"Are you sure you're actually ready to be back here so soon? I mean, it's only been a week, Andro."

"I'm sure. Staying at home- while it helped me get myself a bit sorted out- it was forcing me to sit and do nothing. I know I still need a bit to grieve. But I also need to do something more substantial with my time. Working will help keep my mind occupied too. I'd rather have that if I'm being honest."

"...Just make sure to ask for help if you need it."

"I will, I promise."

Both men stepped out of the elevator together. Alessandro's left hand was occupied as it carried his briefcase. The right appendage was held by a smaller, more slender one. Bare arms were mere centimeters apart since Lance wanted to stay close.

He wasn't scheduled to work today; but he'd decided to tag along to kill some time in the main office. At least, that was the reason he gave while getting ready to head out. It was more so to give Alessandro some peace of mind by having a support person alongside him, rather than actually helping with whatever menial tasks which needed to get done.

Either way, Lance's decision to come in was more than welcomed.

They were both surprised as the usual flock of department heads didn't crowd them like normal. No one asked for help in other areas of the building. No one asked to set up meetings about issues which could honestly be done over email. No one asked about potential documents that needed to be gone over. Instead, friendly waves were given when people realized the big boss was back. An air of calm emanated from them.

It was relieving to know the business hadn't gone up in flames or lost its momentum while Alessandro was gone. He didn't actually believe anything would happen, but he'd never been away for such an extended period of time.

With his absence being so substantial—to him, anyway—there was a slight fear that work wouldn't get done if he wasn't there to oversee everything.

It seemed that fear was unwarranted.

"Afternoon, guys," Stephan greeted with a smile. "It's good to see you both back again. Just so you know, the department heads have agreed to give you some space to let things simmer down. They don't want you jumping into work too quickly, Mr. Bale. Everyone wants to give you a bit to get your groove back. But don't worry, there's no rush."

"Thank you, Steph. I appreciate it."

"Also" —he glanced toward the main office— "there's a potential model waiting for you. Unfortunately, we don't have anything in terms of information for her because she was a walk-in. I tried to tell her to schedule an appointment like everyone else, but she was very adamant about seeing you. If you need me to, I can get security to escort her out."

"Eh, it's all right. If she's already here then there's no point in making her wait. I just need to give her- ah, damn, I knew I forgot something. I think I left the complimentary packets in the car. Lance, could you go grab those for me? I'm sorry, I know we just got up here."

"Don't worry about it. I don't mind taking a little walk."

"Thanks- I owe you one."

Lance waved his free hand as a nonverbal gesture to say there was nothing to be owed. He kissed the appendage in his grasp before letting it go.

Green eyes watched the male's retreating form until it disappeared behind a set of metal doors.

"You're absolutely smitten, aren't you?"

"You have no idea."

Stephan shook his head, smiling. He sat back down behind his computer. "Let me know if you need anything, okay?"

"Yeah. Really, thank you, Steph. You stepping up is making this a lot easier on me."

"Of course. And hey, if you're free in a couple days, maybe we should do something. I think it'd do you some good to hang out with friends."

"That sounds nice, actually. I'll keep in touch with you about that. We could grab dinner or something along those lines."

Offering his own soft grin, Alessandro turned his attention to his office doors. He took in the sight of a woman standing by the windows, most likely enjoying the view of bustling city life below.

She had bright, almost neon wavy blue hair that ended at her lower back. A thin long sleeved crop top showed a bit of skin, but the sliver was only an inch or so wide. Dark skinny jeans hugged her lower half. Natural curves were further enhanced by the tight articles of clothing. Both hands were clasped behind her back as well, portraying an air of ease and confidence.

Even with her face being hidden, he could tell she was pretty.

Hopefully the woman was also a respectful, kindhearted individual. That'd make her a good candidate in terms of being a model; especially since people's outward appearances weren't the only deciding factor when it came to working for Bale's Path to Fashion.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting," Alessandro announced upon walking into his office. He crossed over to the back of his desk to set down his briefcase. "Normally we don't take walk-ins, but I'll make an exception for today. I do have other engagements that need attending to though, so this meeting will have to be a little short."

"You sure you can't lengthen it for an old friend, Andro?"

He sucked in a breath.

The woman's voice, albeit slightly deeper thanks to years worth of aging, could be picked out from a crowd easily.

It made every single hair stand up.

Uncomfortable pangs stabbed themselves into cramping abdominal walls. Furious bees began swarming throughout a dry throat. Fuzzy static started building in trembling hands.

Alessandro did his best to keep his face neutral when turning around. He felt the mask of Mr. Bale quaking as soon as he came face to face with his greatest regret in life.

"...Kassandra."

