Chapter 6 - The Woman Roman Should Have Chosen
Three weeks passed.
Tessa did not return.
Roman discovered how many invisible things she had done only after she stopped doing them.
His coffee appeared wrong.
Meetings overlapped.
Marco entered his office one morning carrying three folders.
“I miss Tessa.”
Roman glared at him.
“Professionally.”
“Get out.”
Marco grinned.
“You could call her.”
“She resigned.”
“She didn’t die.”
“She asked for distance.”
“And since when do you respect boundaries?”
Roman looked at him.
Marco raised both hands.
“Recent development. Very impressive.”
Roman threw a pen at him.
Marco left laughing.
That afternoon, Roman received a package.
Inside was a black binder.
CASTELL TRANSITION — FINAL
Every system documented.
Every contingency updated.
Every loose end closed.
On the final page was one handwritten sentence.
Now build something you don’t need me to protect you from. — T
Roman read it three times.
Then he picked up his coat.
Tessa had rented a small office downtown.
When Roman arrived, she was sitting behind a plain wooden desk.
She looked up.
“No appointment.”
“I know.”
“That usually bothers me.”
“I know.”
“You’re doing it anyway.”
“Yes.”
She leaned back.
“What do you want?”
Roman remained standing.
“To apologize properly.”
Tessa’s expression changed slightly.
He continued.
“I used your competence as an excuse not to consider your feelings.”
She said nothing.
“I told myself you were safe because I protected you physically.”
“You did.”
“But I gave you no control over the life surrounding you.”
“No.”
“I expected loyalty without giving you honesty.”
“Yes.”
“And I almost married another woman without telling the person whose life would be affected most.”
Tessa looked away.
Roman swallowed.
“I hurt you.”
“Yes.”
No excuses.
No arguments.
Just the truth.
Roman nodded.
“I’m sorry.”
Tessa looked back at him.
“Thank you.”
He breathed out.
Then turned toward the door.
“That’s it?”
Roman stopped.
She almost smiled.
“You came here only to apologize?”
“Yes.”
“You’re terrible at this.”
“I’m learning.”
Tessa stood.
“Roman.”
He turned.
“What are you building?”
He frowned.
She tapped the binder.
“I told you to build something I don’t need to protect you from.”
Roman understood.
“I’ve started separating legitimate businesses from everything else.”
Tessa stared.
“How much?”
“Thirty percent.”
“In three weeks?”
“I’ve been busy.”
“And the rest?”
“Going.”
“That could take years.”
“I have years.”
Tessa walked around the desk.
“Why?”
Roman looked at her.
“Because I finally understood something.”
“What?”
“I kept saying everything I did was to protect the people around me.”
He stepped closer.
“But if everyone needs protection because of me, then I’m the problem.”
Tessa’s eyes softened.
Roman continued.
“I’m not asking you to come back.”
“Good.”
“I’m not asking you to work for me.”
“Better.”
“And I’m definitely not proposing anything.”
Tessa laughed.
It was the first time he had heard that sound in weeks.
Roman smiled.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“You’re laughing at me.”
“A little.”
“I’ll accept it.”
Tessa studied him.
Then she asked quietly, “Dinner?”
Roman blinked.
“What?”
“Dinner. Two people. No security briefing. No business merger. No strategic purpose.”
Roman looked almost suspicious.
“Is this a trap?”
“Yes.”
“What kind?”
“The kind where you have to talk about yourself.”
He grimaced.
“Cruel.”
“Seven o’clock.”
Roman smiled.
“I’ll be there.”
Tessa pointed toward him.
“And Roman?”
“Yes?”
“No bodyguards at the next table.”
“Two tables away?”
“Roman.”
“One outside.”
She sighed.
“Fine.”
He opened the door.
For the first time in five years, Tessa watched Roman Castell leave her office without giving her an order.
May you like
And for the first time, she wanted him to come back.
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