Alec's words repeated through her thoughts on a loop. Reminding of the promise she would soon have to deliver.

That morning, while putting on her pumps, she examined the two flower vases. She was thinking about her family and all the holidays she'd missed. They believed she was too busy with her 'big new job' to visit.

It was something they understood well. Her uncle hadn't been part of holidays for years until he finally gained seniority at work. Because of this, it was something they didn't give her too much grief about during their short phone calls.

Easter would be the hardest to miss. Every year, they prepared a giant pot of Feijoada, which could feed a small city. Two years ago, when she was home for Easter, her uncle insisted she help with the process. At the time, she was still struggling badly from her accident, and he was trying to build her confidence.

As the flavors filled the house, he bestowed some of his classic wisdom. "You come from strong stock." he said. "It doesn't matter what happens, you'll always get through it. That's who we are. Who you are."

She helped him serve bowls to the community, and felt happier for it. They lived in a tiny, working-class neighborhood mixed with people from all different backgrounds. Easter was when everyone shared their favorite dishes. Amazingly, they got along well with few problems. Most likely, for the parents, the promise of better futures for their children. Futures involving better jobs, less struggles, and more opportunities.

She would give anything to go back to that time. She wished she could tell them it wasn't worth it. That they already had it all. Living in a mansion, being driven around, and wearing designer clothing was the ultimate dream for most. But now, after experiencing it, she could see that money was an illusion. A trap. A lie. It had little use for happiness without the people that meant something.

Her impending fate was creeping, and she was giving serious thought to running and contacting the FBI. However, both were risky options with dangerous consequences. With Mr. Han and Bonnie's arrival, the clock was officially running down.

"What's up with you today?" Daniel asked, interrupting her. They were regularly sharing the nook now, along with his breakfast. She was eating so well, she had to cushion more time in her mornings to work out. She needed to keep her waistline in-check for Salvadore's show, and for when Alec's arm wrapped around her at night.

"Huh?" she said lazily.

"I was saying we should all go out when my sister gets back next week," he said. "And you completely zoned out."

"I'm sorry." Mila tried to re-engage. "My mind was elsewhere. Yeah, we should."

She lied, knowing full-well it would never happen. After next week, she didn't even know if they'd be friends. She wanted to enjoy it as long as possible.

At lunch, Evie was nowhere to be found, again. Mila figured she was probably with her 'much adored' husband. She wasn't a hater by any means, she just missed Evie. She hadn't been around as much lately, and Mila missed her upbeat chirpiness.

"Looks like we're on our own." Daniel said, joining her. 

"Looks like it." she said.

"Let me take you to lunch? There's a great place for hotpot just down the street." He gave her a smile she couldn't resist.

Since her watch was in a security locker, technically, there was no way for Alec to really know if she left the building. Plus, it was her prerogative to get to know her coworkers, right?

In reality they were excuses. She wanted to spend time with Daniel--it didn't matter how. When she was around him, problems melted away, and she could enjoy the moment. Not only was Daniel thoughtful, he was also laid back and very funny. At times, she realized she was laughing so much when she was with him her jaw hurt from smiling. Sometimes she wondered what it would have been like if she'd met Daniel before Evan. Such thoughts were painful and unrealistic, so she didn't let herself ponder too long.

"This is so good." she said, pulling a beautiful piece of meat out of the boiling-hot steamboat.  The restaurant was bustling from the lunch rush. Even though everyone else was semi-hurrying through their meals, they were taking their time. 

"I don't know why," Daniel said. "But watching you eat feels like taking a kid to an amusement park."

She gave him a big closed-mouth smile and motioned her chopsticks in a circle. "You can watch me ride the teacup all day. This place is great."

"I actually live next door," he said. "There are lots of great spots around here, but this is my favorite. I never bring anyone because I know one day it'll be corrupted by yuppies."

"Are we technically yuppies?" she asked.

His eyes looked off to the side as he pulled his phone from his pocket. It was kind of funny she'd never seen him use one before.

"Yuppie," he adjusted his glasses. "A fashionable young middle-class person with a well paid job."

His forehead scrunched. "I plead the fifth." he said, going back to his meal.

She laughed.

"It's almost unbelievable." she said. "When I first met you, I wouldn't have bet money we'd be friends. You seemed so serious. Like, I never would have guessed you had a decently-formed sense of humor."

Casually insulting Daniel was her favorite new hobby, and she could tell he loved it just as much.

"Good." he said, smirking. "That means my persona is working."

"Persona?"

"The character I've created in order to be taken seriously at work. My uncle does the same thing. You wouldn't believe it, but he is actually a goofball. Totally hilarious." 

"Mr. Han?" she exclaimed. 

"Honest," he said, holding up his hand like he was swearing on a Bible.  "One time, he told me a joke so funny, I slipped a rib."

"Slipped a rib?" Now, she couldn't tell if he was yanking her chain.

"I'm dead serious." he said, "It popped out of place, and I had to go to the doctor and get it adjusted. He's never let me live it down."

"Oh my gosh," she said. "You can't tell me stories like that while I'm eating. I will straight-up choke."

