The next morning, the office felt unusually alive. Phones rang nonstop, printers hummed, and voices tangled in a chaotic rhythm that made it hard to think straight. I barely had time to breathe before Tia tossed a stack of files into my hands, muttering something about urgent submissions.
"Everyone's swamped. You'll have to take these yourself," she said without looking up from her screen.
I adjusted the folders in my arms, sighed, and made my way to the elevator. My head was still a storm but i'd forced it all down, layer by layer, convincing myself I could handle it.
The elevator doors slid open with a soft ding. Inside stood a woman tall, with honey-brown skin and soft curls that framed her face. She looked elegant yet unbothered, scrolling through her phone.
"Hey, you are the famous drama queen" she said, glancing at me with a small, knowing smile. "You look like you could use ten hours of sleep."
I let out a small laugh. "Only ten?"
That earned a soft chuckle from her. I knew she was talking about the rumour but she meant it as a joke
"Beatrice," she introduced, tucking her phone away and holding out her hand.
"Sharon," I replied, shaking it.
Something about her felt easy. Maybe it was the humor in her eyes or the way she didn't look like she was competing with the world. We started talking about the workload, the coffee that tasted like burnt paper, and how the elevators in this building always made people either awkward or overfriendly.
"Next time we meet in here, I'll bring actual coffee," she joked.
"Then I'll bring cookies, elevators should be snack zones," I replied.
We both laughed again, the sound echoing lightly off the walls. It felt good and genuine.
When the elevator stopped, we both stepped out, only to realize we were headed to the same floor.
"No way," Beatrice said, eyes widening. "You're delivering to Collins' department?"
"Unfortunately, yes," I sighed.
She grinned. "That's my department. Come on, I'll show you where his office is before he eats you alive with deadlines."
We walked side by side through the open office space, chatting like old friends. When we got to her desk, she waved toward the corner office. "That's him. The man who thinks Excel sheets are art."
I snorted. "Noted. I'll tread carefully."
She winked before settling at her desk, already drowning in paperwork. I took a breath and knocked on Mr. Collin's door.
"Come in," his deep voice called out.
The man behind the desk looked older, polished, the type who believed his tie could solve world problems. I handed him the file, keeping my tone polite but brief.
He flipped through the papers, then looked up at me his gaze lingering a little too long.
"You're from AEC's department, aren't you?"
"Yes, sir."
He smiled faintly. "You carry yourself well. Sharp eyes and You should consider transferring here we could use that kind of… dedication."
I forced a smile. "Thank you, sir."
Before I could leave, he added, "We're having a team dinner tonight. You should join us get to know more faces around here."
"Oh, no, I..."
"That's not a request," he interrupted smoothly. "I expect to see you there."
And that was that.
Back at my desk, I texted Maxie under the table:
Me: "Trapped. My manager's manager just invited me to a dinner that isn't even my team's 😭"
Maxie: "Go. Eat their food. Drink their wine. Maybe flirt a little."
Me: "You're no help 😩"
Maxie: "I'm moral support. Now go live a little."
I rolled my eyes, half smiling despite myself.
As I left the department, I spotted Beatrice by the printer and immediately the thought struck me. "Hey, you're going to that dinner, right?"
"Sadly, yes," she said with a grimace. "Free food is the only thing keeping me sane."
"Well, looks like I won't be the awkward new face alone."
She grinned. "Then we'll survive it together."
That eased something tight in my chest. Maybe the night wouldn't be so bad after all.
By evening, the restaurant buzzed with soft jazz and clinking glasses. The team dinner was held in a private section, a long table filled with plates, bottles, and the smell of grilled steak and expensive wine.
Beatrice waved me over. "You made it!"
"Barely," I said, sliding into the seat beside her.
The laughter was loud, the conversation louder. Mr. Collin sat across the table, occasionally glancing my way, smiling that polished, unreadable smile. I ignored it, focusing on Beatrice's stories and the ridiculous office gossip floating around.
Hours passed. The food was good, and the drinks stronger than expected, they had work the next day and they drank this much.
At some point, Beatrice leaned close. "We should sneak out before he remembers we exist."
I grinned, happy that at least I wasn't the only one not getting the vibe. "Lead the way."
We almost made it, well almost until Mr. Collin's voice stopped us.
"Sharon. Come sit here," he said, gesturing to the empty seat beside him.
I froze. Beatrice's eyes flickered with concern, but I managed a small shrug. "It's fine. I'll be quick."
