Chapter 20 The Line is Crossed
"I'm... fine. There's nothing to worry about," she whispered, avoiding his gaze. The sense of awkwardness intensified.
Elliot leaned in slightly, enough to narrow the space between them even further. Audrey was sure her face was flushing now. Her chest felt tight.
"I don't need your opinion on 'fine.' You're hurt."
Elliot's tone made Audrey sigh in resignation. She looked at the half-organized documents on the table. "Then just let me finish that—"
"No," Elliot cut in firmly. He released her wrist, then took the documents from her hand. "This is not a negotiation. Go to the sofa and sit down!"
Audrey opened her mouth to argue, but Elliot raised an eyebrow, giving her a look that clearly showed any argument would be futile.
Sighing deeply, Audrey finally gave in. "Alright," she mumbled, limping slightly toward the sofa, still feeling dissatisfied.
She sat reluctantly, leaning back and watching Elliot, who was now beginning to tidy the documents on the table.
The man worked with quick, efficient movements, as if he didn't want to waste time. Occasionally, he glanced toward Audrey to ensure the woman was actually sitting still.
"Why does he have to be so stubborn, honestly..." Audrey grumbled, her voice quiet but clear enough to be heard.
Elliot paused, looking at her with one eyebrow raised. "I should be asking you that."
Realizing she had spoken too loudly, Audrey felt slightly flustered, but since she didn't want to admit her mistake, she just remained silent and glared annoyedly at her boss.
"But if you want to know the reason, it's because I don't like seeing my staff, especially the most competent ones, end up in the hospital just because they ignored their health."
Audrey rolled her eyes subtly. "In that case, why don't you just let me finish this work? Wouldn't that show my competence?"
Elliot sighed deeply, closing the last folder in his hand before placing it neatly on the table. His steps were deliberate as he walked toward Audrey. Tiredness was evident on his face.
"Competence is important, Audrey." Elliot paused before continuing. "But knowing when to stop and take care of yourself is just as important. You've done more than enough today."
Hearing the meaningful tone in Elliot's voice, Audrey looked at him with a slightly confused expression. His gaze, sharp yet somehow gentle, left Audrey speechless, unable to argue.
But the real shock came when her boss suddenly knelt down in front of Audrey. The movement was so sudden that she instinctively pulled back, her eyes behind her glasses instantly widening.
"Sir! What are you doing?" Audrey's voice was strained and slightly shaky. She tried to pull her foot away.
Unfortunately, before Audrey could manage it, Elliot had already gently touched her swollen ankle. The touch was careful, as if the man was afraid to hurt her.
Elliot examined the swelling intently, while his expression shifted from firmness to slight regret.
A muscle ticked in his jaw as his fingers traced the edge of the swelling, a silent testament to the frustration he felt—at the situation, at her stubbornness, and perhaps at his own unexpected surge of protectiveness.
"I should have forced you to go to the hospital earlier," he murmured, this time almost talking to himself.
Audrey swallowed, feeling her face heat up. She stared at the man in front of her, unable to believe that Elliot, who was known for being cold and untouchable, was actually kneeling before her with such deep concern.
Audrey's heart pounded hard, almost uncontrollably. She could even hear the rhythm in her own ears. Her breath hitched slightly, and Avery didn't dare look at the man in front of her, afraid her expression would betray what she was feeling.
'What is this?' she thought frantically. Audrey tried to convince herself that this was just a normal body response due to exhaustion. But the longer she felt Elliot's presence so close, the harder it was to deny.
"If I don't stop you, who else will?" Elliot spoke again. Though soft, his words made Avery's chest flutter once more.
'Who else?' The question echoed in Audrey's head. The woman bit her lower lip, trying to quell the chaos assailing her.
This was something else, something Audrey didn't want to admit.
"Mr. Harrington, you don't need to do this. I—"
“Stop arguing,” Elliot said quietly, his eyes meeting hers. "You don't take care of yourself. I have to make sure you do."
Audrey’s mind raced, and for a moment, she forgot about the pain in her ankle. She was suddenly very aware of how close he was, how his touch made her feel… vulnerable, yet strangely safe. The warmth from his hands spread through her, and for the first time in a long while, Audrey realized she wasn’t alone.
Her heart was still pounding almost hurting her chest, but it wasn’t just from the physical pain anymore. She felt heat creeping up her face, and her clenched hands tightened further in her lap.
Audrey knew Elliot was a man of control, someone who rarely showed his emotional side. But why did his gaze and words just now feel so sincere, so... personal?
When the man stood up and let out a long sigh, Audrey felt a slight relief, but also disappointment. Somehow, a small part of her wished Elliot hadn't pulled away so easily.
Seeing the confusion on his secretary's face, Caleb scoffed softly and clapped his hands together as if brushing off dirt. "I'm not trying to make this dramatic. I just want to ensure you don't make things worse."
Audrey came back to her senses and chuckled wryly, with a little annoyance surfacing. "Thank you, Mr. Harrington. But you really don't need to worry like this—"
Elliot’s voice grew serious again as he looked down at her. "You're important to me, Audrey. Don’t make me keep reminding you of that."
The words sounded simple, but there was something in the way Elliot said them, firm without doubt, that made all of Audrey's emotional walls feel cracked.
All day, Audrey had been tossed back and forth by her own boss.…