A Game of Control

Zane's POVThe office buzzes with the usual chaos of a Monday morning, but I can barely focus on the tasks piling up on my desk. Harper's warning echoes in my mind like a persistent drumbeat. I never thought I'd find myself second-guessing my feelings for Ash, but her words lodged a seed of doubt deep in my gut."Zane!" Ash's voice cuts through my haze, pulling me back to the present. He stands in the doorway of his office, his expression a mix of frustration and impatience. "I need those reports on my desk—now.""Right! On it!" I scramble, trying to gather my scattered thoughts as I dive into the task. I type furiously, wishing I could erase the doubts swirling around me. But it's impossible to ignore the firestorm of emotions I feel for Ash, especially when he's right there, looking like he owns the world and everyone in it.The truth is, I'm drawn to him in a way that both excites and terrifies me. I know what Harper said—Ash is dangerous, and being close to him could mean a whole world of hurt. But how can I step back when every time he looks at me, my heart races?After a few minutes, I manage to print the reports. As I walk toward Ash's office, I feel a flutter of nerves. I want to impress him, to show him that I'm more than just a secretary. But what if Harper is right? What if I'm just another pawn in his game?I knock on the door, trying to shake off the unease. "Ash?""Come in," he calls, his voice deep and authoritative.I push the door open, my heart pounding in my chest. Ash is sitting at his desk, his brow furrowed as he reviews a document. When he looks up, our eyes meet, and the air crackles with unspoken tension."I have the reports you asked for," I say, placing the papers on his desk. "Is there anything else you need?"He leans back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Just you, Zane."The casualness of his tone clashes with the intensity of his gaze, and I can't help but feel the heat rise in my cheeks. "I'm just trying to do my job," I reply, attempting to sound nonchalant."Your job?" he repeats, leaning forward slightly. "Or do you want something more? Because we both know what happened the other day..."I swallow hard, caught off guard. "I—""Do you regret it?" he asks, his eyes narrowing, searching for answers in my expression."No!" The word escapes me before I can think. "I don't regret it, but... it complicates things, Ash.""Complicates things?" He raises an eyebrow, his voice dropping to a more serious tone. "Zane, you and I both know this isn't just about work anymore.""Then what is it?" I ask, frustration creeping into my voice. "Are we supposed to pretend it didn't happen?"Ash stands, pacing the room as he processes my words. "I don't know what it is, but I do know that I can't afford distractions right now. This company—my life—is on the line. You have to understand that."His mention of the company feels like a dagger to my chest. I want to scream that he doesn't have to be so cold, that I want him, but I also want to keep my job. "Then what do you want from me? Because I can't just turn off my feelings, Ash."He stops, and the silence stretches between us, thick with tension. "I want you to focus on your work. We'll deal with... whatever this is later."I can't believe what I'm hearing. Is he really pushing me away? I turn away, my heart aching. "Fine. I'll stick to my work," I say, forcing a smile that feels more like a grimace."Good," he replies, though his eyes betray something different. As I walk back to my desk, I feel the weight of his gaze on my back, and a part of me is torn between hope and despair.Ash's POVAs Zane leaves my office, I lean against the desk, running a hand through my hair. What am I doing? I feel like I'm standing on the edge of a precipice, teetering dangerously close to a fall that could ruin everything.I want to let Zane in. I want to explore the possibility of something real between us. But I can't shake the sense of impending doom that lingers in the air. The more I care for him, the more I risk losing everything I've built.My phone buzzes, pulling me from my thoughts. It's Harper again.Harper: I hope you talked to Zane. You can't keep playing games.I scowl at the screen, the annoyance bubbling up inside me. Does she really think I'm playing games? This isn't a game—it's my life.Ash: I know what I'm doing.I don't wait for her reply. Instead, I stare out the window, watching the bustling streets below. The city is alive, full of ambition and dreams. I used to feel that way too, before the world turned me into a shell of my former self. I can't let Zane become another casualty of my choices.But as I replay our conversation in my mind, I can't ignore the nagging feeling that I might be losing him. I've kept everyone at arm's length for so long, but Zane is different. He sees through the walls I've built, and it scares me to death."Dammit," I mutter under my breath. I have to do something before it's too late.As I gather my thoughts, I decide to take action. I can't let Harper's words dictate my feelings or my choices. Zane is worth the risk, and I need to show him that this connection is real.