Chapter 4 Four

A week had passed since my encounter with the enigmatic Raphael, yet his presence lingered in my thoughts like an inescapable shadow.

Here I was at work, alone. Why, you might ask? Because Charles and Caroline, my closest colleagues, had violated the company's strict no-dating policy. Their romantic entanglement forced them to find employment elsewhere, leading to their relocation to another state. I missed them dearly, but life went on, indifferent to my sentiments.

I continued my routine-eating, sleeping, working, occasionally working out (wink), and going on dates. Well, two dates, to be precise, both of which were absolute disasters. No matter who I met, I found myself comparing them to Raphael. Why? I couldn't say. It was as though I craved him far more than was healthy or rational.

Each night, his face and touch haunted me, tormenting me with memories I couldn't shake. Raphael had taken over my thoughts, leaving no room for anything-or anyone-else. Not even Charles, who once occupied so much of my mind. What was happening to me?

That morning, as I grabbed my coffee from the cafeteria, I joined my colleagues on the way to the announcement hall. The CFO had called a meeting to share some critical updates and introduce someone important.

Kyle fell into step beside me, his usual confident stride making him seem taller than his five-foot-eight frame actually allowed. He was dressed in a crisp blue shirt, his signature black-rimmed glasses perched on his nose.

Kyle had an effortless charm about him-witty, brilliant, and always armed with some playful quip. Though, it hurt to see someone so free-spirited, be in love with the CFO of our company. The unrequited love thing, was something I had so much experience in, and didn't want anyone to experience.

"Girl, you need to give me your hairstylist's number," Kyle said, handing me a macaron he'd swiped from the cafeteria. "This shade of brown looks amazing on you. Seriously, damn!"

I smiled sheepishly, accepting the treat. "You do know I dyed it myself, right?"

Kyle gasped dramatically, clutching his chest as if I had just confessed to arson. "You mean to tell me that these rich, chocolatey strands-" he reached out, brushing my hair before I smacked his hand away, "-are the work of your own hands?"

I rolled my eyes, biting into the macaron. "Yes, Kyle. I'm not just a pretty face, you know."

"Oh, trust me, I know." He wagged a finger at me. "Brains, beauty, and an impressive knack for avoiding men who are actually good for you. A triple threat."

I scoffed. "Excuse you?"

Kyle leaned in conspiratorially. "Come on. Two dates, two disasters. I need details."

I groaned, taking a sip of my coffee. "Do I have to?"

"Oh, absolutely," he said, his grin widening. "Your pain brings me joy."

I sighed, giving in. "Fine. Date number one was with this guy from HR.."

"Wait, wait, wait," Kyle interrupted, raising a hand. "You dated someone from HR? You do know they're basically the company's personal FBI, right? Why would you willingly subject yourself to that level of scrutiny?"

"Trust me, I didn't know he worked in HR until he started asking me about my sick leave history over dinner."

Kyle snorted, covering his mouth. "You're lying."

"I wish," I muttered. "And when I told him I didn't want to talk about work, he switched topics... to the company's retirement plans. I barely made it through dessert before I faked a stomachache."

Kyle wheezed. "Oh my God, you poor thing. And the second guy?"

I winced. "Finance bro. All he talked about was cryptocurrency and why I should 'diversify my assets' by investing in his start-up."

Kyle doubled over, laughing so hard he nearly spilled his coffee. "Please tell me he at least paid for dinner."

I shook my head. "Nope. He said, and I quote, 'Strong women should be independent in all aspects, including financially.'"

Kyle gasped. "The audacity! The sheer, unmitigated gall!" He clutched my arm dramatically. "I'm so sorry for your loss. That must have been traumatic."

"It was," I deadpanned.

Kyle patted my shoulder. "Don't worry, my love. One day, a decent man will waltz into your life and sweep you off your feet."

I hummed in response, but my mind betrayed me, immediately conjuring an image of Raphael.

Kyle narrowed his eyes. "Oh no. That face. I know that face."

I blinked. "What face?"

"The 'I'm thinking about a man who is bad for me but I can't help myself' face." He squinted at me. "Spill."

I hesitated. "It's nothing."

"Oh, that means it's something. And given how often you talk about men-which is never-it must be huge." He leaned closer. "Who is he?"

I shook my head, hoping to deflect. "It's no one."

Kyle studied me for a moment, then gasped. "Wait. Oh my God. Is it the mystery guy you ran into last week? The one you refused to give me details about?"

I tensed.

Kyle's eyes widened. "It is, isn't it?"

I groaned. "Kyle, can you please drop it?"

"Oh, absolutely not." He grabbed my arm, his voice low and conspiratorial. "What did he do to you? Was it good? Wait-was it bad but in a way that made it good?"

I smacked his arm. "Kyle!"

He cackled, unfazed. "Come on, just tell me his name."

I hesitated. Saying Raphael's name felt dangerous, like invoking something I couldn't control. But Kyle was relentless.

I sighed. "His name is Raphael."

Kyle's brows shot up. "Oh. That is a sexy name."

I couldn't argue with that.

Before Kyle could press me further, the sound of a microphone being tapped caught our attention. Annabel stood at the podium, waiting for silence.

Kyle sighed dramatically. "Fine, you're saved. But this conversation is far from over." He said, looking up to Annabel, and smiling.

"Doesn't she just look so Amazing, and beautiful ?". He said, his eye filled with admiration.

I shook my head. He had the same look I always had for Charles.

Annabel spoke briefly before diving into the matter at hand: the company had been acquired, and we were about to meet our new CEO. Strangely, Annabel seemed genuinely pleased-her smile hinted at admiration, maybe even excitement.

"Please give a warm round of applause for Mr. Joaquin Raphael Steel," she announced, her voice ringing with authority.

The applause thundered around me, but my world stood still. All the color drained from my face. My stomach twisted in knots as realization struck. No. It couldn't be. Not him.

But then, there he was. Raphael. The man who had haunted my thoughts for days.

Annabel greeted him with a warm embrace and placed a kiss on his lips. His expression briefly flickered with displeasure before returning to its stoic neutrality.

Kyle leaned closer. "Is it just me, or does he look like he'd rather be anywhere else?"

I couldn't respond. My throat had closed up.

Kyle, oblivious to my internal panic, continued. "I mean, don't get me wrong, Annabel is stunning, but that was the stiffest kiss I've ever seen. Like, does he even like her. I would die to get a kiss from her, he doesn't know how rare what he just got is".

The applause subsided, and the room was enveloped in tense silence. He hadn't noticed me-yet. I did my best to shrink into invisibility, but there was nowhere to hide.

Then, for the first time, I saw him smile.

It wasn't a friendly smile-it was the kind a predator gives its prey.

I swallowed hard.

I was trapped. Doomed.