Two Hearts in Sync

“Like he could read her mind, he waited patiently for her to reveal her sheer determination, his gentle words of encouragement shining brightly even as she trembled with doubt.” - Daavie K.

Within the steady beat of meetings, schedules, and daily tasks, Daria often found herself in a space where nothing was said and the world around her seemed to blur, leaving her with only a faint sense of “his presence”.

She works for her boss.

It seemed strange that she thought about him so much. Admiration, maybe even respect, went beyond what was business. That feeling she couldn’t put into words happened every time they ran into each other or talked briefly in meetings.

The woman named Daria; knew she was good at her job. Although she was careful, dedicated, and focused, she was aware that the way her boss Grayson saw her, the way he seemed to see something in her that she herself had not yet revealed was different.

He was always challenging her by giving her work that did not allow her to relax. Although he would never say it, she could tell he was testing her by the way his eyes were looking at her. Although, she was unaware of the reasons, so it did not bother her.

The way Grayson led was firm but not forceful. When he did praise someone, it was always wrapped up in a challenge. He did not coddle her. Daria wanted to give him the best because he expected it from her. That feeling she could not explain settled in her chest: a strong, silent desire to show him that she could handle any task he set.

Grayson was not just seeing her as an employee, though; he saw something much deeper. What impressed him about her was how strong she was, how she took on tough jobs without complaining, and how she took criticism and turned it into action.

Despite her quiet determination, he saw her smarts, and the potential she could not fully understand in herself. He had been keeping an eye on her for months, and no matter what he gave her to do, he was trying to get her ready for something bigger.

Grayson noticed that Daria always carried herself with grace and a slight reserve as they worked together. Although she was not far away, he could not quite figure out what was blocking his view of her. Though she was nice and respectful, she was never too open.

Grayson rarely let his feelings get in the way of his judgment. Daria always seemed mysterious to him, and he was interested to unveil the secrets behind her enigmatic smile.

Just why do I feel this way about her?

He often wondered.

There was no way he had planned for that to happen, especially in a professional setting where limits were important. Still, he couldn’t get rid of the quiet feeling of respect for Daria.

His Side

By the time he was 31, Grayson was a seasoned politician. Working hard and making smart choices for years had won him the job of CEO at a company that was growing quickly. He learned early that emotions and personal feelings had no place in professional settings because he grew up in a home where duty and responsibility were given utmost importance.

An extremely strict and orderly man, his father had told him how important it is to be ambitious and successful.

Eventually, Grayson realized that being a leader meant more than just telling people what to do. It meant helping them grow and reach their full potential.

His first impression of Daria was that she was very quiet and shy. When she did talk, her words were very carefully chosen and intentional. Grayson noticed right away that she seemed quite confident. She was not rude or outgoing, yet she also did not avoid being in the spotlight.

Although he admired how skilled she was, there was something deeper and more subtle that kept him watching her. Daria seemed to have a kind of untapped force that only he could see. Others did not realize it, but Grayson did, and he was determined to make it public.

She had determination and dedication as an employee, but she also had the potential to move up in the company if she had the confidence to do so. Therefore, he pushed her. She did not believe she could give him what he asked for.

She was given jobs that she clearly could not do on purpose. He was hoping she would surprise him and step up to the task. He really wanted her to see herself the way he did, as someone who was more than just capable. One who possessed a unique kind of quiet strength and could guide others if she chose to.

Yet, Grayson was aware of a deeper current running through their exchanges, despite everything else.

As their eyes met, the air between them seemed to pulse with silent understanding, giving him a feeling he could not quite put his finger on.

Though he respected her, there was something else going on. Something about them that made him wonder if they were more than their jobs. He avoided thinking about it because it made him feel uneasy. Instead, he focused on his work and his goal to help Daria grow. But every time he talked to her or stopped to talk quietly, he felt a pull, a very strong connection he could not ignore.

Her Side

Daria tended to concentrate on her work. Not many people in her family were successful or started their own businesses. Her parents were immigrants who made a good life for themselves. They put hard work above all else and never had the chance to feel the luxury of desire beyond survival. Daria highly valued them, but she always felt like there was something more she could have.

She was unsure of herself when she first started working for the company. Despite, she was confident in her skills, she had never felt at home in the world of business leadership. She started to see herself differently when Grayson gave her more difficult jobs. Initially, she was scared of him because of his confidence and ability to handle any situation; however, as time went on, she started to comprehend his strategies. She had never experienced tough love like he did, but she respected it.

She admired his focus, his commitment, and his ability to lead others without forcing anything on them. Nonetheless, he always seemed professional, she could never get rid of the feeling that he was hiding something deeper about himself.

While he was giving her work to do or pushing her to do more than she thought she could handle, Daria felt an unspoken trust building between them. She could tell he believed in her more than she did.

But she never got the chance to share it. Too much respect for him. She reported to him and was working his supervision. Who knows, maybe he did not feel the same way. But what if her growing love and respect for him were just a mirror of how he had treated her? It could be business admiration only.

Every moment they spent together, no matter how short or long, felt heavy with a shared understanding as they worked. They pushed each other to do better by looking at each other in meetings and by checking in after a big talk and giving each other specific feedback.

The reason she wanted more of his attention and praise eluded her. In addition to being her boss, he seemed to see her in a way that no one else had. And she kept thinking about the question she could never say out loud: Did he feel the same way that she did?

An Uncommunicated Connection

It was very quiet between them, and neither of them knew how to talk to the other. Grayson liked Daria professionally, but he didn’t know how to show her more personal admiration.

In the meantime, Daria hid her feelings because she didn’t know where to put them or even if she should feel anything other than respect.

Yet, there was a quiet space between them where admiration and respect grew.

It was not spoken, but it was clear. Both were confused and attracted to each other in ways they could not explain. They were also afraid to upset the delicate balance they had created.

How likely was it that they would jump?

If they did not say anything, would they keep dancing around the words they were holding close, wondering what might happen if they really did speak?