Chapter 49
Theo and Daphne
The conference room buzzed with the quiet hum of voices and the shuffling of papers. Theo stood at the head of the table, his imposing figure commanding attention. His crisp navy suit and sharp jawline made him look every inch the executive he was.
Daphne sat a few seats down, her notebook open, a pen tapping rhythmically against its pages as she listened intently, her eyes watching the man she was so in love with but couldn't have. She watched him leaned over the table, pointing to a set of blueprints spread across its surface.
"If we shift the atrium closer to the east side, we can maximize foot traffic near the main entrances and encourage higher retail sales," Theo said. "It's the smartest move."
Daphne's brow furrowed as she examined the plans. Her voice cut through the murmurs of agreement from the other team members. "It's smart from a sales perspective, but you're ignoring how it affects the flow of the space. Crowding the atrium to the east disrupts the balance of the entire design. It feels rushed."
Theo paused and looked up.
"Rushed?" He arched hisbrow. "This is about efficiency. The data supportsâ"
"The data isn't the only thing that matters," Daphne interrupted, her cheeks flushing as she sat up straighter. Her voice rose a notch but it seemed to echo dramatically in the room. "This mall is supposed to be more than just a shopping space. It's a community hub. If we compromise on the experience to chase numbers, we're going to alienate the very people we want to attract."
The room grew tense as the team exchanged glances. Theo's jaw tightened, but instead of snapping back, he leaned his hands on the table, meeting Daphne's gaze head-on. His voice dropped to a measured tone. "I respect your vision, but the numbers don't lie. Profitability has to be a priority."
Daphne held his gaze, her resolve unshaken. "And so does integrity. If we sacrifice that now, what's the point of building this mall at all? People will remember how they feel in the space, not your revenue chart."
The team members glanced between the two, caught in the crossfire of their opposing energies. For a moment, the air stopped flowing through the room.
Theo finally straightened, and pushed his hands into his pockets. He cleared his throat and looked around at their team.
"Can you all excuse us a moment, please," he requested.
Daphne's jaw clenched as she sat firmly in her seat. Everyone around her rose from the seat and hurried out as if eager to leave the room. Theo sat down on the edge of the table as the room emptied.
Once the door closed, the pair sat motionless, listening to the silence before Daphne spoke up.
"What was that for?" She asked.
"I don't want an audience when you're yelling at me."
Theo's response hung in the air, his voice calm but tinged with exhaustion. Daphne's eyes narrowed, her hand gripping the edge of the table.
"Yelling at you?" she echoed, incredulous. "I wasn't yelling. I was making a pointâone that, might I add, everyone else seemed to understand."
Theo leaned forward slightly, a small smirk playing at his lips despite the fatigue etched across his face. "You weren't yelling yet. It was only a matter of time before things escalated."
Daphne scoffed, crossing her arms. "Don't act like you're some kind of martyr here. You shut down every idea that doesn't align with your numbers like it's a personal vendetta against creativity."
Theo ran a hand over his scruffy jaw, his thumb brushing against the stubble. "You think this is about shutting you down? It's not personal. I'm trying to get this project done on time and under budget. That's my job."
"And my job," Daphne shot back, her voice rising slightly, "is to make sure this place doesn't feel like just another soulless money pit. You can't slap a price tag on every decision and expect it to work out perfectly in the real world, Theodore."
His gaze flicked to her. For a moment, he didn't respond, his silence making her shift uncomfortably in her seat. Finally, he sighed and stood, towering over her as he moved toward the blueprints.
"You're passionate. I'll give you that," he said, his tone quieter now. "But passion doesn't keep the lights on, Sunshine."
"And greed doesn't make people love a space," Daphne countered, her eyes locked on him. She was so close, she began to notice all the little details of his face.
Theo's posture was as commanding as ever, but up close, there were cracks in the polished facade. The sharp lines of his jaw were shadowed by a faint scruff, the kind that hinted he hadn't bothered to shave in a few days. His tie was slightly askew, and the usual brightness in his dark eyes seemed dulled, weighed down by fatigue.
