Beyond The Fine Line

Chapter LXVIII - Seamlessly Together

A/N: This chapter skips 4 years ahead, so Jay and Sean are now 29 years old. I hope you will enjoy it. Thank you!

A light spring shower misted against the windows, blurring the lines of the city. The rain barely registered, ignored like background noise in the steady midday rhythm. That same pace carried into the firm, where quiet conversations wove through the hum of printers and hiss of coffee machine. The break room buzzed with the kind of excitement only eager-for-gossip new interns and administrative staff could bring.

"How's your first week under Rebecca? I heard she's intense," Jenna asked curiously.

Claire let out a dramatic sigh and dropped into the chair beside her. "I never thought there'd be so much to remember from day one. I figured I would just be answering phones and booking meetings, but I have to juggle partner schedules, make sure confidential files go to the right people, and somehow predict what the lawyers need before they even ask. And if I mess up? Rebecca knows before I do."

"Well, there's a reason she's Head of Administration."

They chatted about their workload over the meal, or rather, Claire was venting about the overwhelming amount of responsibilities she didn't expect while applying for her position to her friend's amusement.

"Laugh all you want," Claire huffed, closing her lunchbox. "At least some of the guys here are nice to look at."

"Now you're talking." Jenna perked up. "And I'm all ears."

"There's Jason – mid-thirties, very elegant, very handsome. Unfortunately, married. Then there's Sean... hot. Very hot. Late twenties and already a senior associate with two master's degrees. No wedding ring, but he wears a black band on his right ring finger. That's probably nothing, right?"

Jenna raised an eyebrow. "Hmm, that's interesting. Maybe it's like a promise ring or something?"

"I was hoping it's simply fashion."

Suddenly, a lady from accounting turned towards them with a slightly scolding tone. "I would advise you to not have any ideas about Miss Anderson's protégé, besides he is..."

"Oh no!" Claire jumped to her feet and dashed away. "I will be late."

She settled back at her desk by the entrance to the executive floor, sorting through the documents Rebecca had assigned her. Suddenly, the door opened, drawing her attention to a man she didn't recognise. Unlike the senior associates and partners, he wasn't dressed in a high-end suit. Still, even in well-fitted dark jeans and an elegant yet casual sweater with sleeves pulled up to his elbows, he carried a refined aura that even the most expensive tailored suit would struggle to match.

Claire scoffed in displeasure as he passed her with a simple nod, engrossed in his phone as he seemed to type an urgent response. Being ignored like this ruffled her feathers, and she stood up, resting her hands on the desk. Only then did she notice two sets of intricate black symbols inked onto his forearms, arranged in vertical lines with incredible precision. Her nose wrinkled slightly. Tattoos. She never understood the appeal – especially ones like these, all cryptic and serious-looking. They seemed so out of place here, in a firm where status and appearance meant everything. He didn't look like he belonged on the executive floor, not with those.

"Excuse me! What do you think you are doing? You can't just walk in like this!"

Caught off guard by the abrupt voice, Jay lifted his gaze from his phone, surprise flickering across his face. His eyes swept the area, expecting to see Rebecca, but when he didn't, his brows drew together in a frown.