The Fourth Step Forward

Kalix Ashford, consumed by anger and frustration, arrives at his office building, his mind still dwelling on the events that unfolded earlier. 

The screech of the car coming to a halt snaps him back to reality, and the driver informs him that they have reached their destination.

Hastily exiting the vehicle, Kalix strides into the office building, his focus solely on reaching his destination. Ignoring the people around him, he marches directly towards the elevator, his impatience evident. Continuously pressing the elevator buttons, he grows increasingly annoyed, his agitation bubbling to the surface.

As the elevator doors finally open, Kalix directs his frustration toward the guard stationed near the elevator entrance. 

With an irritated tone, he demands an explanation, "What took you so long to arrive at the ground floor?" His impulsive outburst reflects his current state of mind.

Entering the elevator, Kalix remains silent, shutting himself off from any interaction. 

He disregards the greetings and inquiries from others, his mind consumed by his tumultuous thoughts. 

The desire for retribution against his nonchalant cousin continues to gnaw at him, intensifying his already simmering anger.

Upon reaching his cabin, Kalix foregoes the comfort of his chair, instead pacing back and forth within the confined space. 

Restlessness overtakes him, and for nearly five minutes, he paces, his mind racing with intrusive thoughts. 

He struggles to find an outlet for his pent-up emotions, the weight of the situation pressing upon him.

Standing outside the imposing gray building, Audrey adjusts the strap of her bag on her shoulder, her eyes squinting against the bright rays of the sun. 

She contemplates the possibility of being turned away once she steps foot inside. 

Fully aware of her inconsequential status, she acknowledges that she is merely a nobody in the grand scheme of things. 

However, she carries a responsibility to return what she has and, more importantly, to see the face of the man she spent the night with.

Summoning her courage, Audrey takes a deep breath and crosses the threshold, entering the building. 

She walks purposefully towards the reception desk, her heart pounding with anticipation. 

Arriving at the desk, she politely approaches the receptionist, her voice steady as she inquires about the Myers family.

"Excuse me," Audrey begins, her tone polite but determined, "Could you please direct me to the Ashford family?" 

Her eyes search the receptionist's face, hoping for a helpful response that will lead her to the man she seeks. As Audrey finishes her question, the receptionist's gaze remains fixed on her with a blank expression. 

A moment of silence lingers between them, causing Audrey's hope to waver. 

As Kalix's restless pacing is interrupted by a knock on the door, his attention turns towards the entrance. Sean, his loyal right-hand man, nervously enters the room, his face contorted with fear. 

Sensing the gravity of the situation, he prepares himself to deliver the unsettling news.

Kalix, momentarily halting his movements, focuses his gaze on Sean and questions with a mix of impatience and apprehension, "What is it, Sean?" 

His tone carries a hint of urgency, aware that Sean's words could potentially unravel the delicate balance of his world.

Sean, his voice trembling slightly, manages to utter the words, albeit with a hint of stammering, "Sir, Mr. Richard knows about the watch." 

The moment the words leave Sean's lips, Kalix's anger dissipates, replaced by an overwhelming sense of fear. His breath hitches in his throat, his heart pounding in his chest, as he struggles to process the implications of Richard's knowledge.

Exhaling sharply, Kalix feels his anxiety intensify as Sean continues, "He's on his way to see you." 

The weight of impending confrontation settles heavily upon Kalix’s shoulders, leaving him scrambling for solutions in his mind. 

Worry overtakes his entire being as he grapples with the fear of facing his uncle's inquiries.

Thoughts race through Kalix's mind as he desperately seeks a way to extricate himself from this precarious situation. 

The urgency to protect himself and the secrets he holds becomes paramount. 

With a furrowed brow and a mind clouded by worry, Kalix attempts to formulate a plan, hoping to navigate through the impending confrontation unscathed.

Trying to remain composed, Audrey repeats her question with a touch of concern in her voice. "I'm looking for the Ashford family. Can you please tell me where I can find them?" 

She hopes that her insistence will prompt the receptionist to provide some guidance or assistance.

The receptionist, still wearing a perplexed expression, finally breaks the silence. "I'm sorry, but I'm not aware that you have an appointment with Mr Ashford. Perhaps you must get an appointment first?" Her voice carries a hint of confusion and a genuine lack of knowledge.

Audrey's heart sinks as the realization dawns upon her that she might have made a mistake. 

Doubt creeps into her mind, but she remains determined to find the man she spent the night with and return what she has. 

As Audrey takes advantage of the receptionist's distraction, she swiftly makes her way towards the elevator. 

Seizing the opportune moment, she enters the elevator just as the doors remain open. 

The guard stationed nearby inquires about the floor she intends to visit, and Audrey promptly responds, stating her desire to see Mr. Ashford. 

The guard acknowledges her request with a nod and proceeds to take her to the twenty-fifth floor.

Upon reaching the designated floor, the elevator doors slide open, and Audrey steps out, her gaze scanning the area. 

Feeling a sense of confusion and uncertainty, she begins to walk, searching for the right path that will lead her to her intended destination—the cabin she seeks.

Meanwhile, Sean, in a state of urgency, rushes towards the window and observes the cars outside the building coming to a halt. 

Realizing the arrival of a significant figure, he swiftly relays the information to Kalix, exclaiming, "Sir, he is here!"

Kalix, feeling the weight of the impending confrontation, instructs Sean to intercept his uncle's ascent to his cabin. 

With a strained expression, he commands, "Tell him I am in an important meeting." 

