Elara paid the taxi driver and stepped out, the city lights fading behind her as she climbed the narrow staircase to her apartment. It was almost midnight. Her shoulders ached from the long day, and her mind was still spinning with everything that had happened — the failed meeting, the long hours with Kane, and that one accidental moment in the elevator she couldn't stop replaying.
When she opened the door, the apartment was quiet except for the faint hum of the ceiling fan. On the couch, little Emily lay fast asleep, her teddy bear tucked tightly in her arms, soft curls falling across her face.
Elara's tired expression softened instantly. She slipped off her shoes and knelt beside her daughter. "Hey, baby," she whispered, brushing a stray curl away. "Mommy's home. I'm sorry I'm late again."
Emily stirred just a little but didn't wake. Elara smiled faintly and kissed her forehead. "Sleep well, my love."
From the kitchen, Mira stepped out, folding her hands in front of her apron. "You're back," she said quietly. "It's late, Elara. You should get some rest."
"I know," Elara sighed, straightening. "Things at work got messy. We had to redo the entire presentation tonight."
Mira frowned. "That boss of yours really makes you work like crazy, doesn't he?"
Elara hesitated. "He's… demanding, yes. But he's fair. Just a little intense."
Mira smiled knowingly. "Intense, hmm? That's one word for it."
Elara rolled her eyes but couldn't help a small laugh. "Don't start."
"I'm just saying," Mira chuckled, picking up her bag. "You deserve some peace. You're young, Elara. Don't let work take everything from you."
"I'm doing this for Emily," Elara said softly. "She deserves a better life."
Mira's expression softened. "She's lucky to have you. Anyway, she had dinner, watched her cartoon, and fell asleep waiting for your goodnight kiss."
Elara's throat tightened. "She waited for me?"
"She always does," Mira said gently. "Now go to bed, alright?"
"Thank you, Mira. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"You'd still manage," Mira smiled. "You always do."
After she left, Elara sat beside Emily, watching her daughter's peaceful face. "One day," she whispered, "I'll give you everything I couldn't have."
---
Across town, in a sleek penthouse overlooking the skyline, Kane loosened his tie and poured himself a drink. Across from him, Nick sat on the sofa, sulking.
"You're late," Nick muttered.
Kane glanced up. "I know. I got caught up at work."
"You always get caught up at work."
Kane sighed, setting the glass down. "Hey, it's not easy running a company. I'm trying here, okay?"
Nick didn't look convinced. "You said this night was our thing. You promised."
Kane walked over and sat beside him. "You're right. I did. And I messed up. I'll make it up to you — name anything."
Nick finally looked at him, arms still crossed. "Anything?"
"Anything," Kane confirmed.
Nick's voice softened. "Emily."
Kane blinked. "Emily?"
"Yeah," Nick said, eyes thoughtful. "I liked her. Can we meet her again?"
For a moment, Kane said nothing. "We'll see, Nick," he said finally, though his tone was quieter, more distant.
Nick smiled faintly. "You always say that."
Kane smirked. "And I always mean it."
But as his son turned back to the TV, Kane's mind drifted — not to work, but to a pair of brown eyes, a shy voice, and the woman who couldn't seem to leave his thoughts no matter how hard he tried.
___
Elara and Kane are in the elevator both tired from the work ,Elara's fingers brushed against Kane's as they simultaneously pressed the button for the ground floor. A sudden surge of electricity coursed through the elevator, causing the lights to flicker and the air to crackle with an almost tangible energy. Their hands remained locked, and in that moment, their eyes met, reflecting the dance of the flickering lights. The world outside seemed to fade away as they leaned in, their lips meeting in a passionate kiss that was as electric as the surge that had brought them together.
Kane's hand, still entwined with Elara's, began to explore her body, tracing the curve of her waist and the swell of her hip. His thumb dipped lower, brushing against the edge of her skirt, teasing her with the promise of more. Elara's breath hitched as she felt his fingers slip beneath the fabric, his touch sending a shiver down her spine. She leaned into him, her body pressing against his, feeling the hard length of him against her stomach. His other hand cupped her cheek, tilting her face up to his, his lips capturing hers in another searing kiss.
Their bodies moved in sync, a dance as old as time, yet new and exhilarating. Elara's hands roamed over Kane's chest, feeling the hard planes of muscle beneath his shirt. She could feel his heart racing,
Elara jerked awake, her breath coming fast. For a moment, she didn't know where she was — her heart thudded loudly in the dark room, her skin damp with sweat. The faint orange glow of the streetlight slipped through the curtains, outlining the familiar shape of her small bedroom.
She sat up, pressing a trembling hand to her chest. It was just a dream.
Her eyes darted around — the desk, the window, Emily's drawings taped to the wall — all real, all safe. But the warmth she felt in the dream still clung to her, burning faintly under her skin.
Kane.
She swallowed hard, brushing a hand through her tangled hair. "Why him?" she whispered to herself. "Why am I even dreaming about him?"
Her pulse refused to settle. The dream had felt too real — his voice close, his hand brushing hers, the way his eyes had held hers just before—
She shook her head quickly, throwing the blanket aside. "No," she muttered, almost angrily. "He's my boss. That's all."
The clock on the wall blinked 3:17 a.m. Elara groaned and got up, heading for the kitchen. She poured herself a glass of water, her reflection faint in the dark window. Her face was flushed, her lips slightly parted.
She hated how easily his image invaded her thoughts — the sound of his voice, that brief moment in the elevator… it was driving her crazy.
A small sound from the next room broke her thoughts — a soft sigh. Emily, turning in her sleep. Elara set the glass down and walked over quietly, tucking the blanket around her daughter.
"I'm okay," she whispered more to herself than to Emily. "It's just work stress… that's all."
But even as she lay back down, pulling the blanket to her chin, Kane's face slipped back into her mind — the way he'd looked at her, his voice low when he said "Focus."
She turned onto her side, staring at the ceiling. "Get out of my head," she whispered into the dark.
The night stretched on quietly, but sleep never truly came again — only the memory of his touch, uninvited and impossible to forget.