Chapter 6

Erica kept talking, but my mind was just drifting all over the place except the present. Her words blurred into noise—as if someone’s flipping book pages too fast to catch

“... oh right, by the way,” Erica casually dropped the bomb, snapping me back, “the CEO’s visiting this department later.”

My soul left my body. I stared at her in raw horror. Perfect. Just perfect. As if running into him in the elevator wasn’t enough for one morning, and now he’s coming here. To our department. To the same floor. Inhaling the same oxygen I breathe. Is the universe punishing me for what happened that night? If so, then I fully repent all my sins!

“Really!” I blurted far too loudly. Erica clamped her hand over my mouth as some of our officemates were starting to turn to look at us. We silently bowed our heads and whispered sorry.

“Vera, calm down,” she whispered, stifling a laugh. “Yes. I heard our manager say so.”

“For what?” I asked, my voice thin, my stomach twisting itself into knots.

“Oh, I believe he’s trying to look for a new secretary.”

“...In our department?” I blinked twice, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes!” Erica sounded more excited than she ever was. “Aren’t you excited? I heard he’s handsome as hell!”

Excited? If only she knew. I’d seen far more than his handsome face. I’d seed the rest of him. And tasted him. And—-Nope. I shook my head immediately before my mind would start to replay the creeping flashbacks.

“I already saw him once,” I casually said.

“Tell me, is he handsome?” Erica leaned closer, eyes gleaming, trying to get an answer from me. Erica’s new in the company. She’d joined only for less than a year, so it’s no surprise that she hasn’t seen the CEO yet.

I swallowed hard. Handsome was an understatement to describe how he looked. That CEO looked like he was handcrafted carefully by the gods and goddesses.

Erica straightened instantly, offended. “You’re lying. There’s no way. Everyone says he’s gorgeous.”

“Well, he’s definitely not more handsome than me.”

My heart sank. That voice. That stupid, familiar voice.

Theo.

If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have been upset at the party. If I hadn’t been upset, I wouldn’t have gotten drunk. If I hadn’t gotten drunk, I wouldn’t have ended up having a night with the CEO and be secretly pregnant with his baby.

He stepped in closer—too close—grinning a smile. “Hi, Vera. Good morning.”

I jerked back instinctively. His face was inches away, and for someone who has a girlfriend, he had no concept of boundaries.

I pushed his forehead lightly to create distance. “Good morning, Theo.”

Erica blinked with the sudden difference in the atmosphere. “No way! He’s definitely way more handsome than you,” she teased, trying to ease off the tension with nervous laughter.

“Then, let’s ask Vera,” Theo scoffed, letting out a smirk. “Vera, who’s more handsome? Me or the CEO?”

My chest tightened. If this were months ago, back when I was smitten and blind, I would’ve said his name without thinking. But now? Now the very sight of him made my stomach twist. Or maybe this was nausea again.

I could feel my vision swaying again, and bile rising.

“I don’t know,” I muttered, standing abruptly. “Excuse me, I have to go to the bathroom.”

Erica looked confused, while Theo looked suspicious. I could feel their gazes burning in my back as I walked away. But another familiar pair of footsteps followed.

Theo grabbed my wrist before I could turn the corner..

“Hey,” he hissed, voice laced with frustration, “ is this about that night? I said I’m sorry, okay? I don’t even know why I should be apologizing, but still.”

A bitter laugh almost escaped my mouth. Of course. Why would he need to apologize? Besides, we're just friends.

“You don’t have to apologize,” I said, trying to sound calm. “It was my mistake for thinking anything between us meant something.”

His brows knitted. “Vera, we’re just friends. I hope that’s clear”

He’s right. We’re just friends. I’ve heard it countless times already, yet those words still struck harder than I expected.

“Okay then,” I said stiffly, “as friends, let’s keep some distance. Out of respect for your girlfriend”

His expression cracked: hurt, frustration, and confusion all mixing like a storm.

“What’s your problem, Vera?” He snapped. “We’re friends. Why are you acting like this!”

I clenched my jaw. I didn’t have time to entertain the problem between us yet. The urge to vomit clawed up my throat, about to spill at any second.

“Nothing. Please leave me alone for I need to use the bathroom,” I was starting to get impatient too. I could really feel the vomit building up in my throat and the urge to puke.

I tried pulling away, but he only tightened his grip.

“Theo—” I warned, shooting him a look, trying not to gag.

But then—

“Personal problems should be dealt with at home.”

A deep, cold voice sliced and echoed through the hallway.

My heart plummeted.

Leviticus Foster stood there, hands in his pockets, expression unreadabled—but those gray eyes of his were sharp and enticing. It was as if his look could consume me whole and I’d be willing to again.

He glanced at Theo, then at his hand wrapped around my wrist.

“If your romantic issues are interfering with work,” he said icily, “better then resign.”

I could feel Theo stiffened beside me.

Leviticus stepped closer, his gaze now fixed directly on Theo, and voice dropping even lower.

“This woman clearly doesn’t want to talk to you,” he said. “If you don’t let her go, that would be considered harassment.”

Theo’s fingers immediately loosened in my wrist. I heard him click his tongue in irritation but didn’t dare speak harshly.

“I–I’m sorry.” Theo apologized before walking away.

I breathed a shaky sigh of relief the moment Theo disappeared around the corner. The problem wasn’t over yet, but at least he’s gone for now.

I turned slowly to face him again. His gray eyes, sharp and cold, were fixed on me. For a split second, I felt exposed, like he could see straight through me and through my thoughts.

“I… thank you,” I said quickly, bowing and forcing a smile. “And… I’m sorry for the trouble.”

“That’s the third time,” he murmured, almost under his breath, before turning and walking away.

I stood frozen in time for a moment, watching his facade fade down the hallway. The words echoed in my mind. The third time? My pulse skipped. Does he actually remember me? My chest tightened as I realized what just happened. Or am I just possibly overthinking things right now.

Maybe I heard him wrong… maybe I didn’t. But, one thing’s for sure right now—I need to use that bathroom immediately.