After the Gala
1156 Words
The ride back to Lena’s apartment was heavy with unspoken tension. She sat in the corner of the plush seat, her gaze fixed on the city lights blurring past the tinted windows. Donovan sat opposite her, silent and unreadable, his sharp profile outlined in the dim glow of the car’s interior lighting.
The events of the evening played over in Lena’s mind like a reel on repeat: the subtle battles of power at the gala, Nolan’s unexpected appearance, Michael Grant’s unsettling words. It felt like she’d been thrown into a high-stakes game where every move mattered, and she wasn’t sure she understood the rules.
“You’re quiet,” Donovan said, breaking the silence.
Lena looked up, startled. “Just... thinking.”
He studied her for a moment, his expression softening ever so slightly. “About what?”
“About everything,” she admitted. “That world you live in... it’s intense.”
His lips twitched in what might have been a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “It is. And it doesn’t forgive mistakes.”
Lena frowned. “What about Nolan? Why were you so hostile toward him tonight?”
Donovan’s jaw tightened, his gaze shifting to the window. “He doesn’t belong in my world.”
“Why? Because he’s not one of your billion-dollar buddies?”
Donovan’s gaze snapped back to her, his blue eyes like ice. “Because people like him don’t understand the stakes. He’s playing a game he doesn’t know how to win.”
Lena bristled. “You don’t even know him.”
“I know enough,” Donovan said, his tone final. “And I know that you need to focus, Lena. You’ve done well so far, but distractions like Nolan could cost you everything.”
Lena clenched her fists, her anger simmering just below the surface. “You don’t get to decide who’s a distraction in my life, Donovan.”
For a moment, they stared at each other, the air in the car crackling with tension. Then Donovan leaned back, his expression unreadable once again.
“Fair enough,” he said quietly.
The rest of the ride passed in silence.
The Next Morning
Lena arrived at Steele Innovations the next morning, still grappling with the events of the gala. Her night had been restless, her mind circling around Donovan’s words, Nolan’s appearance, and the subtle but undeniable friction between the two men.
As she stepped off the elevator onto the executive floor, she was greeted by the sharp click of Amelia Grant’s heels.
“Good morning, Ms. Moreau,” Amelia said, handing Lena a folder. “Mr. Steele has a packed schedule today. He’ll need you in the conference room at ten for a product development review, and he’s requested that you compile notes on last night’s investor interactions before lunch.”
Lena nodded, tucking the folder under her arm. “Anything else?”
Amelia’s gaze flicked toward Donovan’s office. “He’s in a mood this morning. Be prepared.”
“Great,” Lena muttered under her breath as Amelia walked away.
Taking a deep breath, Lena knocked on Donovan’s office door before stepping inside.
Donovan was seated at his desk, his sharp features set in a mask of concentration as he reviewed a document on his tablet. He looked up as she entered, his expression cool but focused.
“Ms. Moreau,” he said, gesturing for her to sit.
Lena took a seat, placing the folder on the desk between them. “You wanted to see me?”
Donovan set the tablet aside, leaning back in his chair. “I wanted to talk about last night.”
Lena’s heart skipped a beat. “What about it?”
Donovan’s gaze pinned her in place. “Michael Grant.”
“What about him?”
“He’s not just a competitor,” Donovan said, his voice low. “He’s dangerous. If he approaches you again, I want you to tell me immediately.”
Lena frowned. “Dangerous how?”
Donovan’s expression darkened. “Let’s just say he doesn’t play fair. And he has a habit of exploiting people’s weaknesses.”
Lena crossed her arms. “What about mine?”
Donovan’s lips curved into a faint smirk. “That’s what I’m trying to prevent.”
The remark caught Lena off guard, and for a moment, she wasn’t sure how to respond.
“What are you really worried about, Donovan?” she asked, her voice softer now. “That he’ll hurt me, or that he’ll use me against you?”
For the first time, Donovan hesitated. His jaw tightened, and his gaze shifted to the window.
“Both,” he admitted quietly.
The vulnerability in his voice was unexpected, and it sent a strange ache through Lena’s chest.
“I can take care of myself,” she said, her tone firm but not unkind. “I’m not some damsel who needs saving.”
Donovan’s gaze snapped back to hers, and this time, there was a flicker of something raw and unguarded in his expression.
“I know,” he said. “But that doesn’t mean I’ll stop trying.”
A Warning from Nolan
That evening, as Lena left the office, she found Nolan waiting for her outside the building. He was leaning casually against a lamppost, his hands in his pockets, but his expression was anything but relaxed.
“Nolan,” she said, surprised. “What are you doing here?”
“I figured we should talk,” he said, falling into step beside her as she walked toward the subway station.
“About what?”
“About Donovan,” Nolan said, his voice low. “And about last night.”
Lena sighed, running a hand through her hair. “Look, I know you don’t like him—”
“It’s not about liking him,” Nolan interrupted. “It’s about trusting him. You think he’s just a complicated guy with a tragic backstory, but Lena, he’s dangerous. Guys like him—they don’t care who they hurt as long as they get what they want.”
“That’s not fair,” Lena said, her voice rising. “You don’t know him.”
“And you do?” Nolan shot back. “How much has he actually told you, Lena? Do you even know what you’re walking into?”
Lena stopped in her tracks, her heart pounding. “What are you trying to say, Nolan?”
“I’m saying you deserve better,” Nolan said, his voice softening. “You deserve someone who sees you, not just what you can do for them.”
The weight of his words hung between them, heavy and unspoken.
“Nolan,” Lena began, but he shook his head.
“You don’t have to say anything,” he said, his smile bittersweet. “Just... be careful, okay?”
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Lena standing alone on the sidewalk, her mind spinning.
- Writer
