Love in Deceit

Y

c. Everyone was in their cubicle, moving with purpose and precision. I had barely been at my new desk for an hour before the weight of the job truly sank in. This wasn't just any se

of me. However, the office...It was a beautiful office - sleek, white walls with minimalist art that hinted at the taste of whoever designed it. A small plant sat in the corner, adding a breath of life to the

his sharp eyes watching my every move. The way he assessed me after giving me t

n he was - direct, ruthless even, but there was something more behind what he let out. Though I wondered what people saw in him and what was

I had a job to do. I wasn't here to long about a man I barely knew. I was here because I

xcept for a few quick bathroom breaks. The pressure was intense, but I couldn't let it derail me. I was h

tall woman, blonde and composed, dressed in a modest gown that clung to her body and screamed authority. She had icy blue eyes,

ed in like she owned the place, her

e to it. It held an edge to it, like she was trying to assess m

aintain composure. "Yes. I'm Ayala. I just star

totally overlooked and ignored my outstretched h

ving me just enough information to get by. "And I'm V

consumed by the job, to picture him in romantic relationships, though Irina had already mentioned it on the day of my interview. I hadn't stopped to think about the p

word resounde

d stroding off. I could still hear the sharp clicking sound of her heels. She had

lf of my reason for being here. Remember Ayala. You have a reason for being here, to wor

s... PERSONAL secretary. His personal life also included his partners, though he didn't seem like a guy that would have many, I still hoped he didn't

iving into several files, scheduling appointments, and reading and answering emails that awaited me. I

ered, my voice

ent me shivers. I could guess who was on t

s Ayala. Who

before I heard, "I need you to prepare a report by the end of the da

and replied, "Of course. I'll ge

, "Good. I'll expect

old, authoritative, and very commanding in a way I couldn'

ldn't think of anything better to say and decided

was something about him that made me overly eager to impress. So this,

ere were lots of projects the company was working on, and I tried to keep up. I had also left everything

clock severally, praying for it to move faster. I won't pretend, I hated being part of the working class, and the earlier e

d my thoughts. I looked up to see the co

r you," she said, her

nd this was a confirmation. Vladimir wants

lowed her down the sleek, white hallways, my mind buzzing with several th

he was - Vladimir - sitting behind his massive desk, his ga

We need to discuss the details of the project for next

odd

nd released it. I had expected worse, way worse, and it wasn't ev

d perceive the woody scent of his perfume. I watched him give details of how he wanted things to go, an

k a deep breath and released it. I had expected

to go.. He was my boss, but he seemed like someone who would make or

't help but wonder: Was there more to him than t