Beneath His Shadows

The next morning, the air felt different. It wasn't just the crispness of the early hour or the nervous energy swirling in her stomach—it was something deeper. The weight of her decision to enter Kane Industries was now fully real.

She couldn't shake the feeling that Xavier Kane was everywhere, lurking in the corners of her mind.

After arriving at work, she was escorted to a small desk just outside his office—a place that felt more like an observation point than a workspace. Her duties were vague, mostly consisting of organizing paperwork, answering calls, and handling minor tasks that no one else cared about.

But every glance toward his office sent a shiver down her spine. She couldn't help but wonder: What was he thinking? What did he see in her?

---

The First Assignment

By noon, she had already made several mistakes. The phone calls were mishandled, the files weren't in the right order, and she was starting to feel the pressure mounting. It was as though everyone could feel the tension surrounding her—Xavier Kane's presence loomed over every conversation, and every wrong move felt like it would be the last.

Then, just as she was beginning to doubt herself, the door to Xavier's office opened.

Her heart skipped a beat. She couldn't help but look up, only to meet his cold gaze.

"Ms. Green," he said, his voice as calm and commanding as ever. "I have a job for you."

She stood quickly, almost knocking over a stack of papers. "Yes, Mr. Kane?"

His eyes assessed her for a moment, a flicker of something in them—amusement, perhaps? It was hard to tell.

"I need you to meet someone for me," he said, his tone not leaving room for argument. "Go to the downtown warehouse. Bring the file with you. And don't ask questions."

Her breath caught. A warehouse? That didn't sound like a regular task.

"Yes, sir."

---

The Dangerous Task

Her hands shook as she gathered the file and quickly made her way out of the office. The air outside was humid, making her feel even more out of place in her simple attire compared to the high-end suits she passed in the building.

The warehouse was located in a much darker, industrial part of town—far removed from the polished streets surrounding Kane Industries.

When she arrived, she was immediately confronted by a guard at the entrance, his expression stoic.

"Mr. Kane's associate?" he asked, eyeing her skeptically.

She nodded, clutching the file a little tighter.

The guard motioned for her to follow, and she stepped inside, the cold, musty air filling her lungs. The warehouse was large and filled with shadows, empty crates stacked high in the corners. The sense of danger here was palpable, and her pulse quickened with every step.

She followed the guard to a small office at the back of the building, where a tall man stood waiting—his sharp suit and dark sunglasses contrasting with the gritty surroundings.

"Ms. Green, I presume?" he said smoothly, his voice matching the cold professionalism of his boss.

"Yes," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

He handed her a thick envelope. "Deliver this to Mr. Kane's office. It's urgent."

Before she could respond, the man turned and walked away, disappearing into the shadows.

---

A Close Call

When she left the warehouse, the world outside seemed strangely normal in comparison—cars honking, people chatting on their phones, the usual hustle and bustle of the city. But inside her, the unease lingered. What had she just witnessed?

She quickly hailed a cab and made her way back to Kane Industries, trying not to let her nerves get the best of her. The weight of the mysterious task she'd just completed had left her feeling like a pawn in a much larger game.

When she arrived at the office, she walked straight into the elevator, pressing the button to Xavier's floor. The familiar tension returned, but this time, it felt heavier, like something was about to happen.

---

The Encounter

She handed the envelope to his assistant, who took it without a word, and walked into Xavier Kane's office. He was sitting behind his desk, as always, but this time, there was a different look in his eyes—something that made her stomach churn.

"Well?" he asked, looking up from the papers in front of him. "Did you do as I asked?"

She nodded, her throat dry. "Yes, Mr. Kane."

"Good," he said, his lips curling into a small, almost imperceptible smile. "You're proving yourself to be more than I thought."

She felt the weight of his words. What did that mean? Was it a compliment? Or a warning?

But before she could voice her thoughts, he stood up, towering over her. His proximity made her pulse race, the air thick with a strange energy that seemed to draw her in despite the unease she felt.

"Tomorrow, I have another task for you," he said. "One that will test your loyalty."

She met his gaze, her heart pounding in her chest. Loyalty?

But she didn't have time to ask questions. He turned away and walked back to his desk, signaling the end of their conversation.

---

The Decision

As she walked out of his office, her mind raced. Loyalty? What was he expecting from her? What kind of test would come next?

But one thing was clear—Xavier Kane had her in his grasp. And there was no way out.

She had no choice but to play the game.