Chapter 34-Hidden Reverence Selene's POV: Morning light draped the city skyscrapers like a gossamer veil. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes as I dragged myself out of bed, and there was Aaron already hustling in the kitchen. The air hung heavy with the bitter bite of coffee and the greasy lure of bacon. He glanced over, those green eyes lazy with warmth. "Morning, short stuff. Breakfast's up. Eat quick-I'll drop you at work." I cracked a smile, shrugging on his shirt-that oversized white button-down that always made me feel wrapped in his arms-and slid onto a stool at the island. He slid over a steaming plate: eggs fried golden, bacon crispy as sin, apple slices fanned out like they were ribbing my salad vow from last night. "You trying to fatten me up?" I prodded the bacon, feigning a gripe. He leaned in, pressing a kiss to my forehead, voice a low rumble like a secret shared. "A little padding wouldn't hurt. More to grab onto." His hand skimmed my waist, giving a light squeeze, and my heart stuttered. Last night after we got home, we hadn't said much-just curled on the couch for some old flick, his arm a silent barricade around me. Lars's shadow still lurked in my head, but Aaron's presence blurred it out. Waking up this morning, I even felt like things might turn around. We scarfed it down, and he snatched the keys. We headed down together. His Aston Martin idled curbside, engine growling low like a beast itching to pounce. Heater cranked high in the cabin, I sank into the seat, watching pedestrians blur past. "Thanks for the ride. That Brian guy... hope he's not too clingy today." Aaron chuckled, fingers drumming the wheel. "If he gets clingy, I've got ways to make him regret it. His tone stayed light, but a sharp glint flicked in his eyes, sending a chill spidering down my spine. Last night outside the café, he'd been pure shadow-I hadn't even clocked him there. Thinking back, he always had this edge beyond your average cabbie-quick, almost too sharp. But I shook it off, shoving the nagging thoughts aside. He was just a good guy, a hardworking driver with a wide net of connections. That's all. The Thompson Publishing garage entrance dipped underground, lights dim and jaundiced, air thick with gasoline and damp concrete. Aaron slotted the car into visitor parking. I was fumbling with my seatbelt when Brian emerged from the elevator, suit crisp as a blade, tie knotted like a work of art. He spotted us, feet halting a beat, then hustled over with that signature eager grin-but this time, it cracked with a stiff undercurrent of nerves. "Selene, morning!" Brian nodded my way first, then his eyes hit Aaron and dropped half a level, voice deferential as hell, like greeting the boss. "Good morning, Al... sir." Aaron swung out, lounging against the door with hands jammed in his pockets, those green eyes sliding over Brian like he was appraising junk. "Don't think we're on a first-name basis. I'm just a cabbie-you see that. Dropping her off, that's all." "Oh, a cabbie? Right, I see." Brian swallowed, grin stretching thinner, eyes darting away from Aaron's gaze. Their back-and-forth felt off, like some secret simmered underneath. But Aaron knowing Brian? A publishing exec and a cab driver? Worlds apart. "Uh, but my boss... he knows you. I mean... Selene's our new hire; gotta make sure she's set." He 1517 01.89% Chapter 34-Hidden Reverence paused, tacking on, "Sir, if you need a spot... anytime." (*) Get 5 Menu I stood there, brain grinding gears, utterly baffled. Brian-the king of this joint, the guy who'd schmoozed like a salesman yesterday-was kowtowing to Aaron now, voice quaking a touch, shoulders hunching like a dog spotting a rival. All because his boss knew Aaron? That simple? Aaron just smirked, clapping Brian's shoulder-casual as you like, but it made the guy stiffen like he'd been zapped. "Nah. Thanks. Selene, head in. I'll roll out soon." I nodded, trailing Brian to the elevator, but my head swam with question marks. Doors slid shut, and I couldn't hold it: "Brian, what's with him? Aaron? Why the deference?" Brian punched the floor button, his smile rebounding a bit, but that wariness clung in his eyes. "Oh, nothing. Like I said, that guy's tight with my boss. Real close. Publishing world's small-networks run deep. One word from him, and..." He shrugged, trailing off, but the implication hung heavy. The ding hit, and I stepped out, still chewing on it. Aaron, a cabbie with pull that spooked a manager? Buddies in high places at a publishing house? The fat envelope last night, breakfast this morning, him always right there... it all slotted like puzzle pieces, missing just one crucial edge. But I shook my head, batting away the doubts. He was solid. Maybe ex-rich kid slumming it as a driver now-friends in fancy spots? Normal enough. The office hummed with printer ink and stale coffee warmth. Colleagues swarmed as soon as I appeared: Sarah with a mug of hot cocoa, Mike clutching a file, eyes sparkling. "Selene! Brian's all over you. What's the deal? You two...?" Sarah winked, voice hushed like hot gossip. I laughed it off, shaking my head. "No deal. He's just... enthusiastic. Helping the newbie settle." Mike sidled closer, whispering: "Enthusiastic? Girl, he's never that nice to rookies. Yesterday's meeting, he called you a 'rising star'-said you'd climb fast. Word is, you're his golden girl. Don't piss you off." I opened my mouth to shoot it down when Brian's voice cut in from behind, smooth as a lifeline. "Alright, alright, no gossiping. Selene's green, but she's got talent. Back to work-don't bog her down." He clapped Mike's shoulder, smile avuncular, but the edge in his tone drew a line in the sand. The crew scattered, murmurs trailing. I wheeled on Brian, brow furrowed. "Why say that? I'm nobody. Fresh on the job, not even past probation. Rising star? Climbing fast? Me? Hell, I didn't even know I had it in me." 15:17 Leave a comment 91.89%