Chapter 11 The Rumors

I woke up from the bed tired and exhausted from all that happened yesterday. It is taking a toll on me right now. To tell the truth, yesterday was the most unexpected day of my life. I have never imagined that on my first day of work, I will kiss my boss. Not once but twice.

It is so embarrassing, I groan onto my pillow. How am I supposed to face Lyra? Will she tell everyone that the new PA seduced and kissed the boss on her first day? How will everyone look at me? Will they think I slept my way to the position? Haa, God please help me today. I really need it.

Then there is Marcus, who asked me to stay away and not come to work. But I have to go. I can't stay at home on my second day just because he says so. How am I going to face him? Will he think I am desperate? That I came to work just to be close to him.

But I don't care. I need the job to survive, to maintain my living expenses. He has to understand that. I am not like him, born of a silver spoon. I have to work to keep living fine.

And about the kiss, how do we even face each other now? Will things be awkward? Will he think I am cheap for letting a man I just met to kiss me? Why do I even care about how he sees me? He can think what he wants. I should stop caring about this.

But as I lay here trying to convince myself, the memory of his lips brushing against mine suddenly hit me again, warm, unexpected, confusing. My heart gave a painful thud. Why did it feel so intense? Why did it feel like something inside me woke up?

I pressed my hand to my chest trying to calm my heartbeat, but it only thumped harder, almost like it wasn't mine. My fingers shook slightly, and I drew in a long breath. 

“No, no, stop thinking about it,” I whispered. But my body wasn’t listening. With that I got up and went to the restroom to get ready and started my day.

After taking a shower, I dressed carefully, trying to choose something that said “capable” without announcing my nervousness to the entire building. My stomach rolled at the thought of the elevator ride, of the faces in the lobby, of the inevitable moment when Marcus and I would see each other. I made my way to the living room.

I made a quick breakfast as I entered the kitchen. Isabella is not at home, she left with Liam last night. So I had the house to myself. I ate quickly and called the cab man. By the time I am done with food. He was already outside waiting for me. I immediately went out and entered the car. And we headed to the office.

I arrived at the building soon after, walked in, and went straight to the elevator after exchanging greetings with the receptionist.

On the ride up, I rehearsed ten different versions of how the morning might go: he would ignore me; he would apologize; he would act like nothing happened; Lyra would make a scene; he would fire me; he would claim me. Each version made my palms sweat more than the last. And I thanked God that there was no one in the elevator, which made me avoid a lot of people, except for the receptionist I saw downstairs. I don't want to face anyone for now.

Sofia greeted me with a bright, innocent smile as soon as I reached the top floor. “Morning, Miss Isolde! How was” She paused the second her eyes flicked to me and then widened slightly. “You look somewhat different.”

I forced a smile, has everyone known about Marcus and I . “Different, how.” I asked nervously.

“I don't know,” She said, tiling her head, “I can't pinpoint it, all I know is that you look different from yesterday. But maybe I was just imagining things. Don't think too much about this.” Sofia said.

“Alright, has the boss arrived?” I asked. “not yet.” She replied. 

“Okay, I am heading to my office to prepare for the day,” I said. And left her walking towards my office. Along the way I passed my colleagues whose office is also on the top floor. They also work closely with Marcus. But they were all looking at me strangely. My stomach tightened. Why? Did Lyra tell them something?

Then I heard whispers soft, distant, but somewhat clear. “Why is her scent different today? Humans don’t smell like that, it is intoxicating.”

What scent are they talking about? I smelled and looked the same. And how do humans smell? Also how do I hear them? They were really far from me. How could I hear them? Something was definitely wrong. Is this even normal when did my hearing turns this sharper?

I walked towards my office confused and conflicted. Unconsciously I reached my office door, and just as I was about to open it.

 “Hey, you must be the new PA right?” A woman asked, looking at me up and down. “Yes, my name is Selena, And you are?” I asked because I don't remember seeing her yesterday and Sofia didn't introduce her.

