𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞 / 𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐢 𝐣𝐫

𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞

annalises pov:

another email.

"as part of our compliance review, we ask all
media staff to maintain professionalism and avoid potential conflicts of interest."

the words were polite, but the message wasnt.

________

by midday the whole media floor was whispering.
i could feel it. eyes that lingered too long, conversations that went quiet when i walked past."

until talulah came by, and pulled me into the storage room like we were in a spy movie.

"okay," she whispered "so what did you do?"

"apparently, existed."

"so they know?"

"not exactly. but they suspect and thats enough."

she sighed. "lise, i love you, but this isnt a rom-com. this could actually lose you your job if this blows up."

"i know."

"does he know...?"

i looked down. "yeah, he said maybe we should slow down."

"is that what you want lise?"

"no."

"then dont" she said simply. "but make him promise, he wont make you choose."

_________

later that evening, i sat on my balcony. the city
humming below.
my phone lit up.
it was him.

vini:
are you okay?

they sent another email.

about us?

we both know what it was about.

listen, ive thought about what i said,
how i just left. i was wrong. im sorry lise.
i promise i will never make you feel small
for loving me again.

i dont care what they say.

but you should. this could get worse.

listen lise, i just promised.
i dont break my promises.

and if they find out?

then ill deal with it.
you dont walk away because somebody
tells you your against the rules, not from this,
not from me, lise.

the message lingered on my screen long
after the typing bubbled disappeared.
and for a moment, the fear vanished.

__________

talulah:
you still awake lise?

yeah.

so? have you guys spoken?

he made a promise.

so then trust him.
but be ready lise,
promises get tested.

__________
the next morning

HR wanted to "check in."
it wasn't formal, not yet — just questions that danced around the truth. had i been spending more time on player content? did i feel comfortable maintaining boundaries?
each word felt like walking a tightrope.

afterwards, i stepped out into the hall — and there he was.

vini, waiting by the doorway.

"how bad?" he asked quietly.

"they're watching us," i said. "every move."

he exhaled slowly, eyes searching mine. "then let them watch."

and maybe it was reckless, maybe it was stupid — but when his fingers brushed mine, i didn't pull away.

"are you sure?" i whispered.

he nodded.
"i promised you, lise. i don't break promises."