Mia bursts through the emergency stairwell door, the slam echoing sharply behind her. She collapses onto the steps, burying her face in her arms, her shoulders trembling as the tears finally break free.
Moments later, the door creaks open again. Ben has followed her.
He doesn't speak right away. Instead, he crouches down in front of her, waiting in silence, giving her space until she's ready.
Eventually, Mia lifts her head, eyes swollen, cheeks wet. Ben gently reaches out, brushing away her tears and tucking a few loose strands of hair behind her ear.
"Does he think he's the only one who got hurt?" she asks between sobs. "I was hurting too…"
She sniffles, her voice cracking. "He's such a mean guy." Her words are raw. "I poured everything into that project—my time, my heart—to finally get recognized, and he just ignores me like I don't matter."
"If you were in my position," Mia says, her voice shaky but firm, "and you saw the person you thought you were special to… hugging someone else—what would you feel?" She looks directly at Ben, seeking honesty.
Ben meets her eyes, his hand still resting gently on her cheek, no longer moving, just there—steady.
"You're asking me that," he says softly, "while talking about another man… like we didn't kiss just a few days ago."
"That stings a little," he says, tilting his head slightly. "I don't like it when you talk about other men like that."
He gives her a small, wry smile—not mocking, but sincere, touched with something deeper.
Then his voice drops, quieter, steadier. "But like I told you… if I really like someone, I don't play around. I'm serious about that woman."
She doesn't respond—not because she doesn't want to, but because she doesn't know how. Still, her eyes stay on Ben. Watching him. Listening in silence.
Ben gives her one last gentle stroke on the head, then stands up.
"Come out when you're ready, okay?" he says, with a soft smile.
Before leaving, he shrugs off his shirt jacket and drapes it gently over her shoulders, then turns and walks away.
_________________________________________________
Mia returns to her desk, still holding Ben's jacket in her hands.
"Mia, what happened to you? When you slammed your hands on your desk, that really scared me," Jella says, both concerned and curious.
"Sorry," Mia replies softly, not offering any more explanation.
As she sits down, she notices Ben's chair is empty. She gently places his jacket on it, then glances toward Kevin's office—also empty.
Her eyes linger for a moment. She tries to focus, but the weight of everything makes her slump forward onto her desk.
Then—tap. Something cold touches the top of her head. She looks up.
Ben stands there, holding out a cold canned coffee.
"This might help," he says with a small smile.
Mia gives him a grateful look and smiles back. "Thank you, Ben."
Ben returns to his seat and gets back to work. Mia keeps looking at him, a new thought dawning on her. Ben is always there—especially when she needs someone the most.
Leaning toward him slightly, she asks, "Do you want to eat something after work?"
Ben glances at her, surprised—it's the first time Mia has ever asked him to go out for a meal.
"Sure," he replies calmly. "I'll find a place with really good food to lift your mood."
Then, with a small smirk, he adds, "So don't be sad anymore. And especially not because of other men."
He gently pinches her cheek.
Mia winces playfully. "Ouch."
She nods, a small smile lingering on her lips.
_________________________________________________
"Let's go?" Ben asks with a hopeful smile. "There's this pasta place I've been meaning to try. The reviews say the food's amazing."
Mia smiles softly and nods. "Yeah… let's go."
Just as they're about to step out, Mia's phone rings. The sound cuts through the air like a blade.
She glances at the screen—and freezes.
Kevin.
Her fingers hover over the screen, caught in hesitation. Her heart stutters. A quiet war brews inside her—should she answer or let it ring?
Before she can decide, Ben reaches over and gently takes the phone from her hand. Without waiting, he answers, his voice flat and cold.
"Hello?"
There's a pause on the other end. Then an unfamiliar voice responds, hesitant, "Uh… is this Mia's phone?"
"Yes. Who's speaking?" Ben asks, his tone guarded and already laced with irritation.
"This is the bartender at Amber's Lounge. There's a guy here who's really drunk. He keeps asking for someone named Mia. I didn't know who else to call, so I checked his phone and found her number."
Ben sighs, rubbing a hand over his face. "How much did he drink?"
"Way too much," the bartender replies. "He's not causing trouble, just keeps calling out her name. Over and over."
Mia, now visibly concerned, steps closer. "Who's drunk?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper. "Kevin?"
Ben looks at her, gives a small nod, then speaks back into the phone. "Alright. Stay with him. I'M coming." He ends the call and lets out a groan.
"This guy is unbelievable," Ben mutters, grabbing his keys.
Mia steps in front of him, stopping him. "Wait—I'm coming too."
Ben pauses, his frustration clearly surfacing. "Why?" he asks, his voice sharper than before.
"He was calling for me, right?" she says quietly, her gaze meeting his. "Maybe there's something he wants to say."
Ben stares at her for a long second. His jaw tightens, his hands ball slightly at his sides. But he doesn't argue. He just gives a tense nod and heads for the door.
Mia follows without another word, her heart pounding. She doesn't know what Kevin wants to say. She doesn't even know if she's ready to hear it.
But something inside her whispers: she has to go.