“Hi, I'm Zara. Marcus sister” She said, extending her hand with a smile.

I shook it slowly. “Hi, what can I do for you? The CEO is not here”

“I know he's not here. I just came to see the girl who made my brother to lose focus and get drawn to her. And I can see you truly are different” My eyes widened, as she said that.

“And the same girl who made Lyra furious by kissing my brother, something she never got the chance to do.” Zara laughed softly. “Honestly? I love you already. Can we be friends?” 

Oh no. Did lyra tell her about the kiss? And friends with her really? But, she did have a friendly aura. I like her a little already.

I opened my mouth to respond, but her phone rang. “Sorry, I have to take this, it's important” she said and answered the call, she talked for a while before ending the call. “I am truly sorry I have to go, we will talk another time. Give me your number so we can talk and chat, "she said.

We exchanged numbers, before she left in a hurry. And I finally stepped into my office.

As soon as the door closed behind me, I let out a long shaky breath. Marcus’s sister. So that is the kind of woman born into his world. Bold, confident, glowing with something I couldn't explain. And she said I was “different.”

I rubbed my arms slowly. Why does everyone keep saying that today? Why do I feel so warm inside, like energy is humming beneath my skin? Nothing about this is normal.

I sat down and started my work for the day, I stopped thinking about all the mess in my life for the moment. After about 30 minutes, Sofia called. There is a meeting about a particular department. I had to attend on behalf of the CEO and update him on everything that was discussed there when he arrived.

I stood up and made my way there. The meeting is taking place on the second floor. When I arrived I entered the meeting room, I saw Lyra sitting at the head seat since Marcus was not around. I couldn't help but think that she must have done it on purpose and made me attend this meeting. Our eyes met, and she glared at me. I sat quietly in a corner and brought out my recorder and recorded everything discussed.

“Now the meeting has concluded.” Lyra annouced. “i will like for the PA to deliver all messages to the CEO. Thank you for coming here, we appreciate it, and your effort in serving the CEO diligently in work and physically, even though you have only been here for two days ” 

Gasps. Eyes. All on me.

Heat crawled up my neck. Shock stabbed my stomach.

I knew she would do something, but I didn’t think she would humiliate me publicly like this. Didn’t she fear Marcus' anger at all?

“But I want you to understand something,” she continued. “He is mine. No matter how many times he kisses you, or has sex with you. You two can never be together, you are not from the same world. He will always come back to me. Only, I am fit to be with him” she said and walked out of the meeting room.

Everyone started to talk as Lyra went out. Whispers exploded. I grabbed my things and ran out, and walked straight to the top office.

My steps were fast, uneven, almost stumbling as I rushed down the hallway. I could feel their stares even when no one was there. My throat tightened.

Why did she have to say it like that?

The shame burned so hot it felt like my skin was on fire.

My vision blurred for a moment and I blinked hard, refusing to cry in the open hallway. The walls felt too close, my breathing too loud.

I just needed a place any place away from everyone.

I reached a nearby restroom and slipped inside, collapsing on the floor.

How could she do this, now everyone will talk. Everyone will know what happened. What should I do? I don't want to be the talk of the entire Enterprise. I just wanted a quiet and peaceful work environment.

I heard the door of the next restroom opened. Two women walked inside and started talking. “Have you heard the new gist circling around the office for some minutes now?” One said. 

“You mean the new PA having sex with the boss? I know about it already. It was posted on the group chat” the second person said. 

Their voices were cruel, sharp. They talked about me in ugly ways. And I heard every word, clearly. Even through the soundproofing. My hearing really was getting sharper.

“What should I do now?” I whispered to myself, I was confused. “I know all Lyra wants is for me to leave the Enterprise willingly. If it were another girl, she would have left because she wouldn’t stand the stares, the whispers, the isolation. But I am different. I won’t back away. I won’t resign and give her what she wants. I am stronger than this. I can face anything. Their talks won’t break me. Not when I have a clear conscience.”

I hugged myself tighter. “You can do it, Selena,” I whispered. “I believe in myself.”