Chapter 41 83 The water still dripped from the ends of my hair as Rick helped me out of the lake , his hand firm on my waist . I didn't say anything . I couldn't . My heart was still hammering in my chest . My clothes clung to my skin and my thoughts were stuck replaying the way his hands had felt on me . We walked in silence , his palm still on my lower back like a silent order not to run . When we reached the tents, I moved toward mine without a word . " Fiona ," he said id from behind me . His fingers wrapped gently around my wrist . I turned . " I think I just need to sleep alone " " You're freezing . You're not staying in that tent alone , not like this . " His voice was calm but firm , leaving no room to argue . I didn't have the energy to fight it . So I let him pull me into his tent . We laid down , close . Not tangled . Not touching . Just breathing the same air , I closed my eyes , but my mind wouldn't rest . What the hell are we now ? I was confused about him still being with Benita and what he did to me before he lost his memory but we clearly had to have something going on at the moment . Isnuggled against him trying not to think about it or the fact that Rick finger fucked me in the damn pool . Morning came with a gray sky and mist clinging to everything . p was already buzzing with movement . Rumors of more rain had apparently sped up the trip's end . The camp Rick stood outside the tent , talking to one of the coordinators . I walked slowly to find Andrew . He was leaning near the supply shed , arms crossed and watching the weather . "Hey ," I said . His face lit up , a smile playing on his lips . " You okay ? " he asked . I nodded . " Just wanted to say goodbye before we head back . " He rubbed the back of his neck . " Wish we had more time . " I smiled , " Yeah . Me too . " He leaned in , lowering his voice . " If you ever want to talk , or get away call me . " " Thanks . For everything . " I said . " Really " He helped me carry my small bag to the waiting car . Rick stood beside one of the SUVs , already watching . I didn't look back . The ride home was quiet When we got back to the company , Rick's father was already waiting . Everyone looked exhausted , but that didn't matter . His father was cold , 10:13 Wed , 27 Aug 6 W Chapter 41 unreadable , as usual . " You'll both go over the partnership documentation and submit your reports before the board meets tomorrow , " he said . " No excuses " Rick nodded . " Understond ." I felt the weight of that settle in my stomach . Thadn't even unpacked yet . BY Hours later , I was at my desk in his office , staring at the screen . The report was open , details about client notes and partner communication lined up in neat rows . I was supposed to finalize the numbers and send them in , I couldn't wait to get it done with so I could finally be with Lena . When we got back to the office , i moved straight to my desk , but something felt … off . I glanced across the room . Benita's cubicle was empty . No bag , no files , not even her usual lipstick - stained coffee mug My fingers paused over the keyboard . Was she gone ? Just like that ? I tried not to think too deeply into it , but it curled under my skin . Did Rick finally cut her off ? Was that what this trip meant ? The e questions spun too fast . I shook them off , telling myself to focus . But when I turned back to my screen , I realized I hadn't saved the last changes . I was so lost in thought , I hadn't even noticed the tab closing , my cursor had moved , but I wasn't present at all . The file was s gone . My stomach dropped . Somewhere between my nerves and the long day , I must have pressed the wrong key . One file disappeared . Completely . " No ," I whispered , heart racing . I checked the backups . I checked everything . Gone . Panic bubbled in my throat . " Rick , " I said , voice shaking . " I think I think I lost the file ." He was across the room in two steps . " What do you mean lost it ? " " It was there and then … it wasn't . I didn't mean to delete it , I was just trying to clean up the tabs and then the spreadsheet just closed , and it didn't save the last changes . " He looked at me , long and hard . " I'll handle it . " " Walt What ? " He turned , already walking toward the board room . Ten minutes later , I stood just outside , overhearing the meeting " There was a technical error , " Rick was saying " I was handling the final merge and something glitched . The report didn't save . I take full 10:13 Wed , 27 Aug DV Chapter 41 responsibility . " My mouth dropped open . Rick's father wasn't pleased . " You knew how important this partnership was , if this delays things , it's on you . " ' ll work overnight if I have to, " " Rick said coolly . " You'll have the document back on your desk before tomorrow . " I stepped back before anyone saw me . Later , in his office , I stared at him . " Why did you do that ? That was my mistake . " He looked up from his laptop . " Because it doesn't matter . We just need to fix it . " " It matters to me . I messed up and you took the fall " He cut me off mid - sentence , his eyes flicking to the time on his wrist . " Pack your things ," he said . I blinked . " What ? Why ? Where are we going ? " He was already turning toward the back of the tent , grabbing his bag . " you'll see . Just hurry " His voice was too firm to question . I grabbed my things quickly . He didn't say much else , just stood at the door waiting , his jaw set . By the time we stepped out into the clearing , the others were busy packing too . Nobody paid attention to us. I could barely keep up with Rick's pace . The car was already parked by the exit of the office . One of the staff handed him the keys , and he got into the driver's seat without a word . I slid into the passenger side , shutting the door gently . I kept glancing at him , but he didn't return the look . His hand gripped the steering wheel like he was holding back from saying something . AD Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!