“What about inside work?” he asked.
“He’s just my colleague, sir,” I replied.
He was standing far too close now. I needed air, space—something. So I took a small step back.
He followed.
My heart skipped as I took another one.
He stepped closer again, and suddenly it felt like I was being cornered.
“Um… sir,” I said, raising both hands slightly, “I don’t like how close you’re standing.”
I moved backward as I spoke, but he kept advancing.
“Why?” he asked calmly. “You didn’t seem to mind when Eliot stood close to you.”
I shook my head quickly. “That’s different,” I blurted out.
He stopped.
For a split second, relief washed through me—
Then he reached out.
His hand closed around my arm, firm and unyielding, and he pulled me toward him, like I was weightless.
I collided with his c
