Chapter 10 - THE WOMAN WHO STOOD BESIDE HIM
Z
Julian's return changed everything.
The investigation gained a living witness.
The company faced intense scrutiny.
Reporters camped outside headquarters.
Investors demanded explanations.
And Roman discovered that protecting his brother meant giving up the illusion that he could manage every consequence.
Julian stayed in a secure apartment arranged with professional support.
He began working with a therapist.
He also reconnected with Isabel Flores, who had volunteered through a community nursing program and helped coordinate some of his appointments.
Narelli remained careful not to turn Julian into a project.
She asked what he wanted.
She listened when he answered.
Roman noticed.
One evening, he found Narelli in the kitchen preparing tea.
“You've been working sixteen-hour days.”
She shrugged.
“Only fourteen today.”
Roman frowned.
“That isn't funny.”
“I wasn't joking.”
He took the kettle from her.
“Sit.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“Are you ordering me?”
He stopped.
Then smiled.
“Would you please sit?”
“Much better.”
They sat beside the window.
Roman looked at her.
“Narelli, I owe you more than I can repay.”
She sighed.
“Please don't offer me a bonus.”
He laughed.
“I wasn't going to.”
“Good.”
He hesitated.
“There's something else.”
She looked up.
Roman took a breath.
“I think about you when you're not in the room.”
Narelli went still.
He continued.
“Not because I need a meeting scheduled. Not because there's a crisis.”
Her expression softened.
“Roman.”
“I know you're my employee.”
He nodded.
“And I know that matters.”
They talked honestly.
About the power difference.
About her career.
About the possibility that affection could complicate everything they'd built professionally.
Narelli refused to become another woman whose success was explained through her relationship with a powerful man.
Roman understood.
They agreed not to pursue anything romantic while she reported directly to him.
Narelli began considering a senior operations position with independent authority and board oversight.
It was a promotion she had earned long before either of them acknowledged their feelings.
Before she left, Roman walked her to the door.
“Narelli.”
She turned.
“Yes?”
He smiled faintly.
“When all this is over, may I ask you to dinner?”
She considered.
Then smiled.
“You may ask.”
“Will you say yes?”
“That depends.”
“On what?”
“Whether you remember to make a reservation.”
May you like
Roman laughed.
And for the first time in months, the sound came easily.
