The silence in Aec's office felt heavier than the one in that elevator days ago. It wra
Aec stood by his desk, sharp suit and sharper eyes fixed on me. His presence alone could command a room; even the shadows seemed to bend around him. But right now, those eyes that once felt magnetic burned with something else, frustration.
"Talk to me, Sharon," he said, his voice deep and steady, but I could hear the storm beneath. "I'm not asking twice."
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to hold his gaze. My throat felt dry. "There's nothing to talk about, sire."
He moved closer, one step, then another. Each click of his shoes against the polished floor echoed in my skull. "Don't play smart with me."
"I'm not."
"You think I can't see it? Something's wrong. You're hiding something."
His tone dropped an octave, almost a growl. I felt it vibrate through me, and I hated that it affected me that way that my pulse quickened, that I could feel his energy pulling at me even when I wanted to run from it.
I exhaled slowly. "Even if there was, what good would it do for you to know? Some things… are better left unspoken."
He slammed a hand on the desk not at me, but close enough to make me flinch. "You don't get to decide that."
For a moment, I saw the flicker in his eyes, concern disguised as anger. But I wasn't ready to peel that layer off him. Not today.
I forced a calm smile. "Sire, I only came here because you asked me to and I'll use the opportunity to say one thing don't interfere. Whatever rumor is going around, please don't do anything about it."
His jaw tightened. "What?"
"I mean it. If you try to fix it, it'll only make me look like I'm getting favors from the CEO. And that'll make things worse for me. Let it die on its own."
He stepped closer again, his eyes softening just slightly. "You think I'll..."
"Yes," I cut in firmly. "Please. Let it be." I didn't want to even hear it
The silence stretched, thick and suffocating again. I could tell he didn't like being told what to do especially by me. But this wasn't about pride, it was pure survival.
Finally, he exhaled and turned away. I took that as my cue to leave.
"Thank you, sir," I said quietly, and walked out before he could change his mind.
When I got back to my department, the air felt different, colder and watchful, I almost forgot I left some pit bull dogs here. Tia waved me over the moment I entered.
"Mr. Collin was asking of you," she whispered.
My stomach tightened. "Did he say why?"
Tia shook her head, her eyes full of sympathy. "No, but you should probably go. You know how he gets when people keep him waiting." If only she knew she'd advise me to stay back
I tried to find an excuse, any excuse, maybe I could say I had pending tasks or a meeting but nothing came. There was no way out.
My legs felt heavy as I made my way down the hall to Collin's office. The stares followed me whispers rising and falling like waves. Everyone who'd been at that dinner looked up when I got there. I could see it in their eyes, the recognition and judgment.
They knew.
The video had been shared more times than anyone wanted to admit. They knew the manager in that video, their manager. And now they were looking at me like I was the scandal itself.
My palms grew damp. I looked around for a familiar face, hoping to see Beatrice. She'd always had that calm, quiet way of making me feel like the world wasn't collapsing. But her desk was empty.
I took a deep breath and stepped into Collin's office.
He was already standing by the door, and before I could say a word, he closed it then locked it.
The sharp click made my heart stutter but I had to stay strong
He turned to face me, and for a moment, I saw something dangerous flicker behind his polite smile. "You know," he said softly, "rumors have a way of spreading faster than truth."
I didn't answer.
He walked closer, too close. "If you ever mention my name, if you even hint that it was me in that video, you'll regret it. Deeply." His tone sharpened, his words slicing through the air. "You love your job, don't you, Sharon? You love your life?"
I stood there, still, letting his threats bounce off me like dull knives. I was too tired to flinch anymore.
When he finished, I tilted my head, gave him the smallest, emptiest smile I could manage. "Are you done sire?"
His brows furrowed.
"Very well." I turned and left without another word.
The hallway felt longer on the way back, every step echoing like I was walking through a tunnel of shame.
I didn't cry. I refused to. I'd done enough of that already in the past. Instead, I lifted my chin and kept walking.
What was the point of breaking when there was no one to help pick up the pieces?
I just had to keep moving.
But then I saw Beatrice standing at the far end of the corridor, and for a moment, relief washed through me. I almost called her name, ready to unload everything that had happened.
Until I noticed she wasn't alone.
She was talking to someone and it was Diana.
My steps slowed. My brows furrowed, trying to place things.
Why was the CEO's wife talking to Beatrice?
From where I stood, I couldn't hear a word, but their body language said enough. It wasn't the stiff, professional exchange of a boss and employee. It felt… familiar. Too familiar.
Beatrice showed her something on her phone. Diana leaned in, nodded, and then handed her a white envelope.
My stomach knotted but what was I thinking...
When Diana turned to leave, I instinctively hid behind the corner, peeking just enough to watch her heels click away down the hall.
Beatrice spotted me seconds later. Her eyes lit up. "Sharon!" she called, waving.
I forced a smile and met her halfway.
"That was our boss's wife, right?" I asked, feigning casual curiosity.
She nodded, still smiling. "Yeah. You saw that?"
"Mm." I tilted my head. "You two talking about work?"
She hesitated just a fraction before replying, "Yes."
