She was calm, but was it just the calm before the storm? That's what Aiden always thinks when he looks at her. He feels his heart pounding in his chest as he gazes into the green eyes of the woman before him. Surely, beneath her calm exterior lies a storm of emotions he cannot yet see or understand, and each day, this mystery frustrates him more. Their gaze seems to suspend time for a moment, and in that tense silence, Aiden feels a cold shiver run down his spine.
In Tatum's eyes, he sees a mix of curiosity, strength, and vulnerability—a fascinating combination that both intrigues and draws him closer to her. Despite his efforts to keep his distance, Aiden starts to wonder if there might be more to this brunette that he cannot uncover, even in the midst of the chaos that surrounds their lives.
"You fell asleep," Aiden whispered, pulling his hand away from her cheek.
Tatum blinked in confusion and raised her hand to check the time. She sighed softly and turned her gaze toward the brunette, who seemed unwilling to increase the distance between them even a bit.
What had gotten into him?
"I'm sorry, sir," she said, sitting up and fixing her dishevelled hair. "I'll have the results tomorrow. Don't worry, the discrepancies aren't too serious—they can be fixed!"
Aiden lifted his gaze toward Tatum, noticing how she was tidying her hair, and her calm words began to dispel some of the storm in his mind. His eyes met hers, and for a moment, all the tension in the room seemed to fade.
"Thank you, Miss Joy," he said, his voice noticeably less strained.
With a faint smile, Aiden stood up and looked around the office, trying to refocus on the matters that needed resolving. Despite the burdens and challenges before him, Tatum's presence brought a ray of light and hope in a moment filled with uncertainty, and he didn't even know why.
Or did he?
As Tatum stood up to gather her things, Aiden noticed the slight fatigue in her movements, her shoulders weighed down by the long day. A thought crossed his mind, surprising him, and before he could think twice, the words were out.
"Let me take you home," he said, his voice steady but softer than usual.
Tatum blinked, slightly taken aback by the offer. She hesitated, glancing out the window toward her parked car just a few feet away. Her brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of concern crossing her features. She opened her mouth to respond, but a memory flashed through her mind, sending a chill down her spine.
*Flashback*
It was a few nights ago. Tatum had been driving home from work late, the streets eerily quiet under the blanket of darkness. She remembered the unsettling feeling that crept in as she noticed a car behind her—its headlights shining like a predator stalking its prey. No matter how many turns she took, the car seemed to follow, always keeping a safe distance but never too far behind.
Her heart raced as she gripped the steering wheel, each stoplight feeling like a countdown. She had tried to shake it off, convincing herself it was just her imagination. But as she parked in front of her building, she remembered glancing in the rearview mirror one last time to see the car slow down, lingering at the corner for what felt like an eternity before disappearing into the night.
*End of flashback*
She couldn't accept this. Firstly, she should protect him, not the other way around. Secondly, it was her battle.
The girl's expression changed radically as if she posed more brightly after the awkward pause. Tatum turned to Aiden, and a playful smile brightened her face.
"I appreciate it, sir, maybe another time when I run out of my car," she replied, a hint of amusement in her voice.
Her smile made Aiden relax, and the tension that had built up between them dissipated. Aiden couldn't help but chuckle lightly.
She left the office tired, walking to her car.
A text came in with an image attachment: a photo of an old, familiar house. Her childhood home.
Unknown: Memories are hard to let go of, aren't they? I prefer to relive mine.