Clementina's POV
I was standing in the doorway of Davis's home office, observing him and Alexis hunched over financial reports. Their heads were bent close together, Alexis pointing out something on the page, while Davis nodded intently. A pang of jealousy shot through me, suppressed quickly but leaving a bitter taste.
"Mr. Anderson," I said, my voice even. "I have those quarterly projections you wanted me to work on."
Davis looked up and smiled. "Ah, Clementina. Perfect timing. Please, come in.
I stepped into the room, heels clicking on the hardwood floor. The closer I got to the desk, the more easy Davis seemed with Alexis, no tension in him, none of that early strain, post-accident. A part of me was grateful; it was good to see him adjust so well. But another part, a part I tried to ignore, felt threatening.
"I have collated the information from all departments," I said, handing him the thick folder. "I have also included some preliminary analysis on possible areas for growth."
Davis took the folder from me, his fingers brushing mine for a moment. Even that contact sent a shiver down my spine. "Excellent work, as always, Clementina," he said warmly. "What would I do without you?
I couldn't help but let a small smile creep out and enjoyed his approval. "Just doing my job, Mr. Anderson."
Alexis spoke then, her tone soft and respectful. "I am always surprised at the details of your work, Ms. Brooke, you must have an amazing understanding of the company's operations."
I turned to her, searching her face for any sign of insincerity. But all I saw was open admiration. Infuriatingly, she seemed genuinely nice. "Thanks," I replied coolly. "I've been with the company a long time."
Davis chuckled, the deep rumble emanating from his chest, warming me from the inside out. "Clementina's being modest. She's been my right-hand man since I started this company. There's no one more that I trust with day-to-day operations."
My chest swelled with pride at his words, it was tinged with a bitter ache. How many years had I stood by him, supporting him, looking upon him with silent admiration? And yet.
"You're too kind, Mr. Anderson," I said, forcing myself to keep my cool. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a meeting with the marketing team in ten minutes."
As I turned to leave, I couldn't help but catch how Alexis had laid her hand on Davis's arm, huddling in to point out something in the report, the casual intimacy of the gesture turning my stomach.
I was just walking back to the office, my mind racing. I'd watched Davis go through so much over the years , triumphs and setbacks, joy and heartbreak. But nothing had shaken me like seeing him in that hospital bed after the accident, broken and vulnerable in a way I'd never imagined possible.
I closed my office door behind me and gave myself a minute. I slumped forward, leaning against the cool wood and closed my eyes, remembering.
****
The corridor in the hospital had been oppressively still, the fluorescent lights overhead reflecting with a light-green hue. My hands were clutched tightly around the purse as I approached the room number I'd been given.
103. I took a deep breath, steeling myself against what I might find inside.
Pushing open the door, the beeping of the monitors and antiseptic smell of the hospital assaulted me. And there, in the middle of it all, was Davis. My big, boisterous boss was tiny and wan against the white sheets, his body a maze of tubes and wires.
"Mr. Anderson?" I called softly, not wanting to wake him if he was sleeping.
His eyes fluttered open, starting out unfocused before settling on me. "Clementina," he rasped, voice low. "You came."
I moved to his bedside, trying to fight off the welling of tears. "Of course, I came. How do you feel?"
He tried smiling, but it ended up more of a grimace. "Like I've been hit by a truck. Oh wait, I was."
His trying to be funny despite everything bothered my heart. "The doctors say you're going to be okay," I said, trying to infuse some optimism into my voice. "It's going to take some time, but you'll recover."
Davis's face clouded, a shadow crossing over his features. "They told me I might never walk again," he said, and his voice was so flat, so empty. "How am I supposed to run a company from a wheelchair?"
I reached out impulsively, grasping his hand in mine. "We'll figure it out," I said with conviction. "Whatever happens, I'll be here. We'll get through this together."
He squeezed my hand weakly, his eyes welling up with tears. "Thank you, Clementina. I don't know what I'd do without you."
At that moment, he was so vulnerable, so human, I knew how I felt for him. It went deeper than admiration, deeper than respect. It was love, plain and simple. And I knew at that moment I would do anything to get him through this.
****
A knock on my office door jolted me back to the present. I hastily composed myself, smoothing my hair and straightening my blouse. "Come in," I called.
The door opened to reveal Alexis, her ever-present smile in place. "Ms. Brooke," she said politely. "I hope I'm not interrupting."
I gestured for her to enter, curious despite my misgivings. "Not at all. What can I do for you?"
Alexis stepped inside and closed the door behind her. "Actually, I wanted to ask your advice. You know Mr. Anderson so well, and I'm still finding my feet on how best to support him."
I lifted an eyebrow, taken aback by her approach. "Oh? What do you want to know?
