LOST LOVE

OFFICE

**Catherine’s POV**

The morning traffic was brutal, making my commute half an hour longer. I rushed to reach my destination on time, skating through the last stretch, much to the amusement of the staff.

Donna follows, then Sebastian, and soon it becomes a mini-race.

Technically, we’re never late. We always arrive just on time.

I dove into the files on my desk, though there was less work than usual. As my colleagues hustled around, I sat at my laptop, pretending to be busy. For the first time, I had some free time at work, but the guilt quickly crept in.

It didn’t last long.

“Who’s free here?” Sara called from the door.

“Me!” Henry answered immediately, raising his hand. He’s always the first to claim he’s available.

“Then go to the boss’s room,” she directed him. But as soon as she mentioned the boss, Henry slowly lowered his hand, suddenly less enthusiastic.

“Why?” he asked, his voice tinged with fear.

“There’s some work to be done,” she explained.

“No way. Cat’s free,” he said, pointing at me.

“Me?” I pointed at myself, feigning ignorance.

“Then get up, Catherine,” Sara said firmly. With no other choice, I shut my laptop and stood, glaring at Henry.

“Go on, Cat, or the boss will get angry,” he teased, winking at me.

“Wait for me, Henry,” I warned, but he just nudged me forward and returned to his video game.

I entered my boss’s office to find Dominic engrossed in a call. I waited for him to finish.

“What are you doing here, Catherine?” he asked, his tone unusually sweet than when he talks with other. It’s always like that with him.

“Sara said there’s some work here,” I replied respectfully.

“Okay, sit here.” He pulled a chair next to him and asked me to bring my laptop over.

I took my laptop and sat in the chair he offered. We were sitting very close, uncomfortably close. The room suddenly felt too hot, especially being this near to him.

I couldn’t help but glance at him occasionally. What they say is true; he really is handsome. His green eyes were focused on the screen, his red lips slightly parted, and his long fingers typed with impressive speed. The top buttons of his shirt were undone.

“Is it hard to concentrate, Cat?” he asked, without looking away from the screen. My face heated up, realizing he’d caught me staring.

“No, I’m working,” I stammered, trying to focus. But my typing speed slowed, and my breath quickened. I forced myself to concentrate on the file in front of me.

“Boss, what should I fill in here?” I asked, pointing to a column on the screen.

He pulled his chair closer to me, our shoulders brushing. He began typing on my keyboard, his hands brushing against mine, sending a jolt of electricity through me.

“Cat, are you hungry?” he asked in a low, husky voice, his lips near my ear. I blinked, wondering if there was a hidden meaning in his question.

“What?” I asked, flustered.

“I mean, do you want food?” he clarified with a laugh, and I felt my face flush with embarrassment.

Dominic picked up the office phone and ordered, “A burger and an orange juice. Fast.”

A few moments later, there was a knock on the door. The assistant placed the burger and juice on the table, exactly as Dominic had ordered.

“I got this for you,” he said, handing me the food.

“Thank you,” I replied shyly. Since when did I start having these feelings?

“You like orange juice, right?” he asked, looking directly into my eyes. I wanted to tell him to stop looking at me like that.

“How did you know?” I asked, taking a bite of the burger.

“I just knew,” he said with a mysterious smile, not elaborating.

“Aren’t you going to eat?” I asked, more out of politeness than anything else. If he wanted some, there wouldn’t be much left. But it was the thought that counted, right?

He turned to me and replied, “I’ll eat something else,” winking playfully.

He continued working on my laptop, answering my questions without breaking his focus. I was still in a bit of a daze but forced myself to get back to work. It was becoming increasingly difficult to concentrate.

After hours of working together, I finally finished the task.

“Done,” I said, leaning back.

Dominic leaned in to check my work. Our faces were inches apart, cheeks almost touching. I could hear his breathing.

“Good,” he whispered. I turned to look at him, and at the same time, he looked at me. Our lips were so close. Just one small move could have made them meet. Our noses brushed against each other. I couldn’t move forward or backward, and he wasn’t backing away either.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

“There’s a visitor for Catherine,” Sara called from outside.

I jumped up and practically ran to the door. If there hadn’t been a knock, what would have happened? I didn’t dare look back at Dominic’s reaction.

I walked to the visitor room and saw Jordan waiting for me.

“Hi, da—” I began, then stopped myself. I’m not his son’s wife anymore. How can I call him Dad? But his response surprised me.

“Call me Dad, Cat, like before,” he said warmly, giving me permission to continue our old bond.

“Why are you here, Dad?” I asked, still a bit hesitant.

“I came to see you, Cat,” he said, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. “How are you?” His eyes glistened with unshed tears.

“I’m fine, Dad,” I assured him.

“I want you to know that I’ll always be here for you,” he said, his voice full of sincerity. “You gave me the honor of being your father, and you’ll always be my daughter.”

“Thank you, Dad.” It was a new joy in my life. After everything with James, I thought I’d lost so much. But now I realize that what’s truly mine will always stay with me.

“How’s work going?” he asked.

“Great, Dad,” I answered with a smile.

“AR Company is the best,” he said, nodding in approval. Yes, working here was the best decision of my life.

“I know, Dad,” I agreed.

“I won’t keep you from your work any longer. But don’t forget this old man. Come home often. I miss our time together—arguing over football teams and cooking together.”

“I’ll come, Dad,” I promised, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders.

I never had a father figure in my life until Jordan. After the divorce, I thought I’d lost that right. But no, I still have a dad who cares for me.

Returning to my desk, I decided not to go back to Dominic’s office. I focused on my work, glad for the solitude of my own space.

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