"Noted." he smiled. "You know, I could say the same about you. I never thought we'd get to know each other because you didn't seem approachable."

"Me?" She never considered herself an unapproachable person. Children and pets always loved her. Perhaps this was a new thing.

"I'm glad I was wrong about you," he said. "I enjoy our time together."

Don't blush. Don't blush. Don't blush. She thought.

"Me too."

That's how it went for the rest of the week. At lunch, instead of heading to the roof, they went somewhere in Daniel's neighborhood. She felt like she was high. Happy, rebellious, and unthinking. Taking something back by stealing these moments with Daniel. By Thursday, they were at a ramen shop when he felt comfortable enough to share more with her.

"Can you keep a secret?" he asked.

"Of course." she replied.

More lies.

"The reason I'm working in my current department is because my uncle wants me to be the next CEO of HSG."

"Oh wow," she said.

"I know." he replied. "It's required I work in six different departments before I'm promoted to the executive team like Bonnie. This last one was really kicking my ass until you came along. I'm a numbers guy through and through, but I've had to suck it up in order to prove myself."

She could relate.

"My uncle is highly aware that many companies don't survive once they're passed to the next generation. He wants to make sure that not only am I competent enough for the job, but that I also really want it."

Finally, some answers. It made so much sense. Why Daniel was approved to visit Mr. Han at any time, and Bonnie wasn't. Why Daniel was so bad at technical writing but had a decent position in the communications department. The frustration she'd picked up on when she asked Bonnie about it.

"I can see a few things are falling into place for you." he chuckled.

"If you don't mind me asking, is this what you really want?" she inquired. "I know you've been working at it for years, but have you ever stopped to ask yourself?"

He didn't say anything, but had a thoughtful look on his face.

"You know," he said slowly. "It's always been my destiny as the nephew of a great man, but I've never really thought about it much. I do know I want to continue my family's legacy and provide jobs for the local economy."

He said it with so much conviction Mila wanted to believe him. However, there was still something about the way he said it that made her unsure.

"I kind of know how that feels." she said. "Nowhere near as serious as your situation, but my family worked very hard for me to go to a good college and have everything they didn't have. My greatest fear is disappointing them."

"We have more in common than you think." he said it as if its meaning had layers. "Now, I've shared my most serious secret with you. Why don't you share something about yourself?"

"What else do you want to know?" she asked, a bit flustered. "You know more about me than anyone at work."

"I don't know if that counts for much." he said. "You're a very elusive person."

"Me? Elusive?" she said. It was weird hearing herself described from someone else's vantage point.

"I'm just saying you're a hard person to know is all."

"Hmm...Interesting." she said, stirring her soup.

"You're jumpy." he said. "You are a jumper."

"What do you mean?" 

"Every time I walk near you, I have to be careful I don't scare you to death." he said.

Walking on eggshells at home must have manifested itself in a way she wasn't aware of.

"I've also noticed that despite being intelligent and hardworking, you make small mistakes because your mind is always preoccupied."

She didn't like where the conversation was going.

"And, in all this time we've spoken to each other, not once have you discussed your fiancé."

She froze. Unconsciously, moving her ring hand under the table.

Daniel noticed, and continued his inquisition.

"It's weird because if you get Evie on the topic, it's one of the first things she mentions."

"Well I'm not Evie." she said. "I'm more private about my personal life."

"That's something I can respect." he said. "And I wouldn't think twice of it, but you've told me all sorts of other things about yourself. Like your accident, your family, what you're currently reading, even the type of dog you have."

That one made her insides curl.

"But this entire time, not once, have you mentioned a word about Alec."

It made her cringe, hearing his name come out of Daniel's mouth.

"I'm not the only one who's noticed. Bonnie mentioned it to me."

"You and Bonnie talked about me?" she asked.

"Yes. We may have our issues, but we're still family" he said. "Did my sister ever mention that she used to be married?"

"Never. I didn't know." Mila couldn't imagine strong, independent Bonnie married.

"Doesn't surprise me." he said. "She doesn't like to talk about it, but I thought she might have shared it with you. Her husband was--" he stopped himself from swearing. "Not a good man for my sister."

"I don't believe it." she said, swept up in the new information.  

"I know." he said, "It feels like a lifetime ago, but it wasn't. Before she left him, she was jittery and nervous all the time, just like you. So you can understand that when I saw similarities in your behavior, I took notice." 

She held her breath.

"I've noticed other things too. Like when you come in on Mondays after the weekend, you eat like you've been starving. How you come early and leave late every day. Not a few times a week, not occasionally, every single day. I don't get the impression you particularly love this job, and I don't think it's for the money. So, I have a theory."

The air rushed from her lungs.

"For some reason, you don't want to go home." he said. "Why don't you want to go home Mila?"

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So this was a long one. I hope you all liked it ;-) I appreciate every nice comment and vote I received on my last chapter. I like the idea of updating once I receive 30 votes on a chapter because it helps keep me motivated to update when life is hectic.

If I can get 30 votes on this chapter I will update next Friday!