Kalix hopes that this diversion will buy him some time and prevent his uncle from reaching his cabin, allowing him to gather his thoughts and strategize.

As Sean hurries out of the cabin to carry out his boss's orders, Audrey notices the commotion—a person rushing out of the cabin and another individual still present inside. 

She approaches cautiously, and upon entering the cabin, she utters softly, "Excuse me?" Her voice carries a mix of trepidation and curiosity.

Kalix, standing with his back to the room, facing the window, his hand resting on his waist while the other remains pressed against his forehead, stands visibly stressed. 

He turns his head slightly, acknowledging Audrey's presence but remains silent, his mind preoccupied with the weight of his current circumstances.

Kalix's gaze remains fixated on Audrey as their eyes lock in a moment of suspense. 

He takes in the sight of her long, loose brown hair cascading down to her lower back and her piercing green eyes that shift to focus on him. 

The memories of their passionate encounter from that night flood his mind, evoking a mixture of emotions within him.

Audrey, taking slow steps towards him, continues to hold his gaze, her eyes filled with curiosity and perhaps a hint of nervousness. 

Her knee-length dress exposes her pale legs, and her petite stature adds a touch of cuteness to her presence.

A faint smile tugs at the corners of Kalix's lips, momentarily breaking through his troubled expression. However, the smile quickly fades as Audrey softly utters, "Umm... Hi. My name is... Well, I wanted to..." Her words trail off as they draw closer, her attention captured by his mesmerizing ocean-blue eyes.

At this moment, Audrey's mind goes blank, forgetting what she is about to say. 

The silence hangs in the air, filled with a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty. Sensing the need to break the silence, Audrey slides her hand into her bag, searching for something. 

Withdrawing the watch, she holds it out for him to see, her voice barely above a whisper, "Does this belong to you?"

Kalix's eyes shift from Audrey's face to the watch she presents to him. 

Recognition flickers in his gaze as he takes in the familiar timepiece. 

Confusion and curiosity mingle within him as he reaches out to take the watch, his voice tinged with both surprise and caution. "Yes, it does. How did you come to possess it?”

As Uncle Richard bursts into the room, anger etches across his face when his eyes land on Kalix. Frustration boils within him as he blurts out, "Where the hell is your watch, Kalix?"

Unaware of the situation, Kalix lifts his hand and confidently displays the watch on his wrist. He calmly responds, "It's right here... why?"

In an instant, Richard's anger dissipates, replaced by a mix of shame, confusion, and astonishment. It feels as though someone has metaphorically slapped him across the face. Audrey, observing from a corner, remains silent, her gaze fixed on the scene unfolding before her.

Clearing his throat, Richard takes a step forward, his hand reaching out to touch the watch as he carefully examines it, verifying its authenticity. He stammers as he tries to speak, "I heard... that you lost... your watch."

Kalix, maintaining his composure, pretends to be unaware of the source of this misinformation. Shaking his head, he calmly asks, "No, uncle. I did not. Who told you this?" Richard finds himself caught in a moment of internal conflict, his son's name lingering on the tip of his tongue. Despite his efforts to conceal the truth, a lie surfaces involuntarily.

The scene illustrates a tense dynamic fraught with underlying tensions and hidden truths. Kalix, though tempted to revel in his uncle's embarrassment, chooses to remain composed. Meanwhile, Richard grapples with his own conscience, struggling to navigate the web of deception he has woven.

“Anyways, prepare for the meeting ahead -” As Richard attempts to divert the conversation and change the subject, Kalix reluctantly accepts the shift in focus. 

“I don’t want you to waste your time with women in the office. You come here to work, not to entertain yourself!”

Kalix's temper simmers beneath the surface as his uncle seizes the opportunity to insult him. The words strike a nerve, igniting a fiery anger within him that he struggles to keep in check. 

He clenches his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white as he fights to conceal his mounting fury.

The weight of his uncle's words feels like an unfair accusation, casting a shadow over Kalix's professional dedication. He prides himself on his work ethic and commitment, but Richard's belittlement threatens to undermine his self-assurance.

Deep inside, Kalix yearns to lash out, to defend himself against the unjust criticism. His mind races with retorts and rebuttals, each one tempting him to unleash his pent-up frustration. Suppressing his anger, Kalix takes a deep breath, reminding himself of the need to navigate this situation with caution.

He nods in acknowledgment, watching his uncle turn to walk away, leaving him alone in the room.

With Richard's departure, Audrey and Kalix are now the only occupants of the cabin. 

Kalix's eyes remain fixed on Audrey, unable to tear himself away from her captivating presence. Every detail of her appearance enthralls him, etching itself into his memory. Her long ginger hair cascades down her back, each strand glistening under the room's soft lighting. 

It is a mesmerizing sight, drawing his gaze and tempting him to reach out and run his fingers through those fiery locks.

Audrey's choice of attire accentuates her natural beauty, leaving Kalix in awe of her graceful silhouette. The dress she wears fits her perfectly, hugging her curves and emphasizing her slender frame. 

Its length, reaching just to her thighs, offers a tantalizing glimpse of her pale, smooth legs. Kalix finds himself captivated by the way the fabric moves with her every step as if it's dancing to an enchanting melody.

But it's Audrey's smile that truly captivates him. 

As it spreads across her face, it illuminates the room, bringing a warmth that resonates deep within Kalix's being. Her radiant smile seems to reflect her genuine kindness and openness, drawing him closer and making him feel at ease in her presence.