Daphne hesitated to speak. Normally, Theo radiated an almost unnerving control, but now, he looked... human. Worn. Vulnerable, in a way that made something stir in her chest.
"You look tired," she said softly, the words sleeping out before she can stop herself.
Theo glanced up, startled by her observation. His brow furrowed slightly, and he gave her a small, dismissive shrug.
"Long nights," he muttered. "Part of the job."
Daphne's lips pressed into a line as she studied him more closely. The fine creases around his eyes were more pronounced, and there was a subtle slump to his shoulders that she'd never seen before.
"You should take a break," she said, the concern in her voice more genuine than she intended. "You're not invincible."
Theo chuckled softly, a sound that was more weary than amused. "Invincible, no. Stubborn? Definitely." His attempt at humor didn't quite mask the exhaustion etched into his features.
For a moment, Daphne debated saying more. She sat holding Theo's gaze, feeling her insides twist and her throat burn from the pressure. Her chest tightened, each breath a little harder to take as her eyes began to sting.
He was so close.... So close she could smell him. Every part of Daphne wanted to close the distance between them and run her fingers through his hair. She wanted to hold his face and let his head rest on her shoulder, listen to him breathe as he caught up on the sleep he was so clearly missing.
But she couldn't. And knowing she couldn't was like a knife twisting inside her soul.
Theo, noticing the shimmer in Daphne's eyes, opened his mouth. His features softened, his eyes filling with a look of longing that made Daphne's stomach churn.
"Babyâ" he began, his voice a gentle murmur that carried too much tenderness, too much familiarity.
The word sliced through her like a blade. Daphne jumped to her feet, her chair scraping loudly against the floor. She couldn't bear to hear him speak to her in that tone, calling her baby as if they were still together, as if everything hadn't already fallen apart.
Her hands trembled as she clutched her notebook to her chest, her knuckles white. The tears that had threatened to fall now blurred her vision completely, and the lump in her throat felt unbearable.
"I can'tâ" she choked out, her voice breaking before she could finish the thought.
She turned on her heel and rushed out of the conference hall, her heels clicking loudly against the polished floor. To her luck, the halls were empty. The sound of her breathing echoed in the quiet space, quick and uneven.
She barely made it to the bathroom before the tears spilled over. Shoving the door shut behind her, Daphne leaned against it, her chest heaving. Her reflection in the mirror showed wide, glassy eyes and flushed cheeks, but she couldn't bring herself to look for long.
Sliding to the floor, she pressed her hands to her face, muffling the quiet sobs that wracked her body. For a moment, all she could hear was the sound of her own heartbreak, raw and consuming, mingling with the memory of Theo's voice calling her baby as if he still had the right.
She hated how much she still cared, how much his weariness and that fleeting softness in his eyes affected her. She hated that, despite everything, a part of her still longed to go back and let him hold her, to believe that love could somehow fix what had broken between them.
But it was all hopeless like wishing upond a burning star.
_______________________
Mason and Wendy
Mason stepped into the kitchen, drawn by the faint sound of movement. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Wendy standing at the counter, her hair loosely tied back as she reached for something on the top shelf. She wore a casual oversized sweater that slipped slightly off her shoulder, exposing just a hint of skin. A smirk tugged at his lips.
He stepped forward and reached over her head, grabbing the coffee mug before it slipped and fell onto her head. Wendy dropped down to her feet and slowly turned to face him.
"My hero," she said dryly.
"At your service, ma'dam," Mason grinned.
Wendy raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms as she leaned back against the counter. "What would I ever do without you?" she quipped, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Probably suffer from a lack of charm," Mason shot back, setting the mug on the counter and leaning casually against the edge.
Wendy snorted, shaking her head. "If by 'charm' you mean the kind that gets you into trouble, then sure."
"Trouble's my middle name," he replied smoothly, his grin widening. "What's yours? 'Damsel in Distress'?"
