elevators, reminding herself—Beach weekends don't follow you into boardrooms.
But glances lingered longer than usual.
"Morning, Cynthia," a receptionist said, eyes flicking briefly past her.
Cynthia smiled. "Good morning."
She didn't turn around—but she knew.
Alexander had entered moments after her.
They did not walk together.
They did not speak.
They did not even look at each other.
And yet—anyone paying attention could feel it.
Daniel noticed it too.
He sat across from Cynthia during the editorial briefing, flipping through his tablet with exaggerated calm. He didn't interrupt. Didn't tease. Didn't smirk.
That alone was suspicious.
"You okay?" he asked quietly when the meeting broke.
"Yes," Cynthia replied, gathering her notes. "Why?"
"You're… lighter," he said. "Like someone who slept well or had a really good weekend."
She paused. "People can't just have good weekends now?"
"They can," Daniel said. "But they don't usually come back looking like they left something unfinished."
Cynthia shot him a look. "You read too much into things."
Across the floor, Alexander stood near the glass wall of his office, deep in conversation with a department head. Calm. Focused. Professional.
Daniel followed Cynthia's gaze—and hummed thoughtfully.
"Interesting," he muttered.
"What?" she asked.
"Nothing," he said quickly. "Just confirming a theory."
She narrowed her eyes. "Daniel."
He raised both hands. "Relax. I haven't said anything. Yet."
"Don't," she warned.
"Depends," he replied. "Are you going to tell me what happened?"
"Nothing happened."
Daniel smiled. "That's usually when everything has."
Later that morning, Cynthia found herself at the coffee machine just as Alexander arrived from the opposite side.
They stopped.
Not abruptly. Not awkwardly.
Just… aware.
"Good morning," he said evenly.
"Good morning, sir," she replied, tone polite, distant.
For a split second, something unreadable crossed his face.
Then it was gone.
Professional again.
The machine beeped. She reached for her cup.
"So," he said, voice low, careful, "did you rest well?"
"Yes," she replied. "I hope you did too."
"I did," he said. "Thank you."
Their eyes met—briefly.
Long enough.
Then footsteps approached.
"Ah—perfect timing," Daniel said cheerfully, sliding between them like he hadn't just interrupted something important. "Boss. Cynthia."
Alexander stepped back slightly. "Daniel."
Daniel grinned. "You both seem… refreshed."
Alexander's expression remained neutral. "Is there something you need?"
"Yes," Daniel replied. "Actually. Cynthia, Mr. Voss asked me to work with you on the Dalton feature."
Alexander turned to Cynthia. "Did I?"
Daniel smiled innocently. "You were thinking it."
A pause.
Then Alexander said, "That will be fine."
Cynthia nodded. "I'll send him the files."
"Great," Daniel said. "I'll be at my desk. Watching. Observing. Noticing nothing at all."
Alexander walked away.
Cynthia exhaled slowly