2
The day had felt like an endless rush of meetings, calls, and tasks, but by 6 PM, Amanda felt a sense of accomplishment as she completed the final task on her list. The office was quieter now, the hum of conversation and the clatter of keyboards replaced by the soft rustle of papers.
It had been a long day, but she had kept up, and she was proud of herself.
She gathered her things, slinging her bag over her shoulder, and took a deep breath as she stood up.
She glanced over at Ericka's office, which was still bathed in the warm light from the desk lamp.
Ericka was absorbed in her laptop, the soft glow illuminating her sharp features.
For a moment, Amanda hesitated. She didn't want to overstep, but something inside her urged her to check in.
She walked over to Ericka's door and knocked gently, though she was almost certain Ericka had heard her approach.
"Ms. Matthews?" Amanda called softly, stepping inside.
Ericka looked up, her expression unreadable. "Amanda. Finished for the day?"
"Yes," Amanda said, giving a small smile. "I'm about to head out. I just wanted to check if you need anything else before I go."
Ericka shook her head, the faintest of smiles tugging at her lips. "No, I'm good. I'm headed out too."
Amanda nodded, her gaze flicking to the woman standing behind the desk.
There was something about the way Ericka was sitting that caught Amanda's attention.
Yesterday, Ericka had been so poised, so composed.
But now, there was a slight tension in her posture, her shoulders a little more rigid than usual, and the way she was holding her neck suggested discomfort.
Amanda's instincts kicked in before she could stop herself. "I hope I'm not overstepping," she said, her voice low but clear. "I know it's only my second day, but I noticed a slight change in your posture from yesterday. You've been... a little tense, maybe?"
Ericka raised an eyebrow, but there was no harshness in her gaze, just a quiet, almost amused surprise. "I'm fine, Amanda. Don't worry about it."
But Amanda wasn't convinced. "It's my job to worry about it," she said softly, stepping closer to Ericka's desk. "I just want to make sure you're okay."
Ericka hesitated for a brief moment, her lips pressing together in a tight line. She didn't respond right away, and for a second, it felt like the room had gone still.
Amanda took a step forward, feeling the weight of her decision as she moved around Ericka's desk. She had no idea if this was the right thing to do, but something deep inside told her that maybe, just maybe, Ericka needed this more than she let on.
"Let me help," Amanda said quietly, her voice almost a whisper. Before Ericka could protest, Amanda reached out, her hands gently resting on Ericka's shoulders.
Ericka stiffened for a moment, clearly surprised by the sudden contact, but Amanda didn't pull away.
She began to massage the tension from Ericka's shoulders, her fingers working with careful precision.
The muscles under her hands were tight, strained with stress, but Amanda was careful not to be too forceful.
Ericka's breath caught, and for a moment, Amanda thought she might pull away, but instead, the tension in her shoulders seemed to slowly ease. The silence between them stretched on, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It felt... intimate, in a way Amanda hadn't expected.
"You don't have to do this," Ericka murmured, her voice soft and almost vulnerable. "I'm fine, really."
Amanda didn't stop. She knew Ericka wasn't fine, not completely, and it wasn't just because of the physical tension. There was something deeper—something hidden—and Amanda wasn't about to let her hide it, not when she could help.
"I know you're fine," Amanda said, her voice gentle but firm. "But sometimes, it helps to let someone else take the weight for a minute."
Ericka didn't respond, but Amanda could feel the change in her.
The tension in her shoulders seemed to dissolve, and her breathing became steadier, slower.
For the first time that day, Ericka appeared less like the powerful, unshakable CEO and more like a woman—someone who could need a moment of care and rest.
When Amanda finally pulled her hands away, she let out a quiet breath, as if both of them had been holding it in for a little too long.
Ericka turned her head slightly, meeting Amanda's gaze. There was something in her eyes now, something softened but still guarded. "You should go," Ericka said, her voice low. "Get some rest. You've earned it."
Amanda nodded, though she felt a strange mix of satisfaction and unease as she headed toward the door. She knew she had crossed a line, but it didn't feel wrong. If anything, it felt like the beginning of something—something she wasn't sure she was ready for, but couldn't walk away from.
As she stepped into the elevator and the doors closed behind her, Amanda couldn't shake the feeling that today had been more than just a typical workday. She had seen something in Ericka, something hidden beneath the surface. And she knew, without a doubt, that she wasn't done uncovering it.
The question now was: Would Ericka let her in, or was it too much of a risk?