Mag-log inLiam BoydI stared at the two women in front of me. One looked confident while the other looked sad. On several occasions, I found out that a person’s confidence comes from telling the truth.But veritable liars can also look you in the face without blinking. They can lie on their teeth without batting an eyelash.There is not much that differentiates the two, especially if one is skilled at lying.My gaze lingered on Gwen. She was actually quite a puzzle. Monique hated her and accused her of a close association with Damian Olson.In the past two weeks that she had been working here, I realized that Gwen was dependable and reliable in her job. She had this quiet dignity radiating off of her.Was it the reason why Damian Olson favored her over Monique?Monique’s my favorite, but I have to admit that she has been spoiled by us, her family, and by her shot at fame. She always threw a fit when things didn’t go her way.On the other hand, Gwen does not look like life spoiled her. She acted
Gwen POVThe smug look on Lisa’s face made me madder than I could ever be.I forced myself to calm down, trying to maintain a neutral expression, even as I sensed mounting doubt from those around me.I looked at the medicine kit slung over my shoulder and realized I had fallen prey to Lisa’s machinations.She played me well. She used my preparedness as evidence of my guilt.I took a deep breath and held my tongue. Inside, I was furious. I was seething in anger at Lisa’s genius.I bit the side of my cheek to restrain myself and just followed Lisa out.She was walking ahead of me.While I walked, I could feel the stares of my coworkers. And then, Lorry blocked my path. “I believe you are innocent.” She said in a loud voice.The vouch of confidence was unexpected. I never realized that the shy Lorry, who would rather eat at the emergency stairs, would risk losing her anonymity just to declare her belief in me.Emotion caught in my throat, and tears pricked my eyes as I struggled to stay
Gwen POVFriday soon came.“Hurry up! Hurry up!” Lisa was yelling at me. She was standing at the door to the conference room where the meeting was going to be held.I just got in, and she was already harassing me with her demands.There were no signs of the investors yet, but she was already in a frenzy.If she could growl, then that was short of what she was doing to me. She was trying to intimidate me and make me dance to her tune.“It’s still early,” I commented when I stopped in front of her. My gaze was all on my tablet, checking my list and schedules.“Where are the caterers?” She cried.“They’re on their way up,” I told her calmly. She gave me a side eye.“You don’t even look tense. Why? Aren’t you worried that something might go wrong?”A frown formed and creased my forehead.I did not know what she was getting at. We already made preparations until almost midnight last night.I made sure that all the departments that were going to report had their files on the hard drive. I a
Gwen POVIt was Monday morning. Actually, my second week here. My training period has officially ended, and I was absorbed as a regular member of the staff.After familiarizing myself with the company system and the work entrusted to me, I began to become confident in my performance.It’s not always a walk in the park, but at least I am getting the hang of it.When I arrived at the office, I found my coworkers in a panic.When they saw me, everyone talked at once. They did not even wait for me to reach my table. They all flocked toward me.“Gwen! Thank God you are here!”“Gwen, I need your help.”“Gwen! You need to do this first thing.”I do not know what’s making everyone in a frenzy, but I signalled with my palm up and called them all to order.“Wait! One at a time!”A crowd began to form a semi-circle around me. Not long ago, I remembered how these same people seemed to avoid me. They even make fun of me, but now, they look at me as if their lives depended on me.“What’s with all t
Gwen POVI walked to my department and felt their eyes on me. It was undermining my newfound confidence.I faltered on my way in, seeing their gazes fixed on me like a piercing stab.I almost turned around to leave, but the thought that I do not have enough money in my pocket to survive even a week of joblessness, I began to grit my teeth and walked inside.I walked slowly, feeling the weight of my co-workers’ eyes on me.Even Lisa, who was already in her seat, snorted when she saw me coming in.“I thought you already gave up.” She told me, but I ignored her.There was no sense in forcing myself to respond when I knew that nothing I would say mattered to them.These people were here not only to undermine me. It was clear that day that they wanted to break me to submission if I wanted to continue working here.I bowed my head to let her think that I was submitting to her, but in my head, I reminded myself to be wary of everyone around me. No one here can be trusted, except Lorry. She
Gwen POVI brushed off my embarrassment. If I let anger take over and snapped at everyone mocking me, I knew my job could be at risk.I was new, friendless, and saddled with a potential lifelong enemy in my work-station neighbor, Lisa.I can’t add to the list.Antagonizing my co-workers on my first day on the job would be a big no.There are many things much crucial to the job, and that is the company culture. As a newbie, I needed to understand it first to be able to navigate my workplace effectively. The performance of the job is one thing. It was how to fit in and get the respect of your co-workers that hang on a lot of things.I dusted off my pants, went out in search of logistics, and asked if I could have my chair replaced.In the meantime, I endured standing while working.I saw several people from the office raise their brows at me, but I ignored them.Lunch break came. No one approached my desk to invite me to join them for lunch.That was okay. I was used to being alone. I w
Damian POVAfter calling my secretary’s attention to leave instructions on cancelling all my appointments for the rest of the day, I strode briskly toward my private elevator.Baron and Mason followed me.While waiting for the elevator car to descend, I swiped my phone and read for the second time
Damian POV I was fuming mad. I stopped the car and stared at the house in front of me. From the looks of it, its master was not yet home. My hands gripped the steering wheel hard. Then from somewhere, I heard the sound of an approaching car. My eyes squinted to see its plate number. My jaw clen
Gwen POVI wanted to turn around and leave, but that would be the height of disrespect. He was not just any man but a senator, and despite my feelings, I just can’t snub him.
GwenI really think that Damian Olson was not the playboy and wealth squanderer that his family portrayed him as.I eyed him. My eyes narrowed while I tried to figure him out after the patrolling police had gone ahead of us.“What are you really?” I asked because, for the first time, I really think







