CHAPTER SEVEN — SUSPICION
The morning sunlight streamed through the office windows, casting long rectangles of warmth across her desk.
She shuffled through files, trying to focus on work, but her mind kept replaying yesterday's events, the near ass, the street, and the boss's eyes that seemed to follow her every move.
Even now, she could feel that magnetic pull, that subtle tension in the air whenever he passed by. Stay calm, she told herself. Just do your job.
By late morning, the office had quieted down. Most of the staff were away on client visits or lunch, leaving her alone at her cubicle. She took a deep breath and reached for her phone.
It was time to check in on "her family" the siblings and household she now had to protect in this new life.
She found a quiet corner, lowering her voice as she dialed. "Hey… It's me. It's okay."
From the other end came the familiar anxious voice of her younger sister. "Brother! Are you okay? Did the boss see you leave the desk?"
She smiled faintly. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me. Just finish your homework and stay inside. The landlord might come by today."
"Yes… okay…" The line clicked dead, and she tucked the phone away.
She exhaled, trying to calm her racing heart. That had been close. She had to make sure no one, especially her boss, heard her speaking to them.
Footsteps echoed behind her. She turned sharply, but it was only Mr. Xu, the friendly accounting guy from before.
"You're still here?" he asked. "Don't work too hard, Lin. You'll wear yourself out."
"Thanks," she said, forcing a smile. "I'm almost done."
He nodded and walked away, leaving her alone once more.
But the moment Mr. Xu disappeared, the sound of slow, deliberate footsteps reached her ears.
No… no, it can't be.
Before she could react, the CEO appeared at the edge of her cubicle, his arms crossed, a faint frown on his face.
"Lin," he said softly, voice low enough that she almost thought he hadn't been there, "what were you just doing?"
Her stomach flipped. "I… uh… checking emails, sir?"
He didn't respond immediately. Instead, he leaned slightly closer, eyes narrowing as they swept over her posture, the way her fingers had gripped the phone.
"You were on the phone," he said quietly. "Not for work, I take it?"
Her heart pounded. She knew she had to lie convincingly. "Just… checking in on a friend. Nothing important."
He studied her for a long, tense moment. "Mhm."
She nodded quickly, hoping her trembling hands didn't betray her.
The silence stretched unbearably. He took a slow step back, then spoke again. "Good. But Lin… if there's anything you're hiding, I'll find out sooner or later."
Find out? The words slammed into her chest. Her palms went clammy. He was noticing something maybe not the full truth, but enough to set off alarms in her brain.
"I… understand," she said, forcing calm into her voice.
He gave her a faint, almost imperceptible nod and walked away, leaving her to sit frozen in her chair.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Every sound, every movement, every glance at the corner of her cubicle seemed magnified. She kept imagining him lurking around corners, waiting for her to make a mistake.
By late afternoon, she realized she had barely touched her tasks. The panic in her chest only grew as she imagined the consequences if he decided to confront her directly.
And yet… she couldn't stop thinking about how he had appeared so quietly, so confidently. The way he watched, the way he seemed to know more than he let on… it was terrifying and thrilling at the same time.
That evening, the office emptied quickly. She packed her bag carefully, making sure nothing was left out of place. Her thoughts kept returning to the conversation with her "family" earlier.
She knew she couldn't risk talking to them in the office again, not if he was paying attention. And she had to find a way to keep up her disguise while managing her responsibilities back home.
It was exhausting, but she reminded herself: this was survival.
She left the office, careful to avoid looking too flustered, and walked briskly toward the elevator.
The next day, however, things took a turn she hadn't expected.
As she sat at her desk, reviewing a stack of documents, the CEO appeared at the edge of her cubicle again.
"You need to see me," he said simply.
Her stomach lurched. Not here. Not now.
He gestured toward the conference room. "Now."
Her heart raced as she followed him, clutching the folder like a shield. Once inside, he closed the door behind them.
She tried to act calm, but her palms were sweaty and her legs felt like jelly.
"Lin," he said, voice firm but not unkind. "I overheard something yesterday."
She froze. Her mind raced. No… this can't be happening.
"Talking to someone… about your… family," he continued, eyes narrowing slightly. "You're hiding something. Care to explain?"
Her throat went dry. Every instinct screamed at her to run, to come up with a lie, but words wouldn't form.
Finally, she managed, "It's… personal. Just… personal matters."
He didn't press, but his gaze was heavy, filled with unspoken questions.
"Lin," he said finally, softer this time, "I don't like secrets. Not in my office. Not from anyone."
"Yes… Sir," she whispered.
He studied her for a moment longer, then nodded slightly. "Good. Keep your personal matters… private. And your work… impeccable. Understood?"
"Understood," she said quickly, relief washing over her.
But as she walked back to her desk, heart still pounding, she realized something important: he was closer to discovering the truth than ever before.
Every move she made, every word she spoke, would have to be calculated. One slip, one wrong glance, one strange reaction, and her secret could be exposed.
And she couldn't risk losing everything.
That night, as she lay in the cramped apartment, staring at the ceiling, she realized the truth:
He wasn't just a boss.
He was a threat.
And a protector.
And, though she hated to admit it, the thought of him noticing her… made her heart race.