The conversation dragged on for hours, and though he smiled and joked, his gaze was different now, looked heavier, and sharper but no suspicion
By the time most people had left, it was just the three of us.
Beatrice whispered, "We should go, it's late."
But Collin shook his head. "Beatrice, you can head home. Sharon will help me book a driver. I had a bit too much to drink." I opened my eyes wildly when I heard that, I wasn't even on the team
"I'd rather stay till she's done," Beatrice said firmly. At that moment I felt like kissing Beatrice, I could only imagine how awkward it would feel to be left alone with a manager
He laughed lightly. "Beatrice, go. I'll be fine."
Beatrice hesitated, then sighed. "I'll be right back, bathroom," she said quietly, giving me a look that said don't move.
As soon as she disappeared down the hall, Collin stood and stepped closer. His hand brushed my shoulder lightly at first too lightly to care too much
"Sir, I can call you a driver," I said, stepping back.
"You're beautiful, Sharon," he murmured, the alcohol in his breath choking me.
"Mr. Collin..." I felt disgusted but most of all scared
He caught my arm, pulling me closer, his voice turning darker. "Don't act shy. You've been smiling at me all evening."
"Let me go."
He didn't. His grip tightened, his other hand trailing where it shouldn't, trying to grab me, hand going under my shirt towards my breast. Panic flared in my chest. I shoved at him, but he was stronger then the sound of fabric tearing filled the room,it was my blouse ripping near the shoulder.
"Stop!" I shouted, twisting under his weight as he pushed me back onto the couch.
And then, suddenly I thought I'd lost
"Get off her!"
Beatrice's voice tore through the room. She grabbed a nearby bottle and struck it against the table. The sound startled him enough for me to break free and at that opportunity we ran and didn't even look back.
Outside, the night air was cold and sharp against my skin, I was still shaking from fear and shock
Beatrice's voice trembled. "You're staying with me. I'm not letting you go home alone."
I wanted to argue, but I couldn't. My hands were shaking too hard. I texted Maxie quickly:
Me: "Something happened. I'll explain tomorrow. Staying at a friend's."
The next morning felt unreal, I'd quickly left Beatrice house to Maxie's so I could prepare for work. I stood in Maxie's bathroom, brushing my hair and avoiding the mirror. My eyes were swollen, my lip still sore from where he'd grabbed me.
"You're sure you want to go to work?" Maxie asked, arms folded.
"I need to. If I hide, they win."
She sighed. "Fine. But at least eat something."
I didn't have the appetite I just left for work regardless
When I arrived at the office, whispers met me before good mornings did. Heads turned and eyes darted away. Something was wrong again, did they bring back the issue with Aec?
Tia approached cautiously when I got near the office. "Don't freak out… but there's a video going around."
My stomach dropped. "What kind of video?"
She hesitated, then showed me her phone.
The screen played a blurry clip, me and Mr. Collin at the dinner, his hand on my arm. From the angle, it looked… mutual and flirty. His face was blurred, but his ID tag flashed in the frame, the company logo unmistakable.
"Oh God," I whispered.
Beatrice rushed in moments later, breathless. "Sharon, don't listen to them someone edited it. You were struggling; I saw it."
I nodded weakly, but the damage was already done.
Angel's mocking voice carried across the room. "Guess sleeping your way up doesn't end well, huh?"
Her harsh laughter followed.
I clenched my jaw, grabbed the nearest file from Tia's desk, and said, "I'll deliver this. I need some air."
Beatrice joined me instantly. "I'm coming with you."
We stepped into the elevator together. A few employees were already inside and I knew I couldn't avoid it
The moment the doors closed, whispers began.
"…got hired for more than her degree, if you ask me."
"…heard she got caught on video."
Beatrice snapped, "You all need to shut your mouths if you don't know the truth."
I tried to smile and tell her not to bother but deep down i appreciated the gesture and even I wanted to react that way
The elevator pinged and the doors slid open. I wanted all of them out but I guess a few more people were adding now
But standing there, right in front of us, was Aec.
Cold and sharp. His presence sucked the air out of the room.
Everyone went dead silent immediately...
"Get out," he said, voice low but deadly.
Everyone scattered instantly like a god just spoke to them
I started to move too, but his hand caught my wrist.
"Except you."
His grip was firm, his eyes unreadable. Giving a cold, possessive aura and for the first time that morning, my composure nearly cracked.