being struck with cymbals. "It's like there's a circus going on in

ouch she was lying on felt unfamiliar, and as she sat up, she began scanning the living r

she could hear the distinct sound of a sizzling pan coming from t

liar voice called o

han was standing there, dressed casually in a grey t

wiped his hands on a kitchen towel, picked

trying to straighten herself u

placed the plate on the coffee ta

sponse, he turned and wa

ned after the parking lot incident. Flashes of the night came

n a bed, it's because you kept threatening to scream i

gave herself a few light smacks on the forehead. "You f

e said, offering it to her. "It's green tea. Helps

him. She avoided eye contact, embarrassed. "T

gered for

r cheeks burning. "Did I...

er than throwing up in my car, screaming at a stray cat, threatening to

ing her face in her hand,

e your headache worse doing that." He walked back to th

on the table. It looked delicious

lence, she finally asked,

kitchen. "I just happened

Rachael decided not to push. Her he

thes?" she as

called back. "You threw up on

n. "Thank you," she said softly. "

wn on the armchair by the couch. "Don't mention it," he said, with a warm smile

ond, he added, "Although, it'd be nice if you di

awkward chuckle, but it felt good to break the te

ch other. The air between them grew heavier, and Rachael felt her pulse q

ly get going now," she sa

f work to take care of," Ethan r

om. He returned with her clothes. "They're

me, but she politely declined

disaster," After a few minutes, she sat up and grabbed her phone, She called her closes

uffins, Rachael s

r car broke down, you found your CEO having sex in what you thought

up," Rachael said, buryi

ad. "You need to write a book abo

to get fired. My CEO and his girlfriend definitely ha

atted her hand. "Look, Just take it one s

't feel reassured. Monday felt

it drowned out every other noise in the bustling office. For now, no one seemed t

she muttered under her bre

ut her mind kept wandering. Had someone already reported her to HR? Would the

Exhaled

Claudia, holding a smug expression, and the other was a tall, intimidating woman in a sleek blac

" Claudia

rowned. "

her voice clipped. "You'll f

Claudia smirking out of the corner of h

and let out

face the rest o

you don't know how to separ

ed to embarr

rprised that she

etting fired for the peter situa

r, and there claudia asked for Rachael's tag, but the other woman s

rivate elevator at the far end of the building, It looked pristine, almost untouched, with polished silver doors tha

he air. When the elevator dinged and the doors opened,

er was black marble that shimmered faintly under the warm, golden lights. The walls were lined with intr

e suit instructed, walking

rs revealing opulent meeting rooms with sleek leather chairs and high-tech screens.

door, and the woman made a quick phone cal

's hear

nto an office, Behind the massive desk sat Deevin

d to the woman without bre

behind her, letting he

chair, tapping a pen again

rachael, carefully analy

still carefully analyzing every inch of Racha

o b

s face expressionless, fiddling with

it back. He moved around the desk, his steps deliberate and

ay from her, his piercin

an eventful week

an exp

ke velvet. He stepped closer, his towering

onal," she said, h

his voice low but full of menace. He stopped i

d falling rapidly. She couldn't tear her eyes away f

ved, and for a moment, she thought he was going to touch her face. Instead, he reached past her, grabbi

," he said softly

Wh

fraid of m

wer lip, refus

his breath warm against her ea

r down her spine, and

the tension. Deevin straightened, his

me

n stepped in. "Sir, you'r

st time, his eyes lingering on h

smirks at Rachael, leaving her standing alone in the middle