FLAME Chapter 4: Control

Elena spent most of the night lying awake, not from guilt, but from curiosity.

She told herself it was just the shock of a powerful man digging into her life without permission. That it had nothing to do with the way his voice slowed when he said her name. Or the way his eyes peeled her apart without ever touching

By morning, that lie had started to lose its shine.

ELENA HART (FL)

(Wore her sharpest blazer and low-heeled boots. Nothing too flashy, but strong - armor. Professional. Untouchable)

[ Wolfe International ]

ELENA HART (FL)

(Stepped into Wolfe International's 45th floor, the illusion of control shattered again)

Damien Wolfe didn't notice people. He watched them. Like a game of chess already halfway played.

front desk receptionist

(Greeted her at the door, perfectly robotic)

front desk receptionist

(Silently handed her a black Wolfe International ID badge - with a silver stripe across it)

ELENA HART (FL)

What's the silver stripe mean?

ELENA HART (FL)

(Asked, pinning it to her lapel)

front desk receptionist

You're cleared for restricted floors

front desk receptionist

(Replied without blinking) Per Mr. Wolfe's authorization.

ELENA HART (FL)

(Arched an eyebrow) I thought this was an internship, not a spy movie.

front desk receptionist

(Gave her a neutral smile that said you're not ready for the answer to that)

When she entered Damien's office, he was leaning against the window, not seated behind his desk for once. He turned when she stepped inside - not like he'd been waiting for her, but like he already knew she had arrived

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

Coffee?

ELENA HART (FL)

(Blinked) You will make coffee?

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

I have people who make coffee (Said dryly)

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

But I chose it.

ELENA HART (FL)

(Hesitated before taking the porcelain cup. It was warm. Black. Smooth. And far too bitter for her taste)

ELENA HART (FL)

Too strong (Muttered, setting it on the desk)

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

So are you

ELENA HART (FL)

(Looked up sharply)

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

(Smiled - not wide, not soft. The kind of smile that belonged on a man who broke nations in meetings and watched the world flinch)

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

Today...we begin your real training.

ELENA HART (FL)

Wasn't yesterday part of that?

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

Yesterday was a test. You passed

ELENA HART (FL)

I didn't say anything

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

You didn't have to

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

(Walked around the desk and pulled up a second chair beside hers - not across, not towering, but beside)

ELENA HART (FL)

(The change in proximity unsettled her more than she'd admit)

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

Lesson one !

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

Control isn't about speaking. It's about silence.

ELENA HART (FL)

(Tilted her head) You're going to make me sit in silence?

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

No. I'm going to make you notice in silence

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

(Placed a tablet in front of her)

Surveillance footage. Black and white. Grainy, but clear.

ELENA HART (FL)

What am I looking at?

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

Lobby cam. Ten minutes ago

ELENA HART (FL)

(watched)

An intern dropped a folder

A senior executive stepped over it

Two assistants whispered behind their hands.

None of it meant anything. Until Damien's voice cut through the quiet.

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

Rewind. Watch the woman in heels (Almost sounded ordered)

ELENA HART (FL)

(did as he said)

The woman had walked in fast, but stopped just before reaching the reception desk. She touched her necklace, glanced down, then smiled too wide at the man behind the counter.

ELENA HART (FL)

She's nervous

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

Why?

ELENA HART (FL)

She adjusted her necklace. That's often self-soothing. And her smile was delayed

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

(Nodded slowly) What kind of nervous?

ELENA HART (FL)

(Frowned) Performance anxiety. She wants to impress someone.

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

(Eyes sparked) Good. Keep going.

Another video. Then another.

An entire morning passed like that. Reading people. Pausing frames. Dissecting microexpressions. Damien didn't praise, but he didn't interrupt either. He let her think. Let her analyze. Let her lead.

It was the most intoxicating thing she'd ever felt - being watched by a man like that and still being in control of her own mind. Or so she thought.

Because then came the final clip

Herself from yesterday

(Entering his office. Sitting down. And flinching - exactly as he had said)

ELENA HART (FL)

(Stared) You recorded me.

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

That's a violation-

ELENA HART (FL)

You signed a surveillance waiver in your contract. Page six

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

(Jaw clenched)

ELENA HART (FL)

You knew I'd flinch...That's why you brought up Liam?

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

No (said softly)

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

I brought up Liam because I needed to confirm what I already suspected

ELENA HART (FL)

That I'm vulnerable?

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

That you're trying not to be

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

(Turned off the screen and folded his hands)

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

You're in a relationship where you do all the holding, All the work. All the loyalty. And none of the surrender

ELENA HART (FL)

You don't know that (said sharply)

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

I know you haven't mentioned him by name unless I brought him up. I know your phone never buzzes during your time here, even though you've been gone for hours. I know your pupils dilate when you talk about confrontation, but constrict when you talk about comfort.

ELENA HART (FL)

(Stared at him)

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

And I know.....you've been dreaming about me. Not sexually. Not yet. But viscerally. You wake up angry. Curious. A little undone.

ELENA HART (FL)

(Chest rose and fell)

ELENA HART (FL)

I hate you (Whispered)

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

No, you don't....You hate that I see you.

ELENA HART (FL)

(Stood up, but her hands shook)

ELENA HART (FL)

I'm done for today

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

Are you?

ELENA HART (FL)

(Turned away)

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

Come here, Elena (Said, voice like silk on steel)

ELENA HART (FL)

No..

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

Why not?

ELENA HART (FL)

Because when I do, I forget who I am

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

Then you're finally getting close

ELENA HART (FL)

(Turned around) Close to what?

DEMIAN WOLFE [ML]

Yourself

ELENA HART (FL)

(Reflection stared back at her in the chrome doors - composed, cool. But her hands were clenched. Her heartbeat too fast. Her pulse in her ears)

Damien Wolfe was in her blood now.

And he knew it.

************

Back in her apartment, Liam was sprawled on the couch, laughing at some podcast.

Liam Carter

Hey babe. You okay?

ELENA HART (FL)

(Forced a smile) Yeah. Just tired

Liam Carter

(walked over and kissed her forehead)

Liam Carter

Want me to order Thai?

ELENA HART (FL)

sure

Liam Carter

(Picked up his phone)

ELENA HART (FL)

(Turned away and slipped into the bedroom)

And there, on the desk where she had left her bag, was a single black envelope.

No postage

No names Just her

Inside was a note, handwritten on thick Wolfe stationery

> You passed lesson one. Lesson two begins the moment you lie to him. - D

ELENA HART (FL)

(Hand trembled)

ELENA HART (FL)

(Walked back into the living room)

Liam Carter

(Looked up from his phone) Sure you're okay?

ELENA HART (FL)

(Smiled) I'm fine......

She lied!!