She grinned, two dermal piercings shifting in the flesh of her cheeks. "No need to sound so hostile, Andro-"

"Don't call me that. I'm on the clock, so it's Mr. Bale to you. And even if I wasn't- we aren't close. Only my friends get to call me things like that."

"Aww, you don't consider me a friend anymore?"

"You know damn fucking well I don't."

Kassandra giggled. She slowly made her way over to the other side of the desk. Piercing gray eyes drilled into Alessandro's frame while doing so. "I can't believe you're still so hung up after... How many years?"

"Almost eleven. But it isn't surprising that you don't remember considering you didn't give a shit about ruining my life in the first place." A quick, calming breath was taken. "...What do you want? I know for certain that you're not interested in being a model, or else you would've taken this meeting more seriously. So what exactly do you want from me here?"

"Is it so bad that I want to see you? Jeez, my boyfriend was right- you really are testy."

Alessandro's eyes narrowed. He wasn't sure who exactly would  say such a thing about him since he didn't get angry or standoffish very often in public. "And who exactly would that be?"

"Oh, you should know him. He's the one who told me where to find you. His name's Donovan. You know, blond hair, septum piercing, brown eyes."

Kassandra was dating Donovan? Talk about a match made in heaven. Or maybe Hell considering the absolute monsters both people were.

"Y'know, it was actually crazy how I ran into him," she continued, not paying any mind to the menacing glare pointed her way. "You remember how I moved out of town when high school was over? I went off to go do some other things. Didn't really see a point in college, so I never went. Just did a lot of traveling abroad. Kind of tanked my savings though. So for awhile, I was just going around- ended up working a lot of retail. Kind of just found my way back here since I lost my job as a secretary at a tattoo shop.

"I ended up running into Donovan at the gym I've been going to. We started talking, and I told him about how I needed a place to stay since I was almost out of money. Lucky for me, he had a vacancy in his apartment. He didn't really go into much detail about what happened with his last roommate- but he did say they were a rude, standoffish type of person who didn't know when to appreciate the things they had. Said they got into an argument about a boyfriend or something like that- and the roommate got fed up. I think Donovan was in the right to kick them out considering they were the ones intruding on his space.

"Either way- after living together, we got to know each other a little bit. Didn't take much for us to start dating. And now, not only do I have an apartment, but I also have the most amazing boyfriend.~"

It took every ounce of self control for Alessandro to not roll his eyes. "And what exactly does that have to do with you being here?"

"Oh! I was talking about old boyfriends with him, and you were brought up. He pointed me in the direction of where to find you to give me a chance to catch up with my favorite guy.~"

"First of all, I was never your fucking boyfriend- so let's get that straight. Second, I'm not your favorite anything. And lastly- cool, now you know where I work. Could you do me a favor and kindly leave now?"

Kassandra's excited expression fell to that of a sad pout. It was easy to see that her distress was nothing more than a feigned attempt at getting attention or some form of sympathy.

Even after all these years, she still didn't understand the concept of 'no'.

"I just wanted to see if it was true."

"If what was true?"

"That you're still a total heartthrob worth screwing."

Alessandro clenched his jaw. He felt phantom hands grazing across his skin. He felt phantom lips pushing against his own with enough ferocity to leave bruises.

The thought made his skin crawl.

"Get out of my office."

"Aww, come on-"

"Get out."

"You can't still be upset about-"

"What, you assaulting me?" He sneered.

"Oh please, honey, it was just a kiss. You really call that assault?"

"Considering you did it when you knew damn well I didn't fucking want it? Yeah, I do. Now get the fuck out of my office."

To show that he didn't want to talk anymore, Alessandro took out a few random files from his briefcase. He turned his back on Kassandra and walked over to a tall filing cabinet to his right.

One of the middle drawers was pulled out. Manilla colored folders crinkled at their edges because of a particularly hard grip against their fragile surfaces. Handwritten labels worked as a guide in regard to the folders' correct placements. They were slid into narrow slots in a sluggish manner.

Uncomfortable heat continued to pool in both palms with every passing second.

One by one, metal drawers were opened and slammed closed. Alessandro begrudgingly turned around when every file was put away.

He felt like ice had lodged itself into his stomach when two strong hands shoved him back against the cabinet. An arm shot out to keep him from falling over.

Lavender scented perfume invaded both nostrils. As did a faint, powdery aroma most likely stemming from a heavy usage of caramel colored concealer. Two steps were taken forward, stilettos clacking against white tiling. Firm breasts were pushed against Alessandro's chest. He didn't dare move when a single finger dragged along his sternum.

"You used to think that I was so beautiful. I'm sure you still do. So why let it go to waste?"

"Get- get your hands off of me."

"Now why would I do that, darling? Afraid someone will catch us in the act again? That wasn't much fun when we were younger, but maybe it'd be more exciting for people to watch this time. You know better than anyone how much I like to put on a good show."

