With that, she lifted the box and strode out, ignoring the surprised, envious, and resentful looks of the office as she made her way to Selena's office.
Selena was reviewing files about product reassignment, but the more she studied the designs, the more frustrated she became. Her expression grew colder, and finally, she tossed the file aside, pressing her fingers to her temples. The stress of managing the situation had taken its toll, and after the morning confrontation with Jasmine, her head was throbbing.
When she heard the knock, she answered curtly, "Come in."
The tiredness in her voice didn't escape Tara, who tightened her grip on the door handle before stepping inside. Selena took off her glasses, setting them aside. A narrow beam of sunlight slipped through the blinds, casting a soft glow over her delicate, fair hands. With her head slightly bowed, she looked almost ethereal, reminding Tara of a storybook sun goddess she'd read about as a child—radiant, powerful, the kind of presence that could fill someone's heart with hope.
Tara set down her box quietly, careful not to disturb her.
Overcome by a sudden burst of courage, she stepped closer and placed her hands gently on Selena's temples, massaging them with light pressure.
Selena's lashes fluttered, and she instinctively grabbed Tara's hand, opening her eyes. When she saw who it was, a small smile broke through her tired expression. Her gaze seemed to say, So, it really was you.
Tara swallowed, her voice soft but warm as she said, "Manager Selena."
Selena's eyes softened, clearly pleased, and she nodded toward the chair beside her, motioning for Tara to sit. "Take a seat. Let's talk."
Tara sat down on the plush leather sofa, directly across from Selena, her eyes inevitably drawn to Selena's long, crossed legs.
"Today's incident was my fault," Selena said, her tone gentle. "You shouldn't have been dragged into it. Tell me what you want; name it."
Tara looked up, her clear eyes holding an unspoken gentleness that even she didn't fully realize. "No need, boss. It wasn't your fault. Besides, I'm happy to be your assistant."
A hint of a smile softened her face, two small dimples framing her faintly pointed canines in a sweet, almost innocent way. Tara had always felt her smile made her look too compliant, but recently she'd found herself smiling more—especially for her boss, who probably preferred a more well-behaved attitude.
Selena handed Tara a neatly bound stack of documents—a detailed job log filled with notes on her new role. Though the tasks were manageable, every page was covered in Selena's meticulously written annotations and instructions.
Standing by the window, Tara quietly read through the stack, the faint rustling of paper calming her. Somehow, warmth from the thoughtfulness of Selena's notes trickled through her fingertips, reaching her heart.
And then her mind turned to that boyfriend who'd somehow ensnared Selena's affections.
The warmth faded as a surge of resentment replaced it. What right did he have to capture Selena's heart like this? Tara, having experienced Selena's kindness, felt a growing sense of duty to help free her from whatever pain he had caused.
As the workday drew to a close, Tara mustered the courage to stop Selena as she prepared to leave. "Boss, would you like to see a movie tonight?"
Thirty minutes later, in the company's underground parking lot…
Selena walked with an elegant stride, her slim heels clicking against the floor. Her jacket hung casually over her arm, and her dark hair was twisted up in a loose bun, exposing her graceful neck and shoulders. Beside her, Tara walked with a grounded, steady gait that hinted at her inner strength. The parking lot's dim lighting softened their features, but as they turned a corner and came into the light, Tara's expression gave away a subtle fierceness beneath her seemingly gentle appearance.
A light breeze passed through the exit. Tara reflexively raised her hand as if to shield herself from it, catching Selena's curious gaze. "Everything alright?" Selena asked.
"Yes. Let's go in. The movie's about to start."
The movie was The Summit, starring Quinna Strauss, a celebrated actress Tara admired for her quiet intensity on-screen. The film explored themes of women's empowerment, which made it a natural choice for Tara. Though she hadn't explained this, she simply told Selena, "I heard it's the latest from an award-winning actress."
As the sweeping soundtrack filled the theater, the movie began.
Tara had thoughtfully bought each of them a drink, choosing warm tea for Selena, both for her health and to avoid any high-calorie snacks. She couldn't be sure if Selena might be on her cycle, so she'd gone for something warm and calming.
Selena rested her hands on her knees, sipping her tea occasionally, relaxed as if on vacation.
Tara watched the screen with one eye, but kept the other on Selena, noticing her neutral expression. Trying to engage her, she leaned over and whispered occasional comments.
"That guy's awful," she muttered about a male character. "He only married Lillian because she was socially acceptable. He never loved her. Men like that can't be trusted. She should leave him while she can."
Another scene later, she added, "Lillian's just too naïve, too hung up on him. She's sacrificed her future for him. She could have been a top lawyer if she'd chosen to follow her ambition instead of clinging to him. Life's too short for pettiness."
At last, Selena stirred, quietly responding to something Tara had said. But the theater was too noisy, and Tara leaned closer. "Boss, what did you say?"
Setting her tea down, Selena gazed at Tara's rounded head as it tilted toward her, suppressing the urge to ruffle her hair. Instead, she leaned forward, close enough that her breath brushed Tara's ear, and murmured, "You sound like you're hinting at something. What exactly are you trying to say?"
Selena's words, warm and fragrant from the tea, floated over Tara's ear, sending a wave of heat through her. Twisting her hands together, she raised her head, meeting Selena's smiling eyes. "Boss, let him go. You really deserve better. Love's great and all, but ambition is even better."
Each word Tara spoke drove a nail into Selena's heart, leaving an unexpected bitterness on her tongue, her tea's sweetness lingering with a sudden hint of sorrow. She couldn't bring herself to respond.
Had Tara discovered her feelings? Was she now framing her words to gently dismiss her?
Selena's smile faded, replaced by a thoughtful expression. Tara watched as her boss's usual lively eyes grew dark, then solemn, until at last they softened, filled with a quiet sincerity. Selena leaned close and whispered, "It's impossible. I care for her too much. After all these years, I finally have a chance, and I can't just give that up. I… I can't."
Though her voice remained gentle, Selena's words pierced Tara's heart, leaving it trembling with emotion.
Selena's whispered confession lingered, and Tara found herself unable to focus on the movie. As scenes flickered across the screen, her mind raced, determined to help her boss out of this "love-stricken" state.
When the film ended, an idea came to her. Earlier, she'd noticed a beautiful blue butterfly specimen prominently displayed on Selena's desk. Tara happened to have a similar butterfly piece herself—she'd gifted it away years ago, but regretted not keeping it.
Blue butterflies like that one were hard to come by, but not impossible. She pulled out her phone, messaging a friend to reserve two tickets for an upcoming butterfly exhibit.