The next morning, Alison felt the weight of the previous night's encounter pressing on her. She replayed Henry's words in her mind, how close he had come to opening up to her completely. She felt both guilty and scared by how much her emotions were entangled in the mission now. There was no easy way to compartmentalize anymore.
As she arrived at the office, the atmosphere felt different. Maybe it was just her heightened awareness, but it seemed as though the tension between her and Henry had become palpable. The team sensed it too. Eyes followed her as she walked through the open office space, whispers lingering just beyond her hearing.
The morning's executive meeting was no different. Henry was late, which was rare. He always arrived first, setting the tone for the rest of the room, but today he was noticeably absent as they sat waiting. Alison tried to maintain her composure, but the silence was unnerving.
