~ Rewritten Fates ~

Chapter 13 - A Place of Trust

One Month Later :

Henry sits at his desk, focused on his laptop as Nora hovers nearby, offering suggestions and brainstorming ideas. The atmosphere is busy, but Henry remains in his element, deeply immersed in his work.

In contrast, Alex sits alone in his cabin, isolated from the rest of the office. The events of the past month-his confrontation with Miguel and the emotional toll it took-continue to eat away at him. Every passing moment feels heavier, and the guilt and fear gnaw at him, making it impossible to concentrate. His eyes are distant, and he struggles to shake off the weight that's been building inside him.

Alex watches Henry on the CCTV feed, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Why do you always feel so special to me, Henry?" he mumbles softly, his eyes fixed on the screen.

Suddenly, Rafael enters the room, breaking Alex's thoughts. Alex quickly switches the screen, feigning focus on his work. "Alex, what's up?" Rafael asks, his tone casual but observant. "I'm fine..." Alex responds, looking up at Rafael, masking the turmoil within him.

Rafael takes a seat opposite Alex, his eyes studying him casually. "You look exhausted. Are you sure you're okay?" he asks, concern evident in his voice. Alex blinks, trying to keep his composure. "Yeah... I'm fine, Raf. Thanks," he replies, though his voice lacks conviction. Rafael stays silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on Alex as he observes his friend's strained demeanor, sensing something deeper is troubling him.

"Can I come in?" Henry asks, knocking on the door. "Y-yes." Alex breathes out, trying to steady himself. Henry enters, holding a laptop in his hands. "Uh... actually, I'm here to show you the final design of the new logo," Henry says, glancing at Alex. "Yes, show us," Rafael responds.

Henry opens the laptop and displays the design. As he stands next to Alex, both their heartbeats quicken, the proximity creating an unspoken tension between them.

"Well done, Henry, I love it. This is gonna be our new logo!" Rafael says, smiling as he senses the silent tension. "Thank you, sir," Henry replies, feeling a bit flustered. "Anyway, you two talk, I'll meet you soon," Rafael says with a knowing smile before leaving the cabin.

>>>>>>

"You're great, Henry," Alex says, his eyes lingering on him. Henry tries to hide the blush creeping onto his face, but it's no use. Alex notices and smirks. "You look cute when you're blushing," he adds with a playful wink.

Just then, Alex's phone buzzes. He glances at it, and his smile fades instantly. The message reads: 'Meet me at our favourite bar.' - it's from Miguel. Alex's heart sinks-this psycho isn't going to leave him alone anytime soon..

"Are you okay, Alex? Is something wrong?" Henry asks, noticing the sudden change in Alex's expression.

Alex looks up at him, trying to shake off the unease. "Uh...yeah. Actually, you know what? Do me a favor!" he says, attempting to shift the conversation. His voice is steady, but there's a hint of urgency behind it.

~~~~~~

Alex arrives at the bar exactly when Miguel requestes. He steps inside, scanning the room with a mix of apprehension and determination. "Alex! I knew you'd come." Miguel calls out, approaching him with an enthusiastic grin.

Just as he goes to hug Alex, he freezes, his expression shifting to shock as he spots Henry standing behind Alex. The atmosphere thickens with unspoken tension, and Alex feels the weight of the moment as Miguel's demeanor changes.

"What is he doing here?" Miguel demands, his eyes narrowing as he glares at Alex. "We got our new logo today, so I took him here to celebrate," Alex replies with a wicked smile, glancing at Henry, who returns the gesture.