TRIGGER MY HEART

Trigger My Heart Chapter 10: The Contract

Kai sat at the head of the boardroom table, his face unreadable, his fingers tapping lightly on the polished surface. The air in the room felt heavy, and the executives surrounding him knew better than to speak out of turn.

Richard Harlan, Kai's uncle and temporary board chairman, stood at the front of the room with an all-too-confident look on his face.

"This contract is ready to be confirmed," Richard said. "River Ellison will serve as Mr. Harlan's personal secretary, effective immediately. The paperwork is complete."

One of the older executives leaned forward. "Why this young man? Mr. Harlon has always worked alone."

Another woman added, "We've all noticed a change in his behavior lately. Shouldn't we reconsider bringing a complete outsider into such a private role?"

Richard cleared his throat. "Mr. Ellison came highly recommended. He's already proven competent. Mr. Harlon needs someone to ease his workload. This is a decision backed by my authority."

Everyone turned to Kai.

He hadn't spoken.

His jaw tightened. He picked up the file in front of him, flipped through the pages, then signed his name at the bottom without hesitation.

"I've signed," Kai said, voice like ice. "There's nothing more to discuss."

He stood, buttoned his coat, and walked out without another word.

By noon, the entire office was talking.

River Ellison had officially become Kai Harlon's personal secretary.

And nobody understood why.

"Maybe they dated in the past," one whispered near the coffee machine.

"I think he's blackmailing the boss," another added.

" No I think he is just working'

"No one just walks into a job like that. Not under Harlon."

"He's cute though. I'll give him that."

River passed by them with a quiet nod. He heard every word, but he didn't stop. His footsteps were steady, his face calm. But his heart thudded hard against his chest.

He didn't ask to be noticed.

But they were all watching.

---

Later that day, River sat at his corner desk outside Kai's office. He arranged files, replied to emails, memorized every item on the CEO's calendar. He was efficient, polite, professional.

Just like he promised he'd be.

But nothing could silence the whispers.

"Isn't that the new CEO'S secretary ?"

"They seem to be an intense atmosphere around them right?"

"Something's going on. And it's personal."

Mara, the assistant who used to sit there, now avoided looking at River.

But it wasn't the gossip that made River nervous.

It was Kai.

---

"Kai wants you."

River looked up. Mara stood near his desk, tablet in hand, eyes tired.

He stood and walked into the office.

Kai didn't look up.

River stood quietly by the desk, hands at his side.

"Sit," Kai said.

River sat.

Kai flipped through a document. "Your contract is confirmed. You'll be expected to work late. Travel with me when required. You'll handle my meetings, reports, and calls. Nothing more."

River nodded. "Understood."

Kai looked up, finally meeting his eyes. His voice lowered.

"I don't know why you're really here. But I signed because I want to see what you're hiding."

River didn't flinch. "I'm not hiding anything."

Kai leaned forward. "You disappeared for ten years. You left without saying a word. And now you walk into my office like nothing happened."

"I didn't plan this," River said, voice soft. "But I'm here now. You can use me however you want."

Kai stood and walked to the window, staring out at the skyline.

"You're not the same," he muttered. "But you still look at me like you used to."

River stood slowly. "Because I still remember."

Kai didn't reply. His hand curled into a fist at his side.

"Get back to work," he said without turning.

River walked out.

---

Days passed.

Kai didn't speak to River unless it was for business. But he always noticed him. Every time River walked into a room. Every time he stood beside him at meetings. Every time he touched a file Kai had touched.

He noticed.

He hated that he noticed.

River worked quietly. He stayed behind when others left. He memorized Kai's moods. Learned to move around his anger. But even in silence, the past never left.

---

Thursday night, the office was dark. The staff had all gone home.

Except River.

Kai walked out of his office, jacket over his arm, ready to leave.

Then he saw him.

River was at his desk, head resting on his arms, breathing steady. Asleep.

Files lay around him, highlighter in hand. He must have passed out from exhaustion.

Kai stood still.

Then quietly walked to the closet and pulled out a soft gray blanket.

He placed it over River's shoulders.

Then turned off the lamp.

He didn't say a word.

Didn't touch him.

Didn't even look back.

He just left.

---

The next morning, River woke up confused.

The blanket still rested on his shoulders.

He looked around. No one else was there.

But something in his chest stirred.

A part of Kai was still there. Still buried under that cold armor.

Still watching.

Still hurting.

Still trying not to care.

---

And from that day, River knew one thing:

He hadn't come back just to work.

He came back… to finish something.

Whether it was forgiveness—or a final goodbye.