Wendy tilted her head, a slow smile spreading across her lips. "More like 'Can Handle Herself.' But thanks for the assist anyway, hero."
Mason laughed, his gaze flickering over her. "Noted. Though I'm happy to step in whenever you need saving."
"Don't hold your breath," she teased, brushing past him to grab a carton of cream from the fridge. But as she moved, her shoulder lightly grazed his arm, and she didn't miss the way his eyes followed her.
"You know," Mason said, leaning closer as she poured cream into her mug, "if you keep flirting with me like this, people might get the wrong idea."
Wendy's hand paused mid-stir, her lips twitching as she glanced at him. "Flirting? Oh no, Mason. This is just me being polite."
"Right," he drawled, his voice dropping slightly, "because your polite looks a lot like you enjoying my company."
She was about to fire back when a familiar voice cut through the air.
"Mason?" Daisy called, stepping into the kitchen. Her eyes flicked between them, noticing their proximity.
Wendy immediately straightened, smoothing a hand over her sweater as she stepped back. "Good morning!"
Daisy arched a brow, her lips quirking in amusement. "Good morning, my love. Mason, are you harassing our guest this early in the day?"
"Harassing? Mom, I'm just being friendly," Mason protested.
"Friendly," Daisy echoed, clearly unconvinced. She grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl and smiled knowingly at Wendy. "Don't let him bother you, dear. He's just desperate for attention."
Wendy stifled a laugh. "Don't worry, Mrs. Silvano. I can handle him."
Daisy laughed, "You're brave."
Her words caused Mason to roll his eyes. He turned toward the fridge and began to gather the milk for his coffee as Wendy excused herself out of the room, rushing up to finish packing. Daisy hung back in the kitchen and took a seat on one of the bar stools, waiting fro Mason to come out of the fridge.
"You can stop hiding now," she teased. "Wendy's gone."
"I'm not hiding," Mason muttered.
Daisy smirked, taking a slow bite of her apple. "Right. That's why you spent a suspiciously long time deciding on milk."
Mason shot her a look as he closed the fridge, setting the carton on the counter. "I wasn't deciding. I was... thinking."
"About Wendy?" Daisy teased, her tone light but her eyes sharp.
He groaned, pouring milk into his coffee. "Can we not make this a thing?"
"Oh, I'm not making it a thing. I'm just observing," Daisy replied, resting her chin in her hand. "Speaking of things... what exactly happened in Aspen?"
Mason froze for a split second, his hand tightening around the milk carton. He set it down carefully, turning to face her. "Why are you asking me?"
"Because Theo isn't exactly forthcoming," Daisy said with a shrug, her gaze narrowing slightly. "But I know you. You see things. Hear things. And Daphne's been acting... different."
Mason sighed, running a hand through his hair. The hesitation on his face was clear as day but Daisy knew that out of all her children, Mason was the most gentle. He cared for everyone deeply, sometimes a little too much for his own good.
"Mace," Daisy waited.
Mason sighed, leaning back against the counter, his coffee momentarily forgotten. "Fine," he said, his tone reluctant. "But you didn't hear this from me."
Daisy straightened in her seat, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern. "I'm listening."
Mason crossed his arms, his brow furrowing. "Daphne told Theo she loved him."
Daisy's eyebrows lifted slightly, but she remained quiet, urging him to continue.
"And Theo freaked out," Mason added, his voice tinged with frustration. "He told her they were moving too fast, and he broke it off."
Daisy blinked, her lips parting slightly in surprise. "He... broke up with her because she said she loved him?"
"Yeah," Mason said, running a hand through his hair again. "Classic Theo, right? Can't let himself be happy for five minutes without finding a way to mess it up."
Daisy shook her head, her expression shifting to one of disbelief. "That's ridiculous. Daphne's the best thing that's happened to him in years. She's grounded, kind... she makes him so happy."
"Try telling him that," Mason muttered, taking a sip of his coffee. "He's too stuck in his own head."
