Chapter 43: THE LEGAL TEAM ASSISTANT

Selena's POV

When Daniel stepped out, the room felt too quiet.

I sat there for a moment, staring at the same line on my screen without actually seeing it. My fingers hovered over the keyboard, unmoving, while my mind spiraled somewhere else entirely.

Does Jayden know?

Did Four tell him?

Is that why he called Daniel upstairs?

The thought tightened something in my chest.

Before I could sink deeper into it, a familiar pain twisted through my lower abdomen suddenly.

I sucked in a breath and leaned back in my chair, one hand instinctively pressing against my stomach.

“Not now,” I muttered under my breath.

My forehead creased as another wave followed. I closed my eyes, willing myself to breathe through it, when a soft knock came at the side of my desk.

“Selena?”

I opened my eyes to see Mia, holding a cup of steaming coffee like it was an offering.

She placed it gently in front of me. “Here.”

I looked at it, then at her. “You’re a lifesaver.”

She didn’t smile immediately. Instead, she tilted her head, eyes narrowing just slightly. “ That time huh? girl… it’s all over your face.”

I exhaled, a tired sound. “I know. I don’t feel too good.”

“Have you taken anything?”

“Yes,” I said quickly. “I just… I should’ve taken it earlier.”

She raised a brow. “You just took it, didn’t you?”

I nodded.

She sighed, then nudged the cup closer. “Okay. Drink that. It’ll help calm you down a bit.”

I wrapped my hands around the mug, letting the warmth seep into my palms.

“Thank you,” I said quietly.

She gave me a small, reassuring squeeze on the shoulder. “Don’t push yourself too hard, okay?”

Then she walked away, leaving me alone with the coffee and my thoughts.

I took a sip and leaned back, staring at the ceiling for a second.

Mia has been… good, I thought.

A breath of fresh air in a place that constantly felt like it was testing me Although it started crazy between us but she's been…sweet.

My gaze drifted unconsciously to the memory of earlier…Jayden walking in, brown coat, brown shirt, looking unfairly good for someone who had unsettled me so much without even trying.

And yet… my heart hadn’t leapt the way it usually did.

If anything, I’d felt something else. A strange, dull sadness.

He didn’t even acknowledge me properly, I thought.

Or maybe he did, and I was too distracted to notice.

I shook my head. Why does it even matter?

It didn’t.

I straightened up and opened my planner. I had planned all my work for the week.

I had seven tasks today.

I had already completed three.

Next week’s retreat meant I couldn’t afford delays, so I’d stacked today heavier than usual. Document reviews. Final certifications. Legal sign-offs that had piled up because the department had been understaffed.

Mistakes here didn’t just cause problems, they came back personally.

So I worked.

Clause by clause. Line by line. I flagged complicated language, rewrote sections that could be weaponized later, made sure no one slipped in terms that could burn us six months down the line.

By the time I finished the fourth file, my eyes were aching.

That’s when I noticed Daniel by the printing room. When did he even get back.

“Miss Kane,” he said softly. “Can I speak with you? In here.”

I hesitated for half a second, then stood and followed him inside.

The door closed behind us.

For a moment, neither of us spoke. I am still suspicious of him.

“I just…” he began, then stopped. He ran a hand through his hair, visibly uncomfortable. “I want to apologize again. For this morning. For everything.”

I crossed my arms, leaning lightly against the counter.

“I still can’t believe you thought so poorly of me,” I said honestly. “That you’d think I’d do something like that.”

His shoulders slumped. “I know. And I hate myself for it. I was wrong. Completely.”

His voice cracked. “I don’t expect forgiveness. But I’m sorry. Truly.”

I studied his face, it was filled with guilt written plainly across it.

Actually there's no reason to keep a grudge and it would be better for me to have an ally.

“I forgive you,” I said after a moment. “But don’t ever do something like that again.”

He nodded quickly. “Never.”

Then he lifted the stack of papers in his hands. “I reviewed the documents. I made notes where I think adjustments are needed. Photocopied everything already.”

I blinked and take a look at the documents. “You’ve done most of the work?”

“Yes,” he said. “I wanted to help. As much as I can.”

I exhaled slowly. “Okay. That helps. A lot.”

My curiosity beats me to it. “Ermm why did Mr Ashford call you out.“

He gave me some work to do and assigned as your assistant.

“Oh so like the assistance to Head of Legal”

“Yes” he replied with joy and a restrained smile.

“That's a really cool post.“ I retort.

I study him a bit longer and I realize why I forgave for what he pulled this morning. Honestly I wondered why I didn't even call the police on him instantly, if four wasn't there I could… would have choked.

But I see it now, I guess I saw a bit of myself through him. He was desperate for recognition. Back at Preston and Moore I always felt jealous of rich kids who their fathers introduced and skipped the initial process of junior intern and have my mates or even younger boss me around. I had had thoughts like that before too just not brazen enough to do that….in the past.

We split the remaining files between us.

Two for him. Two for me.

When we finished, he gathered the documents neatly. “Mr. Ashford said you should bring these upstairs for his final review.”

I nodded. “Alright.”

I picked up the folder with the issue I’d flagged earlier, the one with the incorrect 50–50 split. There's no way Mr Ashford would allow that ridiculous split especially when our company was bringing the main resources. Let me just make sure,i thought.

By the time I reached the executive floor, the cramps had eased. The medication had finally kicked in.

I knocked once and opened the door.

“Good afternoon, sir.”

“Good afternoon,” he replied.

I stepped in. “Daniel said I should bring these up.”

“Good,” he said, taking the folder.

I went through everything, professionally af clearly. Explained the clauses, the corrections, the potential issue with the investment split.

“This was meant to be sixty–forty,” I said, pointing. “Fifty–fifty doesn’t reflect the actual contribution. It could become a problem later.”

He nodded. “Good catch, you should inform the finance team that's probably a mistake.”

“Okay sit. That’s all,” I said, gathering myself. “I’ll take my leave.”

“Wait…Selena,” he said suddenly. Clearing his throat.

I paused.

“You were late this morning.”

“I’m sorry,” I said immediately.

He shook his head. “ That's okay, that’s not why I mentioned it.”

Then, more quietly, “Are you feeling better now? I noticed you looking unwell this morning.“

The question startled me.

“Yes,” I said. “Much better. Thank you, sir.”

“No problem,” he replied. “Selena, just take it easy.”

I give a nod.

The way he said my name…soft and unguarded felt… strange.

Out of character.

I stepped out, my mind buzzing.

He asked how I was doing.

I finished my work that day. All of it.

Daniel helped, just as he promised. I didn’t leave the office until everything was done.

As I packed up to go home, one thought lingered stubbornly in my mind.

Jayden Ashford… asked how I was doing, he noticed my uneasiness.

And

for some reason, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. The man this man stirred me up with his little gestures sure makes me blush. I let out a small smile.