Small Victories

Elliot

The moment I stepped out of Susan’s office, I couldn’t help the faint smile tugging at the corners of my lips. It was subtle, but I saw it. That flicker of emotion in her eyes. The way she hesitated before thanking me. The crack, small as it was, in the wall she’d built so carefully around herself.

This wasn’t going to be easy...getting through to Susan never was. But today felt like a win, however small.

Walking back to my office, I replayed our interaction in my head. The way she looked at me, guarded yet attentive. The slight shift in her tone when I told her I believed in her. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to tell me that I was getting under her skin.

And that was the plan, wasn’t it? To remind her of the man I could be...the man I was trying to be now. The man who wouldn’t walk away this time.

As I sat at my desk, I let out a long breath, leaning back in my chair. Susan was no fool; I knew that much. She’d see through any obvious attempts to win her over, which meant every move I made had to be calculated, deliberate, and above all, genuine.

Day two, and I’d already started to feel the weight of this endeavor. It wasn’t just about strategy anymore; it was about proving to Susan...and maybe to myself...that I was capable of being the man she deserved.

I tapped my pen against the desk, glancing at the notebook where I’d outlined my thirty-day plan. So far, I was on track. The coffee delivery yesterday had gone as planned, even if she pretended not to notice the gesture. Today, it was about showing her that I valued her professionally, that I respected her talent and her mind.

And tomorrow? Tomorrow would need to be something different. I couldn’t afford to let this momentum falter.

Still, a sense of victory simmered beneath the surface. Susan was sharp, driven, and fiercely independent...qualities I’d always admired, even when they made her maddeningly stubborn. But that also meant she wasn’t immune to sincerity, to genuine effort.

I rubbed the back of my neck, staring out the window at the city skyline. This wasn’t just about getting her back...it was about making her see that I was different now. That I’d learned from my mistakes. That I was willing to fight for her, even if it meant playing the long game.

A knock at the door broke my thoughts. Gerald stepped in, holding a folder and wearing his usual calm expression.

“How’s Susan settling into her role?” I asked casually, knowing full well that Gerald wouldn’t suspect the real weight of my question.

“She’s doing well,” Gerald said, placing the folder on my desk. “Sharp as always. You were right about her being an asset.”

I smirked to myself, hiding my satisfaction. Of course, I was right. I’d known Susan’s worth long before anyone else had.

“Good to hear,” I said, keeping my tone neutral. “Let me know if there’s anything she needs to make the transition smoother.”

Gerald nodded and left, and I turned my attention back to the notebook on my desk.

It wasn’t just a plan anymore...it was a mission. And while Susan might not realize it yet, every small victory brought me one step closer to what I wanted most.

Her.

***

Susan

I sat across from Meera in our favorite corner café, hands wrapped around a steaming cup of cappuccino. The warm scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, but it did little to calm the storm raging inside me.

“Okay, you can start talking,” Meera said, her eyes narrowing as she leaned closer. “What’s going on? You’ve been fidgeting since you walked in here.”

I let out a sigh, glancing out the window before turning back to her. “It’s Elliot,” I admitted.

Meera’s eyebrows shot up. “Elliot Prescott? What did he do now?”

I took a sip of my coffee, stalling for a moment. “He’s… different,” I said finally. “Or at least, he’s acting different. It’s throwing me off.”

“Different how?” Meera pressed.

I hesitated, not sure where to even begin. “First, there was the appointment letter,” I said, setting my cup down. “It was waiting for me on my desk two days ago. Permanent position. Marketing Manager. Effective immediately after my contract ends.”

Meera’s eyes widened. “Wow. That’s huge! But let me guess...you think it was Elliot’s doing?”

I nodded. “Gerald said it was based on my performance, but let’s be real. Elliot has a hand in everything that happens at Prescott Industries. I can’t shake the feeling that he’s behind this.”

Meera tilted her head, considering. “Okay, but let’s say he is. Isn’t that a good thing? It shows he values you, right?”

“That’s not the point,” I said quickly, a hint of frustration creeping into my voice. “I don’t want special treatment, Meera. I worked hard to get where I am, and if this is just his way of trying to… I don’t know, win me over or something...”

Meera cut me off with a knowing smile. “Ah, so you do think he’s trying to win you over.”

I groaned, burying my face in my hands. “That’s the problem! I don’t know what he’s doing, but it’s working. It’s getting under my skin.”

“Like how?”

I hesitated again, my fingers tracing the rim of my cup. “Yesterday, he sent me coffee. My favorite...hazelnut latte. He didn’t even say anything, just left it on my desk.”

Meera’s smile widened. “Thoughtful. Go on.”

“And today,” I continued, my voice softer now, “he came to my office. He wanted to check on how I was settling in, and then he told me he believes in me.” I looked up at her, my chest tightening at the memory. “He said it so sincerely, Meera. Like he meant it.”

Meera studied me for a moment before leaning back in her chair. “And how did that make you feel?”

I let out a shaky breath. “That’s the thing. It made me feel… something. I don’t know what exactly, but it’s confusing. Because part of me wants to believe him, to believe that he’s changed. But the other part of me…”

“Is scared,” Meera finished for me, her tone gentle.

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. “I can’t go through another heartbreak, Meera. Not with him. The first time almost destroyed me. I don’t know if I have it in me to survive a second round.”

Meera reached across the table, placing a comforting hand over mine. “Susan, you don’t have to figure this out right now. Just take it one day at a time. And remember, you’re in control here. Elliot might be trying to win you back, but you get to decide whether or not he succeeds.”

Her words were reassuring, but they didn’t erase the lingering doubt in my mind. Elliot’s actions were stirring up feelings I thought I’d buried long ago, and I hated how vulnerable it made me feel.

As we finished our coffee, Meera’s voice broke through my thoughts. “Just promise me one thing,” she said.

“What?”

“Don’t shut him out completely. Give him a chance to prove himself...if that’s what you want. But if he steps out of line, you shut it down immediately. No hesitation.”

I nodded slowly, though I wasn’t sure if I was agreeing with her or trying to convince myself.

Elliot Prescott was playing a dangerous game, and whether I liked it or not, I was already a piece on his board.