Chapter 6 Focus

The days following the site visit felt different. It wasn't just the work or the endless spreadsheets that filled my days. It was something else-something unspoken between me and Elliot.

Every time our paths crossed, I couldn't help but notice the way his gaze lingered on me, how his words seemed sharper, more deliberate. Maybe it was just me, overthinking things again. But deep down, I knew something had shifted between us. That site visit wasn't just another day on the job. It had been a test, one that I hadn't entirely passed, but I wasn't about to let that get in my way.

I had a job to do. The work came first, everything else second.

But that didn't stop the knot in my stomach every time I thought about Elliot. About the way he looked at me when I offered solutions, when he saw me working alongside him like I belonged there. There was something about the way he saw me-something I couldn't put my finger on. But whatever it was, I didn't think I wanted to explore it. Not yet.

I had dinner plans with Mark that night, a casual get-together to discuss a few things regarding the project. As I walked into the restaurant, I spotted Mark at a corner booth, already waving me over. I made my way to him, my thoughts still lingering on Elliot and the day's events.

"Clara," Mark said, his usual relaxed smile in place. "Good to see you."

"Same here," I said, taking a seat across from him. "So, what's on the agenda tonight?"

"Well, first, I just want to say you're doing an amazing job," Mark said, leaning forward. "You've really stepped up, especially with Elliot breathing down your neck. That can't be easy."

I gave a small smile, the praise always feeling nice but a little awkward. "Thanks. It's a challenge, but I'm managing."

"More than managing," he said with a grin. "You're holding your own. It's impressive, Clara."

I shrugged, not knowing how to respond. The truth was, I had no idea what was going on with Elliot. I didn't understand why he was pushing me, why he seemed to take such a keen interest in my every move. Was he testing me? Or was it something else?

"I just need to make sure I'm not messing up," I said. "I don't want to get anything wrong."

Mark's smile faded slightly. "You're doing fine. But I know that look. You're getting too caught up in it. Trust me, no one expects you to be perfect, not even Elliot."

I felt a pang of doubt, something I hadn't expected to feel after everything I'd accomplished. "I don't know," I said, running my fingers through my hair. "I can't help but feel like he's watching me more than anyone else. It's... unsettling."

Mark studied me for a moment, then leaned back in his seat. "You know, Elliot's not an easy guy to read. He's got his own way of doing things, and sometimes it feels like he's testing everyone around him. But don't let that get in your head."

I nodded, but the doubt still lingered. What was it about Elliot that made everything feel so... complicated?

---

Elliot's POV

I had seen Clara in action over the last few days, and I had to admit, I was impressed. Her sharp mind and ability to handle pressure were beyond anything I expected from someone so new. But there was more to her than just her competence. It was something I couldn't ignore-the way she held her ground, the way she spoke her mind without hesitation. She was a force, and it was becoming increasingly clear that I couldn't just let her slip through the cracks.

As I sat in my office that evening, going over some reports, I found my thoughts drifting back to her. Clara. Her quick solutions. Her ability to challenge me, even when I didn't expect it. It made me wonder... what was driving her?

I couldn't afford to get too distracted. The work needed to come first. But I knew, deep down, there was something between us, something I couldn't deny.

I stood up, looking out the window at the city below. The lights were starting to twinkle, and for a moment, I let myself wonder if this-this tension, this strange pull I felt when she was around-was something I should act on. Or was it just another one of my fleeting obsessions?

I turned back to my desk and picked up my phone. I needed to focus, not let personal distractions get in the way. But I couldn't stop thinking about her.

---

The following day, as I entered the office, I was greeted by a sea of emails and reports. But then something caught my eye: a message from Clara.

I've been reviewing the latest projections, and I think I found a flaw in the assumptions. We should meet to discuss.

I stared at the message for a moment, wondering if she was just being thorough or if she was trying to prove something. I already knew Clara was smart-too smart to let something slip through the cracks. But there was something about her suggestion that made me curious. I couldn't help it. I had to see what she had found.

I grabbed my jacket and headed to her office.

When I arrived, Clara was sitting at her desk, papers scattered around her, a look of intense concentration on her face. She looked up as I walked in, a small, uncertain smile on her lips.

"You asked for me?" I said, leaning against the doorframe.

She stood up and gestured for me to sit. "I found something. The current market trends we're relying on might be skewed, and I've been reworking the assumptions."

I sat down, intrigued. "Tell me more."

She began explaining her analysis, pointing to the charts she had updated, the numbers she had recalculated. As she spoke, I could see the passion in her eyes-the same passion that had drawn me to her in the first place. But there was something else there too. A hidden uncertainty, something she wasn't saying.

I leaned forward, studying her carefully. "You've been working on this for a while."

She nodded, her gaze flickering briefly. "I just thought it was worth looking into. It could change some of our projections for the next quarter."

I couldn't help but admire her dedication, the way she wasn't afraid to dig deeper, to question what others might overlook. But as I looked at her, something else nagged at the back of my mind.

There was more to her than she was letting on. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I knew it was only a matter of time before everything came to a head.

And that was when I realized: this wasn't just about the project anymore. It was about something else entirely.