After closing from work, I was ready to head home. My body ached from exhaustion and the first day at this new office had been nothing short of chaos. Everything felt different, and without Maxie around, it was even worse. I didn't realize how much I'd gotten used to her noise and energy until the silence hit me like a weight.
Angel and David's subtle glances didn't help either, something about them felt unusual ,even when I tried not to care, I could feel their judgment lingering in the air.
I had barely walked a few meters from the office when a sleek black car slowed down beside me on the sidewalk, my heart did a little jump that instinctive kind of warning you can't explain and to worsen things I didn't recognize the car at first so I just tried to ignore it until when the tinted window rolled down, and I saw him.
Of course... It was Aec. My ever sweet boss.
I almost rolled my eyes right there, pretending not to notice, I picked up my pace, the last thing I wanted at the moment was another encounter with him. I knew he was a man who didn't hear the word no very cold, entitled, and irritatingly persistent, the type who was used to getting what he wanted because money made the world bow to him but I wanted him to try and understand and just leave right now.
He kept following me, the hum of the engine matching my steps. I prayed he'd stop, and after a while, I thought he did, I even felt relief washing over me, but it was short-lived.
The street had thinned out; fewer people, and dimmer lights, I told myself I preferred it this way maybe being alone was better than being seen talking to Aec.
But Aec will always be Aec, I felt a firm, unrelenting grip on my hand.
My breath hitched, and I spun around.
Exactly who I expected.
"Can I help you, sire?" I asked, my voice dripping with sarcasm. I tried to sound composed, even playful, though my heart was racing.
He didn't smile, he just looked down at me with that same cold, superior stare. "Get in the car. Now."
I blinked at him, almost laughing. "What's the matter? Couldn't find anyone else to bother tonight, or are you just that lonely?"
I've tried to always sound professional around him but somehow I could not always keep my cool.
His expression didn't change, but his grip tightened painfully. I winced, trying to pull my hand free but he wouldn't let go not even concerned if I felt the pain from his grip, the pressure in his fingers was firm enough to bruise, and when he tugged slightly, I almost stumbled forward.
"Let go, Aec," I said, struggling. "You're my boss, not my bodyguard."
Well he didn't move, the sharpness in his eyes made me want to slap him and for a second, I nearly did. My hand was already raised, trembling in the air between us but I stopped myself... He was my boss. I couldn't lose my job over this arrogant man.
Something flickered in his expression surprise, maybe cause he never expected that reaction, even i didn't expect it and his grip loosened slightly. Then, mercifully, my phone rang.... I almost screamed out of joy especially when I found out it was Zion calling
I answered immediately, forcing a light, romantic tone. "Hey, baby."
His voice came through bright and warm, a complete contrast to the man in front of me.
"I'm around your office with Maxie. Thought I'd come pick you up if you're done."
I exhaled slowly, relief flooding through me. "Perfect timing. I was just leaving." Then, after a beat, I added, "Of course, Zion, you can spend the night at mine."
I said it loudly enough for Aec to hear, enjoying the way his jaw tightened slightly. For once, I felt in control.
Pulling my hand free, I turned and walked off, refusing to look back.
By the time I spotted Maxie and Zion near the corner, my pulse was finally steadying. I didn't want any scene, so I said nothing about what had just happened. Maxie rushed toward me, her voice bubbly as always.
"Babes! Did you miss me too much?"
I smiled tiredly and nodded, letting her link arms with me. Then I looked up at Zion. "Hey, Z."
He grinned. "Z...? Okay, dinner's on me tonight."
"Aww, always a darling," I laughed, slipping into the car with Maxie. She chattered the whole ride home, filling me in on everything happening at the office, things I barely paid attention to cause my mind was still spinning from the run-in with Aec.
Zion dropped us off, but Maxie didn't stay the night. She had something to handle, or so she said... I didn't mind, I needed quiet to think.
The next few days passed uneventfully at least on the surface. Work was routine, though the stares and whispers didn't go unnoticed. Angel and David were colder than ever, I always tried to shrug it off, but a small pit of unease had already formed in my stomach.
By the fourth day, that feeling had grown heavy like a warning, even from home, maybe it was because Zion had told me he wouldn't be able to pick me up that evening. Maybe it was just my nerves. Either way, I pushed through, pretending everything was fine.
At lunch, I decided to skip eating. "Tia, Gabriel... grab me something light on your way back please," I said, smiling faintly.
They nodded and left, I didn't have much work but I wanted to escape whatever my instincts was passing to me...