Alessandro shuddered in legitimate disgust. Bile began swimming up his throat, burning it. A frightened whimper was forced down alongside an unconscious gulp.

It was getting harder to breathe.

One of the glass doors opened. Both people looked over. 

Lance stood frozen with thick packets clutched against his chest.

Stephan could be seen on the company's landline, a deep frown marring his features.

Multiple employees who were lingering in the background watched on with wide eyes.

For a second, no one moved.

The moment was shattered when the packets were dropped to the floor.

"You bitch."

Kassandra smirked in response. "Well, well, if it isn't Lance-"

"Get your grimy fucking hands off of him. Now."

"Why? Afraid I'll steal him again?"

"You didn't steal him, you psycho! You scarred him!"

"Would he let me do this if I actually scarred him?"

The hand running along Alessandro's chest shot downward with the intent of grabbing him somewhere else. Before the gesture could fully happen though, Lance shoved Kassandra away. 

She staggered backwards before accidentally tripping. A surprised grunt escaped her when she landed on the ground.

Lance took her spot, tight fists balled at his sides, to shield Alessandro.

Unfortunately, the damage had already been done.

His vision tunneled. His heart started beating erratically in its confines. A sharp gasp couldn't be stifled.

For a moment, he wasn't in the office anymore. He was back in the two bedroom apartment which housed the Bale family over a decade prior.

***

Mustard walls were streaked with orange rays thanks to a setting sun perched outside of an open window. A wooden shelf housed multiple books with spines ranging in colors and fonts. Clothes were strewn across the floor, spilling from a basket which had fallen on its side by the rug. Contents from a green bookbag had been thrown; papers, pencils, and markers careened beneath the twin sized bed. Its wooden frame creaked. A striped comforter was hanging off of the edge.

Pained gasps were muffled by a set of intrusive, unwelcomed lips. A trembling body was held down against the mattress by a set of feminine hands.

An overwhelming sensation of being trapped with nowhere to go was encompassing. Genuine fear brought about hot, burning tears.

Alessandro couldn't control his breathing, and inadvertently started to hyperventilate.

***

The momentary flashback felt like it only lasted a second. But when Alessandro came back to reality, he was hyperventilating on the floor with his head buried in his hands.

Shouting from multiple people could be heard. Pounding footsteps could be too. But it was difficult to make anything out when heavy breathing and rapid thumping was louder. When fight or flight reflexes screamed that he needed to run, run, run.

It wasn't safe, so his body took the reins by trying to shield itself. Wide green eyes filled with tears behind clenched fingers.

He jumped when someone placed a hand on his shoulder. He was gently pulled forward; and suddenly the world was engulfed in darkness. A second hand began running along each ridge of an arched spine. Up and down in a slow manner. Quiet whispers were chanted like an intimate ballad, but the words themselves couldn't be made out.

Whatever was in front of him was soft. A bit angular in some places as well. It was warm. And it smelled nice too. Like sweet vanilla, spicy cinnamon, and just a smidge of crisp apple—very reminiscent of that morning's late breakfast.

It smelled like Lance.

Like home.

Quaking hands darted forward to take hold of a formfitting T-shirt. The fabric immediately caught falling tears and hid them in a sea of black. Quiet sniffles were muffled.

Soothing words and gentle caresses never stopped.

Alessandro tried to convince himself to calm down, but he didn't know what to do. When he had panic attacks in the past, he'd just let them run their course. Whatever havoc they caused was dealt with by being buried, and he was left feeling empty.

Going numb after feeling way too much was terrifying though, especially in that moment.

So he did his best to at least slow down rapid breaths. Maybe he'd be able to hear better after a frenzied pulse stopped beating so loudly in his ears.

The first attempt at relaxing was met with dry coughing. As were the second, third, and fourth tries. The fifth was a little better, but it picked up again toward the end because of an uncomfortable burning in his throat.

With time, ragged breathing slowed down to mimic the sluggish passes being made along his spine. A frantic heart was still thumping, just not as loud. It was easier to take the world in once things became a little clearer.

"-ust like that, Andro. Nice and slow. I've got you- you're safe now-"

"Lance..?"

Delicate rubbing stopped. An impromptu hug was reciprocated instead. "Oh, thank fuck."

Alessandro's face was pulled out of hiding. Before he could say anything else, it was peppered with fast, clumsy kisses. The last one lingered on his forehead. He gazed into a pair of worried eyes as his cheeks were cupped.

"How- how long was I..?"

"It doesn't matter. What matters is that you're back with me again."

Lance offered a shaky smile. It was clear that he was quite frazzled himself but didn't want to say anything. Instead of admitting such a thing, he pulled Alessandro in for another tight hug.

The embrace shed light on blinding relief, as well as a particular unspoken phrase.