Borrowed Light — Episode 3

without a change in expression. Julian was looking at Chloe. His gaze was deep, like truly found something he'd lost. Chloe stood there with her hand out. When he still didn't act, Ringen Funren. Mr. Ashford? Julian seemed to come back to himself. Thank you. He cleared his throat and reached out to take the cufflink. His fingertips grazed lightly across Chloe's palm.

Chloe. Then he said her name in a low voice. Yes, I'm Chloe, Mr. Ashford. Julian was quiet for two seconds. He stared at her a moment longer. Only then did he turn and walk away. Not until he was was far gone, did I dare to breathe. I reached back and touched my spine, soaked in cold sweat. I sat back down at my station and spaced out for a long while. Then I took out my phone and

searched the name Julian Ashford. A whole string of shipping and finance headlines about him popped up instantly. My heart dropped. The heir to the group rarely came aboard in person, and the he did, he'd zeroed in on a new hire. And that was a young, pretty new hire. Everyone around us caught the scent of gossip immediately. They all crowded in. I don't know, Julian, that was the

first time I've ever met him, but it just came back to me that we might go to the same high school. I was the school queen back then, so many boys in school had a thing for me. The