The Rumor That Set Everything on Fire

If there was ever a morning that felt too bright, too loud, too revealing… it was this one.

The Hawaiian sun was blazing over the resort, but inside me everything felt cold and trembling. My lips still tingled from the near-kiss with Alan on the beach. My body still felt the imprint of his hands. And my mind—God—my mind wouldn't stop replaying his whisper against my lips:

"This isn't over."

I walked into the conference lounge trying to pretend my heart wasn't a wild animal beating against its cage.

But the moment I stepped inside, the air shifted.

People were looking at me.

Some with curiosity.Some with judgment.Some trying too hard not to stare.

My stomach dropped.

"What…?" I whispered under my breath.

Before I could figure anything out, Kai rushed toward me, expression tense.

"Julia," he said quietly, leaning close, "whatever you hear today, don't react. Okay?"

I blinked. "Kai… what are you talking about?"

He exhaled like he was bracing for impact.

But he didn't get the chance to explain, because Veronica's voice rang out with dramatic sweetness.

"Oh please, Kai," she said loudly. "Everyone already knows. No point protecting her."

My heart froze.

I turned toward her slowly.

"Knows what?" I asked, though dread already prickled under my skin.

Veronica smiled the way wolves probably did before biting.

"That you and Alan spent the night together."

My world cracked.

"What?" I breathed. "That's not—Veronica, that's not what happened—"

She cut me off with a raised hand.

"I mean, congrats," she said brightly. "Not every intern manages to climb the ladder that fast."

A few coworkers snickered. Someone choked back a laugh. Someone else whispered behind their hand.

My cheeks burned.

Kai stepped in front of me like a shield.

"That's enough, Veronica."

"Oh really?" she shot back. "Then explain why Alan was seen leaving her apartment early this morning?"

The room erupted in gasps.

My blood turned to ice.

They had seen him.

I stood frozen in humiliation, unable to swallow, unable to breathe—And then the door opened.

Alan walked in.

And the entire room fell silent.

He scanned the faces around him… then found me.

His eyes softened.Then hardened.Then flicked to Kai standing close to me.Then back at Veronica.

His jaw locked so tightly I could see the muscle twitch.

"Everyone sit," he ordered.

Chairs scraped instantly.

But he kept glaring at Kai.

When Kai didn't move fast enough, Alan's voice sharpened:

"Kai. Sit. Down."

The room froze.Kai held his ground for a second—then slowly stepped back and sat beside me.

Alan looked like he wanted to break something.

He began the meeting, but he wasn't listening to himself. He kept darting glances at me. At Kai. At the whispers spreading around the table.

My skin tingled under each glance.My chest tightened with every rumor.

By the time the briefing ended, everyone rushed out like they were fleeing a lightning storm.

Everyone except me.

"Julia. Stay."

My breath hitched.

Veronica paused in the doorway, smirking. Kai hesitated until Alan snapped:

"I said stay."

Kai left reluctantly.

When the door finally shut, Alan turned to me.

And unleashed.

"Why was Kai touching you?" he demanded, voice low, fraying at the edges.

I blinked. "Alan, he wasn't touching me—"

"I saw it," he cut in. "He was standing too close. Too protective."

"It's because of the rumor—"

"I don't care about the rumor," he hissed. "I care about you smiling at him."

My lips parted. "What…? I didn't—"

"Don't lie." His voice shook. "I heard you. I saw you. I stood there watching you give him a smile you've never given me."

I inhaled sharply.Was he serious?

"Alan," I said quietly, "you're jealous."

"Of course I'm jealous!" he snapped, stepping closer. "After everything that happened last night, after holding you—after you sleeping in my arms—you're smiling at someone else this morning."

My heart jumped into my throat.

He stepped closer again.And again.Until my back hit the wall.

His hand braced beside my head, trapping me.

"Do you know what it did to me?" he whispered, voice shaking. "Hearing Kai's voice near you. Hearing him defend you. Hearing him act like he has a right to stand next to you."

I swallowed hard.

"You're being unfair," I whispered. "I didn't ask him to defend me."

"But he did," Alan said darkly, "and it burned me alive."

Something inside me cracked.

"Alan," I whispered, "I'm trying so hard. My father is dying. I'm drowning in work. And now I'm getting humiliated by rumors you helped start—because you came to my apartment—and I just… I don't know how to breathe anymore."

His expression shattered.

All jealousy, all fury, all possessiveness—

Gone.

"Julia…" he murmured, voice softening, breaking, melting. "I'm sorry. I'm so damn sorry."

He lifted a hand and wiped a tear I didn't know had escaped.

"Don't cry," he whispered. "Please. Not because of me."

My chest tightened painfully.

For a moment, the world softened.His forehead brushed mine.His breath mixed with mine.His hand slipped gently to my waist.

He was going to kiss me.

I felt it.He felt it.The air trembled with it.

And then

"A-Alan?"

I jerked away from him as Veronica stepped inside with red, teary eyes.

But not teary enough to hide the venom in her expression.

Her gaze swept over us—me cornered against the wall, Alan inches from touching me.

Her face twisted.

"I knew it," she whispered, voice trembling with betrayal. "It is true."

Alan tensed.I wrapped my arms around myself.

Veronica pointed at me.

"You," she snapped, "are finished. I'll make sure everyone knows exactly what you are."

Alan stepped forward, tone ice-cold."Veronica. Get out."

"No," she whispered fiercely. "You owe me an explanation."

"I owe you nothing."

Veronica stared at him as if he had stabbed her.

Then she stormed out, heels echoing like gunshots.

Silence swallowed the room.

I stared at the floor.

Alan took a step toward me.I took a step back.

His face fell.

"Julia," he said softly, "don't push me away."

But I couldn't breathe.I couldn't think.I couldn't let my knees give out.

"Not right now," I whispered.

His jaw tightened with pain he didn't hide.

"This isn't over," he murmured.

I didn't answer.

Because I wasn't sure if I wanted it to be over…or if I was terrified of how much I didn't want it to be.