Chapter 6 Corporate Hostage Situation (Aka Team-building Day)

Clara didn’t hate many things. She considered herself a person of balance. But “mandatory team-building retreats” were up there with slow walkers, bad coffee, and Julian Nightingale’s smug face. So naturally, the company decided the best way to boost morale was to stick the entire executive transition team in a lakeside lodge for the weekend. Because nothing says productive workplace culture like trust falls and screaming into the wilderness. She stepped off the shuttle bus wearing all black like she was mourning her dignity. “Is this... camping? Are we camping?” Julian came up behind her, dressed in—of course—a perfectly fitted fleece and jeans that probably cost more than her rent. “Technically, we’re glamping.” Clara didn’t break eye contact. “You just said that out loud.” “You’re not a nature person, are you?” “I like nature just fine when it’s far away and behind glass.” ⚡ By hour three of the “bonding experience,” Clara had faked two headaches, one twisted ankle, and the sudden death of a fake cat. Julian saw through all of them. “You’re not going to get out of this,” he said, lounging beside her at the firepit. “You could at least pretend to try.” Clara squinted at him. “I will stab you with this marshmallow skewer.” “I’d like to see you try. I’ve been stabbed before.” She blinked. “Wait—what?” He smiled like he’d just told her he once jaywalked, not survived a felony. “Boarding school in Switzerland. Long story.” “I suddenly feel like I don’t know enough about your criminal background.” Julian leaned closer, conspiratorially. “You don’t know enough about me, period.” Clara made a note to avoid all future eye contact. ⚡ The team-building leader, a woman named Stephanie with terrifying positivity and a whistle, stood before the group clapping her hands. “Next up: The Trust Obstacle Course!” Clara leaned over to Olivia. “What happens if I simply perish right now?” Olivia handed her a granola bar. “We tell HR you went out doing what you loved—avoiding effort.” “Touching,” Clara muttered. ⚡ They were paired together, of course. Clara suspected the universe was doing this on purpose now. “Julian, you’re Clara’s partner for the blindfold maze,” Stephanie chirped. “Of course I am,” Clara whispered to no one. She tied the blindfold over her eyes and instantly regretted everything. “Okay,” Julian said gently, his voice behind her. “One step forward.” “I swear to God, if you lead me into a bush—” “I would never,” he said, mock-offended. “You’re far too sharp. The bush would lose.” Clara laughed before she could stop herself. That traitorous little snort that escaped her nose was enough for Julian to smirk the entire way through the maze. ⚡ That night, after too many s’mores and not enough dignity, Clara found herself walking alone along the path near the lake. The moonlight shimmered on the water, casting everything in silver and shadow. “Trouble sleeping?” came Julian’s voice behind her. She didn’t jump. She didn’t need to turn to know it was him. “I’m just—thinking.” He stepped beside her. “Dangerous habit.” They stood in silence for a moment, the kind that didn’t feel heavy. Just... familiar. Like she’d done this before. Stood beside him. Under a different sky. She shook the thought off. Julian broke the silence. “You’re different from what I expected.” “Oh? And what did you expect?” “A social climber. Cold. Calculating.” Clara raised a brow. “Charming.” He shrugged. “I was wrong.” She didn’t answer. Because for once, he didn’t sound like he was trying to win. ⚡ Back in her cabin, Clara stared at the ceiling, wide awake. Something about this entire trip had unsettled her. Not the nature. Not the team-building. Him. The way he looked at her. Like he knew her. Like he recognized something she couldn’t explain. She pressed her fingers to her temples. “I need therapy,” she whispered to herself. Then added, “...and a restraining order for fate.”