When Angel came back first, I greeted her as usual. "Hey, welcome back."
But she didn't answer
No glance, no response. Just silence.
David followed shortly after, and the same thing happened. They both acted like I didn't exist.
I frowned, brushing it off until Tia and Gabriel returned. "How was lunch, people?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood.
Tia smiled, barely while Gabriel looked like he pitied me. That made my chest tighten.
"Sharon, are you alright?" Tia asked softly, stepping closer.
I let out a short, uneasy laugh. "Of course I am. Shouldn't I be?" I asked nervously
She hesitated but Angel cut her short, "You don't ask the side chick if she's fine. I feel more pity for the wife."
My blood ran cold.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, looking from one face to another.
Then Angel snorted. "The slut is asking questions now."
I froze, staring at her. "What did you just say?"
David chuckled from his seat, eyes glued to his phone. "Oh my God. I've watched this video like five times already."
"Video?" My voice came out shaky.
Gabriel stepped between us before things could escalate. "Check the office platform, Sharon." he tried to sound calm
With trembling hands, I pulled out my phone. The app was open before I even realized what I was doing. And there it was.
A video posted at 2:30.
The first clip, i was being shoved out of Aec's house, the second was me walking into that dark corner while his car trailed after me.
The captions twisted the whole story, painting me like a homewrecker, like some desperate woman sleeping her way up.
I felt my knees weaken. Angel's voice blurred into the background, venomous and smug, my phone buzzed over and over with Maxie's calls, messages, notifications, everything at once. I couldn't bear to look.
"I understand that you're angry," I said finally, my voice trembling. "But please, you all have to let me explain" I couldn't probably tell them what the real situation was but then I was not a slit either
Tia placed a gentle hand on my back. "Sharon, maybe just calm down first.."
But Angel wasn't having it. She stepped closer, her eyes full of mock sympathy. "Sorry, we don't take explanations from homewreckers."
That word snapped something inside me.
I grabbed her by the back of her shirt, dragging her around to face me. "What did you just say?"
Her eyes widened then, suddenly, hot liquid splashed across my chest. The coffee in her hand.
I stood frozen, the heat biting into my skin. Then I slapped her hard, I wouldn't take disrespect from anyone not anymore...
The sound echoed and before she could react, David grabbed her, pulling her back, and Tia threw her arms around me, whispering, "Sharon, don't give her what she wants. Please."
Gabriel just sat back watching like he was enjoying the whole scene...
The air in the room felt thick, almost suffocating.
Then someone burst in. "The boss wants to see Sharon."
Angel sneered. "Of course. Go answer your slut call."
I turned away before I did something worse. My anger was shaking through me, not just at Angel but at Aec. Why did he keep making my life harder?
I stormed into his office without knocking and I noticed how he looked up from his files, calm and cold, like nothing was wrong, like he was expecting me to come in that way but his expression changed a bit when he saw the stain on me.
"Even in this situation, I heard you needed me, sire," I said, every word edged with fury.
He just watched me.
When I stopped in front of his desk, he leaned back slightly, eyes dropping to my shirt, soaked, stained, and sticking to my chest.
"I've told you before," he said coolly, "you should always wear a bra, especially when I'm not around."
I stared at him in disbelief. "Is that seriously all you have to say?"
His gaze hardened. "No. Who did this to your shirt?"
I laughed bitterly, running a hand through my hair. "You really care now?" I hissed, turning to leave.
Before I could reach the door, his hand shot out, grabbing mine firm but not rough this time. "Take one of my jackets," he said quietly. "I don't want you walking around like that."
He gestured vaguely toward my chest, pointing at my nipple, embarrassment mixed with anger.
I stepped closer, close enough to feel his breath. My heart was racing again, though not from fear this time. "You must be joking," I whispered.
I tried to pull away and that's when the door swung open.
Diana stood there.
Her eyes darted from me to Aec, taking in the scene but now his hand stayed on my waist, my shirt clinging to my skin... the proximity.
"Aec," she said sharply, her voice laced with accusation.
I froze even when I knew I was not doing anything bad... I was still trying to pull back but Aec didn't allow me too, he fixed his gaze so sternly on me like there was nobody else in the office
He frowned, still looking at me. "What did you say, Sharon?"
But I couldn't answer. I could feel Diana's stare burning into my back and from the brief contact with her expression I noticed pure jealousy
For a moment, the room was silent, thick, suffocating silence.
And in that moment, one thought echoed in my head...
Does he even care about this woman? Or is this just another game to him?