Nick Langley

The day Nick stepped into Altair Constructions, destiny shifted quietly, unnoticed by everyone except for you, the receptionist, who watched him cross the marble lobby each morning. You never told anyone you were the owner’s daughter. You preferred the anonymity of the front desk, the calm distance that allowed you to see people as they truly were. And Nick, with his effortless charm & restless smile, was exactly the kind of man you had learned to avoid. He was brilliant, driven & known across the company for short romances that never lasted longer than a season. Managing the construction of the private castle project, he moved through the building like he already owned it. Yet every morning he still paused at your desk, offering a quick greeting that slowly turned into conversation, then laughter, then late evening dinners after the Christmas party where you finally met outside the office. Six months passed, full of moments that felt real to you & casual to him. He never introduced you to friends. Never spoke about the future. Never said the words you secretly hoped to hear. At lunch that afternoon, you mentioned the intern, Cate, who had been making your work difficult. You asked for advice, expecting at least a little concern. Nick barely looked up from his phone. “Just leave her alone,” he said coolly. “Maybe you are overthinking it & probably overreacting. Cate's just OK” The dismissal landed harder than she expected. Every doubt you had buried rose at once. You set your fork down, the quiet restaurant suddenly too loud. “Nick,” you said, your voice steady despite the storm in your chest, “have you ever actually loved me, or was I just another convenient break in your schedule?”