"This makes so much sense now," Daisy exhaled and shook her head. "Poor Daphne. I can not believe this is happening again!"
"What do you mean?" Mason asked in confusion.
"Nothing," Daisy said. "Just something with your dad."
"What did dad do?"
"I'll tell you some other time," Daisy said, rubbing her forehead. "When you fall in love. But right now, I need to speak to Theo and see what the hell's going on through his head. Poor Daphne. The sweet girl must be heartbroken."
"She is," Mason admitted, his voice softer now. "She's been trying to keep it together, but... you can see it."
Daisy's eyes narrowed with determination. "Theo needs a wake-up call."
Mason chuckled, shaking his head. "Good luck with that. You know how stubborn he is."
"Stubborn or not," Daisy said firmly, "I'm not letting him throw away something so good."
Mason sighed, finishing his coffee. "Just don't drag me into it. I've done my part by spilling the beans."
Daisy nodded, "Don't worry, darling. I've got this."
Mason groaned, already regretting his decision to say anything, as Daisy began to plot her next move.
______________________
Theo and Daphne
The office buzzed with the quiet hum of activity as Theo stepped into the sleek, modern space. The morning sunlight filtered through the large windows, casting golden streaks across the polished wooden floors. His sharp suit, tailored to perfection, exuded authority as he strode confidently toward his office.
That's when he saw her.
The girl his soul needed.
Daphne was standing by the coffee machine, her head tilted slightly as she scrolled through something on her phone. She wore a maroon dress that hugged her curves in all the right places. The deep color contrasted beautifully with her fair skin and brought out the faint rose in her cheeks. The soft fabric of the dress swayed slightly as she moved, the hem brushing just above her knees. A thin belt cinched her waist, emphasizing her delicate yet enticing figure.
Theo's gaze lingered, longer than he should have. Her hair was tied loosely at the nape of her neck, and a few strands had escaped to frame her face, giving her an effortless allure. The dress revealed just enough of her collarbone to make his breath hitch, the curve of her shoulders making him think, for the briefest of moments, about tracing them with his hands.
His chest tightened as he forced his attention away, adjusting the cuff of his sleeve as if to distract himself. But even as he passed by, the image of her stayed vivid in his mind. The sway of her hips, the confident way she carried herself, and the faint smile playing on her lipsâit was like magic.
Daphne glanced up and caught his eye. For a moment, the air between them seemed to shift, and Theo swore he saw the hint of a knowing smirk on her lips. He cleared his throat and gave a curt nod, trying to maintain the carefully constructed composure that threatened to falter.
Inwardly, though, he couldn't deny the heat pooling in his chest. Daphne looked stunning, sexy in a way that felt entirely unintentional yet completely deliberate. It was maddening, and he knew it was going to be impossible to concentrate for the rest of the day.
Theo had barely settled into his office chair, but his mind wasn't on the reports scattered across his desk. It was on her. That maroon dress. The way it hugged her figure. The way she looked at him, even if just briefly. It was maddening. He sighed, running a hand through his hair, before leaning back to take a moment.
Through the glass panel of his office, he caught sight of Daphne again. She was near Tina's desk now, flipping through a folder. But this time, she wasn't alone. A manâtall, broad-shouldered, with a neatly pressed shirt and a confident demeanorâapproached her.
Theo's grip on his pen tightened as he watched the man say something that made Daphne laugh, her lips curving into a bright smile. A smile that wasn't for him. The man leaned a little closer, gesturing toward the papers in her hand, but his posture was casual, bordering on flirtatious. Too comfortable. Too familiar.
Theo's jaw clenched as a surge of heat flared in his chest. Jealousy burned through him like wildfire, his rational thoughts smothered under the roaring possessiveness that took hold. The way the man stood just a bit too close to her made Theo's stomach churn. It wasn't angerâno, it was something much darker, primal, and uncontrollable.
