The meeting hadn’t lasted long.
Lucas had been calm, composed—his voice steady but not distant. Riven stood nearby, occasionally adding logistical notes, but it was Lucas who spoke directly to her.
“We wanted to check in,” he said. “Make sure you’re adjusting well.”
Elara nodded, hands folded neatly in her lap.
“I am. The team’s been kind. The work is familiar.”
Lucas glanced at Riven, then back at her.
“We’ve arranged for your apartment lease to extend another six months. Security will remain discreet. If you need anything—resources, relocation, even time off—just let Riven know.”
She hesitated.
“I’m okay. Really.”
Lucas studied her for a moment, then offered a quiet nod.
“That’s all. We just wanted to make sure you’re safe.”
There was something in his tone—soft, almost personal.
But he didn’t linger.
Didn’t ask about the seal.
Didn’t mention China.
And maybe that was intentional.
Elara thanked them both, stood, and left the office with her thoughts folded tightly around her.
Back at her desk, Mina was already waiting.
Eyes wide.
Elbows on the divider.
Curiosity practically vibrating off her.
“Okay, spill. You got called to the President’s office. What happened? Did you break something? Are you getting promoted? Are you secretly dating someone from the top floor?”
Elara laughed, setting her tablet down.
“None of the above.”
Mina narrowed her eyes.
“Then what?”
Elara had already prepared her answer.
“Routine check-in. HR flagged my transfer from Caelure, so they wanted to make sure I was adjusting well. Apartment, workload, safety. That kind of thing.”
Mina blinked.
“That’s it?”
Elara nodded, sipping her water.
“That’s it.”
It wasn’t a lie.
Not exactly.
But it wasn’t the whole truth either.
She didn’t mention the seal.
Didn’t mention Lucas’s quiet gaze.
Didn’t mention the way her name sounded in his voice.
Some things weren’t meant for break room gossip.
Some things were hers alone.
The morning had started out bright.
Sunlight streamed through Elara’s apartment window as she tied her hair into a low ponytail and slipped into her outfit for the day: a soft cream blouse tucked into high-waisted slate gray trousers, paired with ankle boots and a lightweight beige trench coat she left unbuttoned. She didn’t bother with an umbrella. The sky was clear. The air was warm.
But halfway through her walk to Draeven Nexus, the weather turned.
A sudden gust of wind.
Then a drop.
Then dozens.
Rain fell fast—sharp, cold, and relentless.
Elara gasped, clutching her bag to her chest as she broke into a run. Her boots splashed through shallow puddles, her coat flapping behind her. By the time she reached the building entrance, she was soaked.
Her blouse clung to her skin.
Her trousers were damp from the knees down.
Her hair stuck to her cheeks in wet strands.
She stepped into the lobby, shivering slightly as the cool blast of air conditioning hit her.
Of course, the building’s freezing today.
She tried to shake off the water, brushing her sleeves and wiping her forehead with the edge of her coat.
That’s when Mina arrived.
She stopped mid-step, eyes wide.
“Oh no, Elara! You look like you swam here.”
Elara laughed weakly.
“I didn’t think I’d need an umbrella. It was sunny when I left.”
Mina dropped her bag on the nearest bench and started rummaging through it.
“Hold on—I’ve got a towel. And a jacket. You’re going to freeze.”
She pulled out a small folded towel and a navy blue hoodie, slightly oversized.
“Here. Use this. I keep extras in case I spill coffee on myself. Which happens more than I’d like to admit.”
Elara took them gratefully.
“You’re a lifesaver.”
Mina grinned.
“Go dry off in the CR. I’ll cover for you if anyone asks.”
Elara nodded, clutching the towel and hoodie to her chest as she hurried toward the restroom.
Inside, she peeled off her damp coat, patted down her blouse, and wrapped herself in Mina’s hoodie. It smelled faintly of lavender and coffee—warm, familiar.
She looked at herself in the mirror.
Hair damp.
Cheeks flushed.
Eyes tired.
But somehow… she smiled.
Because even on a rainy day, even soaked and shivering, she wasn’t alone.