I smiled faintly, not buying it. "Funny, though… the atmosphere felt a little too friendly for just work."
Beatrice squinted playfully. "Well, beyond work, I know Diana a little. From years back. But she's way above my level now, so let's skip that." She brushed it off with a grin. "Coffee?"
"Oh, yes, please. I've been doing coffee deliveries all morning and haven't had one for myself."
We headed out to a café a little away from the company, just far enough to breathe freely. For a while, we talked about random things silly jokes, coworkers. It felt good to laugh again.
Then my phone beeped.
I glanced at it and it was a ridiculous message from Aec.
The color drained from my face before I could even react.
Beatrice leaned in, frowning. "Sharon, are you okay?"
"Ohh, I am," I lied, forcing a laugh. "Just… something trivial. Not out of the ordinary."
She smiled. "I'm so happy it's the weekend."
"Yeah," I murmured, pocketing the phone as we started walking back toward the company. My heart, though, wouldn't stop racing.
---
After work, I rushed to Maxie's house.
Not out of fear this time but something else. Excitement... Confusion. Maybe both.
When the door opened, I almost ran into Marcus
"Ohhh!" I gasped, stumbling back.
He stood there half-dressed, wearing only a short pair of nika that clung to his body in a way that made me roll my eyes instantly.
"Damn it, Marcus, you have clothes!" I muttered, brushing past him into the house.
He let out a low scoff. "Isn't Maxie home? She told me she was close."
"She's not back yet," I replied, watching him pull on a longer pair of pants.
The air between us felt awkward. We hadn't spoken properly since that night, the one I tried so hard not to remember.
"How are you doing, Shar?" he asked quietly.
I smiled, tight-lipped.
"I don't want us..."
He started, but I cut him off before he could finish. "Uh uh uh, Marcus. Whatever you want to say, I promise you it's unnecessary."
He looked at me like he wanted to argue, his expression saying just let me talk, but I didn't want to hear it.
"Let's stop going back and forth because of a wrong fling we had," I said sharply.
Something in his eyes shifted hurt, maybe but I didn't care. Not now.
Just then, the door opened again, and Maxie's voice filled the space.
"What are you doing half-naked with my bestie around, Marcus?" she teased, shooting her brother a mock glare.
I didn't give her a chance to start. "Maxieeee! Where did you go, bitch!" I rushed toward her, practically tackling her in a hug.
She laughed, caught off guard. "Careful, girl, I just got in!"
"I'm getting fucked this weekend, bro!" I blurted, half laughing and half trembling with excitement, dragging Maxie straight to her room while Marcus stood there blinking in confusion.
"Shut up…" Maxie laughed, following me inside.
---
Once the door closed, she started pacing... "Can you sit? I should be the nervous one right now."
I laughed, breathless.
"I'm not nervous, girl. Spill!" she ordered.
I showed her the message I got earlier the one that turned my blood to electricity.
Her eyes widened. "No way. He wants you for the weekend?"
I bit my lip, nodding shyly.
"No way you are making yourself available for that son of a bitch, babes!" she said, half-serious, half-irritated.
I giggled, a mix of nerves and excitement. "I thought you'd be more excited than angry."
She crossed her arms, giving me that sisterly glare. "I'm not angry, Shar. I'm concerned about you. He's my boss's husband and your ex-boss. What'll you do if another rumor comes up?"
"Maxie, at least trust me. You know I wouldn't do something reckless." I smiled softly. "And by the way, I've been abstaining. I have a valid reason to want to give it away now."
Maxie burst into a mocking laugh. "You truffling! What do you mean give it away now like you still some V girl?"
I groaned, covering my face. "Well, the thing is… Maxie, nothing happened between us that night."
Her eyes flew open. "You must be joking, right?"
"No, I'm serious. I got it wrong. He said we did some things but not… that."
She stared like she was trying to read my soul. "For a second there, I thought you were lying. But why do you believe him?"
"What does he gain if he lies to me?" I asked softly.
She frowned, thinking. "Nothing, though… but let me ask these questions 'cause I still don't get it."
I nodded meekly.
"Did you feel sore the next morning?"
"No."
"Blood on the sheet? Maybe?"
"No."
"Were you fully dressed by morning?"
"Yes."
She muttered something under her breath. "Wet when you woke up?" she asked more seriously
"Kinda, but nothing serious."
She blinked, then threw her hands up. "Then why the fuck did you think you was fucked!"
I buried my head in shame as she paced, half-laughing, half-scolding.
Then suddenly she wrapped her arms around me, shaking me playfully. "So you finally off the V market tomorrow! We need to get you smelling like rose down there, bitch!"
Then she froze mid-laugh, making a serious expression again
"What is it now, Max?" I asked, raising a brow.
She turned to me slowly. "But why all of a sudden? That damn contract still on?"
I squeezed my face, groaning. "I asked for a renewal."
She rolled her eyes dramatically. "Girlll, I give up on you. But you know what? If you want it, then you get it. Let's get waxed."
We both burst into laughter.
And for the first time that week, the noise inside my head, the rumors, the fear, the loneliness finally quieted.
At least for a moment.