Chapter 10
Laura
I arrive at the office early as usual, a fresh cup of coffee in hand for Mr. De La Cruz. But when I enter his office, I find him hunched over his desk, massaging his temples.
“Sir? Are you alright?” I ask.
He looks up, eyes bloodshot, a scowl etched into his features. “Does it look like I’m alright?” he snaps. “Stevens, must you ask such stupid questions?”
I recoil at his harsh tone, a flush of embarrassment heating my cheeks. So much for hoping yesterday had been an isolated incident. When will I learn that there are no “good days” with Dallas De La Cruz?
Biting my tongue to avoid a retort I will surely regret, I set his coffee on the desk with a trembling hand. He didn’t even glance at the offering, too absorbed in the papers scattered before him.
I stand for a moment, unsure whether he requires anything further. But it seems I have already proved incompetent enough for one day. Best to make a hasty retreat before I make things worse.
With a quiet “Let me know if you need anything else, sir,” I turn to leave, clutching at the door handle like a lifeline. His irritated sigh follows me into the hall, grating against my frayed nerves.
Once the door closes behind me, I lean back against the wall and closed my eyes. How did I get myself into this mess? When I pictured my dream job, this isn’t what I had in mind. But I am committed to this path, and I won’t give up . Even if it kills me.
I take a deep breath and steel my resolve. If Mr. De La Cruz wants to treat me like his personal punching bag, he has another thing coming. I won’t cower at his temper or shrink under his criticism.
Squaring my shoulders, I march back into his office. He glances up at my entrance, one dark eyebrow rising in surprise.
“Yes, Miss Stevens? Have you lost something else so soon?” His tone is biting, meant to cut me down to size.
But I won’t give him the satisfaction. “I won’t tolerate being spoken to this way,” I say.
He blinks, taken aback by my nerve. “I beg your pardon?”
“Yelling at me, snapping at me, criticizing me at every turn,” I continue, meeting his gaze without flinching.
“I understand you may have impossibly high standards, but there’s no call for rudeness.
I am not a mind reader, sir. If I’m not meeting your expectations, you’ll need to communicate that to me clearly and directly. ”
Mr. De La Cruz opens his mouth as if to issue a scathing retort, then seemed to think better of it. He studies me for a long moment, dark eyes probing. I refuse to look away, willing him to see I mean every word.
He leans back in his chair with a considering hum. “Miss Stevens, you continue to surprise me.” His tone softens, the harsh edge gone. “My apologies.”
I release a breath, relief washing over me in a flood. My gamble has paid off. I can tame the beast, after all.
“I’m not accustomed to being challenged in such a manner,” he admits, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s no excuse, but I’ve been under a great deal of strain as of late. I took it out on you, and I’m sorry.”
His words ring with sincerity. Remembering the rumors of troubles at the firm and setbacks with important clients makes me stop for a second. He is only human, after all.
“Apology accepted,” I say. “I understand this job can be stressful. Perhaps we can start over?”
I extend a hand across the desk. After a brief hesitation, he clasps it in his own forceful grip, the ghost of a smile lightening his features. “A fresh start would be most welcome. I look forward to a more harmonious working relationship, Miss Stevens.”
“As do I, Mr. De La Cruz.”
As I leave his office, a warm glow suffused my limbs. The beast had been tamed, and the adventure is only just beginning.
After our heart-to-heart, the animosity between us has vanished, replaced by a newfound understanding and camaraderie.
Mr. De La Cruz greets me with a nod and a “Good morning, Miss Stevens,” his tone friendly instead of brusque. I smile at him, noticing again the gold flecks in his eyes.
“The Anderson files for the merger need to be reviewed by this afternoon,” he says. “Would you join me for lunch so we can discuss the details?”
My heart skips a beat at the invitation. “I’d be happy to.”
Over sandwiches from the deli down the street, we talk and laugh like old friends. The chemistry between us is undeniable, a crackling energy that leaves me breathless with delight.
When he reaches across the table to brush a stray crumb from my lip, the simple touch sends a jolt of electricity through me. I freeze, catching in his smoldering gaze, my lips parting in invitation.
For a moment we stay there, poised on the edge of something new, full of promise and passion. Then he pulls away, a flush staining his cheeks, and clears his throat.
“We should, um, head back. Much work left to do.”
I blink, struggling to regain my composure. “Yes, of course.”
This is inappropriate. Mr. De La Cruz is my boss. No matter the attraction between us, a relationship can never happen.
I take a deep breath and steady my nerves. Back to business as usual, though the memory of almost-kiss will linger, a bittersweet taste of what might have been.
As we leave the cafe and head back to the office, a new tension hums between us. Things have shifted, a line crossed that can’t be uncrossed, though we didn’t speak of it.
When the elevator doors slide shut, trapping us in the small space, my heart stutters. I stare at the floor numbers, hyper aware of his body mere inches from mine.
The doors open, releasing the pent up energy between us in a rush. I hurry to my desk, burying myself in the stack of files that awaited.
Through the rest of the afternoon we dance around each other, the memory of that charged moment as an elephant in the room. More than once I glance up to find Mr. De La Cruz watching me, an unreadable expression in his eyes.
I leave work that day feeling off balance and confused. Never did I experience such a visceral reaction to someone, and to have it be my boss, of all people!
Yet there it is, this undeniable attraction I can’t ignore.