Page 13 of Tempting My Nemesis

"Fine," I concede, gesturing to the chair across from me. "Let's review."

Zoe settles into the seat, her tablet at the ready. As we dive into the numbers, I can't help but notice how effortlessly she navigates the complex financial landscape. It's... impressive.

The scent of freshly brewed coffee fills the room as I sift through various records, my fingers tapping rhythmically against the polished mahogany desk. My mind wars with itself, fighting to keep at bay the feelings creeping in. I don’t do feelings; they only complicate things.

I take a sip of coffee, its bitterness bringing me back to earth. I’ve always prided myself on keeping every aspect of my life meticulously organized. But Zoe’s presence has been a disruptive force, making me question my certainty in the way I do things.

She’s a distraction, I tell myself. This is just a deal. Keep it that way.

"I’ve started implementing the changes you suggested," she says, flipping through her notes. There’s a hopeful edge to her voice that tugs at something deep inside me.

"Good," I reply, keeping my tone impersonal. "You’ll see improvements within the quarter." I avoid looking at her too long, knowing that even a glance threatens to stir up emotions I don’t want to acknowledge.

She nods, but her eyes linger on me longer than necessary. There’s an unspoken question there, one that makes my chest tighten.

"Is there anything else?" My voice is clipped, a deliberate attempt to maintain distance.

She hesitates before answering. "No, that’s all for now."

As soon as the words leave my mouth, I feel a pang of regret. I know I’m being cold, but if I soften, I’ll lose my grip on the situation.

Zoe’s presence is both unsettling and calming—a paradox that keeps me on edge. She lingers there for a moment longerbefore standing to leave, and for an instant, I want to call her back.

The door closes behind her with a soft click, and the silence feels heavier than it should. I return to my reports, forcing my mind back to numbers and projections. Yet her absence leaves an ache that the comfort of formulas and strategy can’t ease. All I see is Zoe’s face—her hopeful eyes and lingering questions.

The numbers don’t lie, and I notice some impressive improvements at Archer Innovations. A sense of satisfaction settles in. She’s proving herself, integrating my guidance seamlessly into her strategies.

A secure message from SilenceBreakers pings on my screen, and my stomach tightens. I open it, and the encrypted text flashes before me.

CipherClash hit another target. They’re coming for anyone tied to Steele Ventures. Be prepared.

My breath catches. CipherClash is escalating their attacks, getting bolder by the day. The familiar rush of adrenaline surges through me, but it’s tainted with fear—fear for Zoe. I clench my jaw, feeling a cold sweat trickle down my spine as I quickly delete the message.

Zoe walks in, her steps light but purposeful. She’s holding her tablet, her eyes scanning me with concern.

“You seem tense,” she observes, brow furrowing.

I force a smile, though I can feel that it’s unnatural, a mask slipping under the pressure.

“Nothing I can’t handle,” I reply, my voice steady but distant. “Just business as usual.”

Her eyes linger on me, searching for something beneath the surface. “Are you sure? You look… worried.”

“I’m fine.” My tone is curt, professional—a wall between us that I desperately need to maintain. “Focus on the improvements we discussed.”

She bites her lip, clearly unsatisfied with my dismissal, but nods anyway. “Do you think this will really work?”

“If you stick to the plan, yes.” The silence between us stretches, weighted with words I refuse to say. She’s waiting for more, but I won’t give it.

Her shoulders tense slightly before she speaks again. “Caleb, if there’s something going on that affects me or Archer Innovations, I need to know.”

I lean back in my chair, fixing her with a hard stare. “This is beyond your scope right now. Trust that I’m handling it.”

Zoe doesn’t back down; she steps closer instead. “You keep saying that, but how am I supposed to trust you if you keep shutting me out?”

I suppress a sigh and rise from my seat. At 6’3”, I tower over her. My height can be intimidating, something I routinely take advantage of to assert control, but she meets my gaze without flinching.

“Trust isn’t just about knowing everything,” I say quietly but firmly. “It’s about believing that what you don’t know won’t harm you.”

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