Forbidden Stranger

Bella leans across the table like she's about to stage an intervention. "Okay," she says. "We need to talk about what just happened." "I know what happened," I reply. "He called." "No," she corrects. "He targeted." I stir my coffee even though I don't want it, spoon clinking too loud against the cup. "You're being dramatic." "Janyia," she says, voice dropping. "Power doesn't call you personally unless it wants something." I look up at her. "You think I asked for this?" "I think you walked into a room full of sharks and slapped the biggest one on the nose," she replies. "Respectfully." I huff a laugh despite myself. "That's one way to put it." "I'm serious," she says. "He could ruin you. Or fast-track you. Or-" She grimaces. "Both." "That's everyone here," I say. "Just... louder for me." Bella watches me for a long second. "You're scared." I open my mouth to deny it. Close it. "I'm cautious," I say instead. "That's fear with better posture." I hate how easily she sees me. "I can't mess this up," I admit finally. "I don't have a cushion. If I fall, I don't bounce." Bella softens. She always does when I say things like that. "I know," she says gently. "Which is why I'm saying be careful with him." "With Eric." She nods. "Yes. With Eric Dusine who looks calm but runs a company that eats people for breakfast." "He wasn't cruel," I say. "He was... precise." "That's worse," Bella replies. My phone buzzes again on the table between us. This time, it's a text. Unknown: Check your email. I don't like that my hands hesitate before picking the phone up. I open my inbox. At the top, flagged urgent: From: Apex Program Administration Subject: Additional Evaluation – Mandatory My chest tightens. Bella reads my face instantly. "What is it." "Mandatory evaluation," I say. "Additional." Her eyebrows shoot up. "Already?" I open the email. Ms. Hefling, You have been selected for a supplementary assessment this afternoon. Attendance is required. Further details to follow. Selected. Like a prize. Or a warning. "This is bad," Bella says. "This is attention," I reply. "Which you told me not to earn." She groans. "You know what I meant." I lean back in my chair and exhale slowly. "I don't get to opt out." "No," she agrees. "You get to survive it." I nod once, resolve settling in. "Then I will." Bella smiles, proud and worried at the same time. "Of course you will." But as I stare down at the email again, one thought presses harder than the rest. Eric didn't just notice me. He moved me. And nothing in this program moves without purpose. I barely make it two blocks before my phone rings again. Same unknown number. I stop walking. Bella takes two more steps before realizing I'm not beside her. She turns, already knowing. "No." I answer. "Hello." "Ms. Hefling," Eric says, calm as ever. "Did you see the email?" "Yes," I reply. "I did." "Good," he says. "Then we're aligned." "Aligned on what," I ask. "On timing." My grip tightens around the phone. "The email didn't mention you." "No," he agrees. "It wouldn't." Bella crosses her arms from where she stands, watching me like she's ready to jump in front of a train if needed. "When is the evaluation," I ask. "This afternoon," he says. "In my office." I stop breathing for half a second. "I thought this was an administrative assessment," I say carefully. "It is," he replies. "I'm part of the administration." "That's not-" "Fair?" he finishes. "No. It isn't." I swallow. "Then why me." There's a pause. Not the kind that means distraction. The kind that means consideration. "Because," Eric says, "you don't act like someone who wants permission." Bella mouths hang up. "I didn't request special treatment," I say. "You didn't need to," he replies. "You demonstrated value." "That sounds subjective." "It is," he says easily. "So is success." I close my eyes briefly. When I open them, Bella is shaking her head like she's watching me walk into a trap. "What happens in this evaluation," I ask. "You answer questions," Eric says. "I observe how you think." "And then?" "And then," he says, "we decide if this program is big enough for you." My chest tightens. "That's not how this works." "That's exactly how it works," he replies. "Most people just don't realize it." I glance at Bella again. She mouths danger. "What if I say no," I ask. Eric's voice stays calm. "Then nothing happens." "That's a lie." A quiet laugh slips through the line. "You're perceptive." I exhale slowly. "Where is your office." He gives me the address like he's already certain. "I'll be there," I say. "I know," he replies. The call ends. Bella storms over the second I lower the phone. "Absolutely not." "I don't have a choice," I say. "You always have a choice." "Not this one." She grabs my shoulders. "This is how people get trapped. You know that." "I know," I say. "And I also know this program doesn't reward caution." Bella studies my face, searching for doubt. She finds resolve instead. "Text me the address," she says finally. "If you don't check in after-" "I will," I promise. She sighs. "I hate this." "So do I," I admit. But even as I say it, something else coils beneath the fear. Curiosity. Eric didn't summon me to intimidate me. He summoned me because he wanted to see me up close. And that's far more dangerous.