The second day after the fight felt worse than the first.
The first day had been shock raw, sharp, unreal.
The second day was quieter.
And somehow, that hurt more.
Cynthia brooks stood in front of the mirror that morning staring at her reflection
She looked the same neat blouse, hair tied back, calm face but inside, everything felt bruised.
She replayed it again.
Alexander lifting her.
His voice tight with concern.
Her dizziness.
Waking up in his house.
And the misunderstanding that followed.
You had no right, she had said accusully
She hadn't listened when he tried to explain.
Now, two days later, the silence between them had grown teeth.
At Voss Art & Media, the office buzzed as usual, but Cynthia brooks felt out of step with it.
She arrived early.
She hoped foolishly that Alexander wouldn't be there yet but he was actually
Alexander voss was standing near the glass wall of his office, jacket already off, sleeves rolled up, posture composed like nothing in his life had gone wrong before the both knew it they eyes met.
Alexander looked away first.
The small gesture hit harder than shouting ever could.
They did not speak.
Not even when their paths crossed by accident near the elevators.
They moved around each other like strangers
Daniel noticed.
Of course he did.
"You two had a fight," he said quietly while pretending to review a document at Cynthia's desk.
She didn't look up. "We're professionals."
"That wasn't an answer.", daniel said before he lift his head from the table
She exhaled slowly. "Drop it, Daniel."
He glanced toward Alexander's office, then back at her. "He hasn't been himself either."
Her fingers tightened around her pen. "That's not my concern.", julianne said nonchalantly
Daniel raised an eyebrow. "You sure?"
She didn't respond.
Alexander, meanwhile, was fighting with himself
Every laugh Cynthia shared with someone else felt louder than it should.
Every time she avoided his gaze felt deliberate.
He replayed that night differently.
She had been drunk. Barely steady.
He had carried her because she couldn't walk.
He had brought her to his house because it was closer and safer.
Midday came with an unavoidable meeting.
The conference room was small. Nowhere to hide.
Cynthia arrived first, sitting at the far end of the table.
Alexander entered moments later then the air around them shifhted
They sat opposite each other, too far and too close
"Let's begin," Alexander said, voice steady, controlled.
Cynthia spoke only when necessary. Her tone was cool, efficient, detached and professional
It hurt more than anger would have.
At one point, their hands reached for the same document,They froze.
Their fingers didn't touch but the awareness did.
Cynthia pulled back immediately.
Alexander swallowed.
"Continue," he said quietly.
After the meeting, she turned to leave.
"Cynthia," he said.
The room emptied. The door closed.
She stopped—but didn't face him.
"Yes, sir?"
The word sir landed like a slap.
"That's not necessary," he said.
"It is," she replied. "At work."
Silence stretched.
"I never meant to cross a line," he said finally.
She closed her eyes. "You still don't understand."
"Then help me," he said, voice lower now. "Because from where I stand, I did what I thought would keep you safe."
"I took responsibility."
"That's not the same thing.", she said "you actually call me names , you said i'm trying to play innocent and all"
His jaw tightened. "I explained."
She shook her head. "This conversation shouldn't be happening."
He took a step back. "You're right."
The distance returned.
The rest of the day dragged.
Cynthia worked.
Alexander managed.
But every glance carried unfinished words.
By evening, the office thinned.
As Cynthia packed up, she felt eyes on her.
Alexander stood by his office door again looking at her
I won't force a conversation," he said quietly. "But I won't pretend nothing happened either."
She hesitated.
"I need time," she said. "To understand my own reaction."
He nodded. "Take it."
"Yes."
Her shoulders softened—just slightly.
But not enough.
"Goodnight, Alexander."
"Goodnight, Cynthia."
She walked away.
Neither noticed Daniel watching from a distance, concern written plainly on his face.