He tried to focus on their conversation from behind the glass, his eyes narrowing as he noted every subtle movement. The way Daphne tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. The way her laugh rang out, light and musical, stirring something deep inside him that made his jealousy sharpen into a knife's edge.
The man leaned slightly, pointing at something in the folder she held, and Theo swore his chest would explode. Who the fuck was this guy?
Theo stood abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor as he shoved it back. He adjusted his cuffs, trying to suppress the storm brewing inside him, and forced himself to remain composed as he stepped out of his office. His long strides carried him across the room in seconds, and before he could second-guess himself, he was standing next to Daphne and the man.
"Daphne," Theo said, his tone calm but laced with an unmistakable edge, "I need to speak with you. Now."
The man glanced at Theo, his confidence faltering under the weight of Theo's piercing stare. "Good morning, Mr. Silvano. I'm showing Daphne theâ"
"She's busy," Theo cut him off curtly, his gaze fixed on Daphne, who looked up at him in surprise.
Theo didn't wait for her to respond. He placed a firm but gentle hand on her lower back, guiding her away from the man as he shot daggers at him. His touch was possessive, his grip asserting a silent claim he couldn't voice.
"Alright," the man gave a small nod, catching Daphne's eyes. "I'll see you laterâ"
"Who are you?" Theo demanded, turning back to look at the man as if he was annoyed by his presence.
The man paused, startled by Theo's tone. He opened his mouth and then closed it. Daphne sighed, watching the man nervously clear his throat.
"Jason Carson, sir," the man, Jason said. "From accounting."
"Accounting is on the 11th floor," Theo said. "What are you doing up here, Mr. Carson?"
"I...Iâ"
"I called him," Daphne spoke up. "I wanted to see a break down of the budget for the amphitheater."
Jason stammered under Theo's intense gaze, his confident demeanor crumbling. "I was just explaining the numbers," he managed.
Theo's eyes narrowed. "You've delivered your explanation. You can leave now." His words were clipped, leaving no room for argument.
Jason glanced at Daphne, then back at Theo, before giving a quick nod. "Of course, sir. Daphne..." He trailed off, offering Daphne a polite smile before making a hasty retreat toward the elevator.
As Jason disappeared, Daphne turned to Theo, crossing her arms over her chest. Her lips curved into a knowing smirk, her amusement barely concealed. "Do you always interrogate your staff, or is this a new hobby of yours?"
Theo ignored the jab, his piercing gaze fixed on her. "He had no business being that close to you," he said, his voice low. "And why the fuck is he calling you Daphne. It's Ms. Dashwood. You're not his pal."
Daphne's brow arched. "He's from accounting, Theodore. He's hardly a threat. And if you're so concerned about proximity, maybe you should let go of my back."
Theo blinked and realized his hand was still resting on her lower back, his thumb absently brushing the fabric of her dress. He quickly dropped it, stepping back as if her touch had burned him.
Her smirk widened at his discomfort, her amusement bubbling into a soft laugh. "Are you seriously jealous right now?"
His jaw tightened, but he didn't deny it. Instead, he crossed his arms, trying to regain his composure. "I don't trust his intentions," he muttered, his voice gruff. "And that sort of behavior is highly unprofessional. Not to mention, HR will have a field day with this."
Daphne shook her head, her laughter turning into a full-blown chuckle. "You're unbelievable. In case you've forgotten, we're not together anymore. You don't get to act like this."
Theo's eyes darkened, and he stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "Just because we're not dating doesn't meanâ-."
Daphne's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered, her tone light but serious. "Be very careful with what you're about to say next."
Theo's lips parted, but no words came out. He looked at her, his usual commanding demeanor faltering as something vulnerable flashed in his eyes. He quickly masked it.
"You should get back to work," he said curtly, his tone cold as he retreated to his office, leaving Daphne standing there, her smile lingering.
"Don't tell me what to do," Daphne scoffed. "You don't get to do that anymore."
I know I have to move on with the story but damn it I love writing about Theo and Daphne at the office.