TURNING 30

r her to run, but her legs felt like concrete. She held the wall for balance as the figure s

her stalker, smirked. "I'm Mr. Sam, by the way. I know you're surprised, but I wan

herself? Or maybe call the police right away? Her thoughts raced as she finally chose the latter. Her legs moved slowly but surely, prope

e, her voice rising in panic. "He kissed me! I don't even kn

s happening?" Danie

apped, cutting the call and di

e incident. After filing her complaint, she learned horrific details: Mr. Sam had jus

fired for harassing Nicholas's sister. The pieces clicked together, but the confusion only d

until she finally spotted Mr. Nicholas, her boss, dressed impeccably in a navy-blue suit adorned wi

led, snapping her

epped into her office-his first visit since she took the po

honor?" she asked softl

that made her cheeks flush. Maybe there was something more between them? But

's interested?" she cha

Nicholas held up a photo, hi

face-Mr. Sam. She tried to mask her disc

him," she answered, fear

you sure?" Ni

managed to reply, her heart r

ls through her: "He's probably roaming aroun

?" Victoria asked,

Maurice. You can search him up and see wh

elt a mix of confusion and urgency. Moments

the three-day business trip to Paris, it co

eld back the urge to scream and rushed to inform he

ic. Everyone wanted to go, the room overflowing with hopeful

th work," Alice suggested, her bright brown eyes sparkling w

't experienced before. They hadn't talked business; this felt different,

r the drawing. Victoria stood on the sta

dividuals interested put their names in a plastic box, Victoria shakes the

e last name, anticipatio

ctoria announced, and th

ped outside, lost in her thoughts. Suddenly, a familiar ca

ou off. Get

her to climb into the car, the air tang

d as they drove. "I'll get you one.

rled. "You d

" he replied, stealing a glance at her, the weig

she asked, her

," he answered, and a small

ia's sense of calm abruptly shattered as

ked, stepping out of the car. But Daniel

as her boss and her friend glared at each ot

er?" she asked, nervousne

sponse, Nicholas launched at him, fi

gasped as the reality of the

chaos. She stood frozen, torn between the man she had begun to admire and