She sat on the edge of one of my visitor's chairs, posture perfect. "I noticed that Mr. Anderson can sometimes get quite frustrated during his physical therapy sessions. I was wondering if you had any insight on how to motivate him without pushing too hard."
I leaned back in my chair, watching her. Was this a legitimate request for assistance, or was she fishing for information? "Mr. Anderson responds well to challenges," I said with caution. "He's always been driven to excel. But he also needs to feel in control. The key is to present the exercises as obstacles to overcome, rather than limitations to accept."
Alexis nodded. "That does make a lot of sense. Thank you, Ms. Brooke. Your insight is invaluable."
As she made to stand, I heard myself ask, "Why did you become a caregiver, Alexis? It seems like a challenging work."
She hesitated, a soft smile dancing on her lips. "It is challenging," she agreed. "But it's also incredibly rewarding. Helping people regain their independence, watching them overcome obstacles. There's nothing quite like it."
Her response sounded genuine, yet something in the way she answered bothered me. Maybe it was that, when she spoke it, her voice had a practiced tone to it, as though she had explained that many times before.
After Alexis had left, I couldn't focus on anything. My mind wandered to Davis, to the image of him and Alexis earlier. There was an ease in their interaction, in the growing bond between them, that tugged at me, a very precarious balance that I had so carefully sustained over the years.
I found myself going to Davis's office more than I needed to, always seeming to find some little thing that needed his attention. Alexis was always there when I entered, a steady presence that reminded me how far things had come.
It was late evening when I finally gathered my things and prepared to leave. Passing by Davis's office for the last time that day, I heard the sound of laughter filtering through a partially opened door. Not able to resist, I paused, peering inside.
Davis sat at his desk, but his wheelchair was pushed back, his body lax. Alexis stood beside him, making an impression of someone , one of the board members, I realized with a jolt. She had the man's pompous mannerisms down pat.
"Oh God, stop," Davis choked, wiping tears of mirth from his eyes. "You'll give me a hernia."
Alexis grinned, the act dropping. "Just trying to lighten the mood after that tedious meeting."
I watched Davis's laughter fade into a warm smile. "You certainly know how to do that," he said softly. "I don't know how I managed before you came along."
The tenderness in his voice landed like a physical punch. I stumbled backward, my heart racing with this being so much more than a caregiver-patient relationship. Davis was falling for her, I realized with growing horror. And Alexis. Was she truly as devoted as she seemed, or was there something more sinister at play?
I turned and made my way to the elevator as my mind whirled. I'd given years of my life to Davis and the company. I was there through every crisis, every triumph. And now this woman, this stranger, had wormed her way into his life and heart.
As the doors finally closed, I saw my reflection in the sheen of the metal. My face was pale, my eyes wide with fear and determination. I couldn't let this happen; I couldn't stand by and watch as Davis got hurt again.
Unable to erase from my mind the image of Davis and Alexis laughing together, I moved around my apartment restlessly that night. It should have been me making him smile like that, me helping him through his recovery. But I'd held back, maintained my professional distance out of respect for our working relationship.
Had that been a mistake? Should I have been more open about my feelings? I slumped back onto my couch, placing my face in my hands. No, I couldn't be thinking like this. Davis needed stability now, not complications.
But Alexis. Something about her just didn't sit right with me. Her background check had come back clean, her references impeccable. Yet my instincts, honed over the years in the business world's cutthroat, continued to scream that there was more to her than met the eye.
I stood and moved to my home office. I booted up my computer and continued deeper. Anything in Alexis's past that might be a threat to Davis, I would find. I owe him at least that much.
When the first light of dawn started to seep through my windows, I was still at it, my eyes burning from staring at the screen for hours. I'd found nothing concrete, nothing I could take to Davis as proof of my suspicions. But I couldn't shake the feeling that I was missing something crucial.
I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my tired eyes. It wasn't over. I'd protect Davis, no matter the cost. He'd given me so much over the years,a career, a purpose, a place to belong. I owe him everything.
My gaze fell upon a photo encased in a frame on my desk. It was the company's tenth-anniversary party. Davis stood at the center, a champagne glass raised in toast. I was beside him, my face alight with pride and something more, something I'd always tried to keep hidden.
I reached out, tracing Davis's face in the photo. "I won't let you down," I whispered fiercely. "I'll keep you safe. I promise."
I sat down at my computer with new resolve. Alexis Cooper and her sweet smile had obviously snowed Davis, but I wasn't buying it. Whatever it took, I would get the truth out.
With the sun rising over the now, pink and gold sky, I clenched my fists as an icy resolution started to set in. Davis had had my back through thick and thin, opened every door, affording me opportunities which I had never even dreamed of. Now it was payback time.