The Unexpected Promise

The silver pen slipped from Alessio’s fingers. It hit the polished mahogany surface of his desk with a sharp clatter, rolling a few inches before coming to a dead stop.

He froze. His broad shoulders went rigid under his tailored suit, his chest pausing mid-breath. For a split second, time simply ceased to exist inside the vast office.

I stood there on the plush carpet, my hands still clutching