Chapter 7) Do You Have a Boyfriend?

I had no time to investigate who the traitor was, but this time, I had to stay alert. I needed to finish my regular work quickly so I could start on my project again. It wasn’t easy. After a hectic day, I had to switch gears and dive back into a task I had already completed once.

It was time to shut down the laptop. Most of the staff had already packed up and left. The office slowly emptied out until I realized I was the only one left on the floor.

“Yeah!” I smiled to myself.

Surprisingly, I wasn’t tired. I quickly adjusted my mood and began again. After all, this was my work. I still remembered key data, and several survey papers were intact. It wouldn’t be as hard as starting from scratch.

Grunt...

My stomach growled, reminding me it had been four hours since I’d last eaten. I glanced at the clock — it was already 10:00 PM.

“Should I go out and eat something?”

“Or should I just order in?”

After a moment of thought, I decided on the first option. My body needed movement as much as food.

I stood up and walked toward the elevator. I pressed the button and waited.

Ting.

The door slid open — and I froze.

Standing inside the lift were Mr. William and his girlfriend, Natasha.

It wasn’t the VIP elevator, so I had every right to use it. Still, my steps faltered. I didn’t know whether I should enter or wait for the next one.

“Come here,” Natasha called out.

I bowed my head slightly and stepped in. Neither of them looked pleased. Truthfully, I didn’t want to share this space — especially not with him. The man who had taken my virginity and left me with nothing but regret.

I stood silently in the corner.

Just as the elevator doors closed, Natasha began, “Hmm, working late?”

In my mind, I snapped: Mind your own business.

But aloud, I offered a bitter smile and said, “Just doing some overtime.”

Silence followed for a few seconds.

Then she asked again, “So, you don’t bring anything with you?”

I frowned. “Excuse me?”

“I mean,” she smiled sweetly, “you don’t bring a purse to work?”

“I carry an office bag,” I said calmly.

“Where is it, then?”

“In the office.”

“Then why are you going out?”

“To eat,” I replied simply.

“Are you planning to come back and work again?” she asked.

Her constant probing irritated me, but the next voice came from William.

“Will you be working again tonight?” he asked, his tone deep and cold.

His mood was clearly off. He wasn’t even looking at me. Still, his voice gave me chills.

“Yes, sir,” I answered softly.

Another round of silence.

Ting.

The elevator opened, and I stepped out quickly. I had no desire to be around them any longer.

Just as I was walking away, I heard someone call out.

“Lily!”

It was Natasha.

Seriously?

Why was she following me now? After stealing my boyfriend, did she think we were going to be best friends?

She walked up with a smile and said, “Umm, why don’t you join us for dinner?”

I didn’t want to. I had enough money. I didn’t need to eat with them.

But somehow, my voice failed me. I couldn’t say no, and Natasha wasn’t exactly asking — it felt more like a command.

She turned and called out, “Baby, let’s eat together. A little reunion would be fun.”

Reunion?

What kind of twisted joke was this? Who wants a reunion with their ex?

William was walking toward us now, clearly uncomfortable. Our eyes met briefly — even he didn’t seem interested in this charade. But for Natasha’s sake, he agreed.

...

The food looked delicious. Under normal circumstances, I would have dug in immediately. But sitting at a table with William and Natasha? I kept my movements formal.

Natasha started reminiscing. “Do you remember the first time the three of us went out for dinner? Six or seven years ago?”

I gave her a sharp smile. “Yeah. I remember. I introduced William to you.”

Their expressions changed instantly. Neither had expected me to say that. But it was true, and I didn’t regret saying it.

He wasn’t loyal. End of story.

Everyone began eating. The food tasted as good as it looked.

Then Natasha blurted, “I thought you’d forgotten us.”

I gave her a blank look and kept eating.

She continued, “So, are you single? Or dating someone?”

Unbelievable. This woman was too much.

I looked at her calmly and said, “Sorry, ma’am. That’s my personal life.”

Immediately, William began staring at me.

Yes, my personal life. What business did he have asking or caring?

His face remained unreadable, but the cold intensity in his eyes was hard to miss.

Eventually, he looked away and resumed eating.

...

Chapter 7) Do you have any boyfriend?

Good food equals good energy. After dinner, I felt refreshed. Back at the office, I dove into my work, focused and motivated.

Time slipped by, and before I knew it, it was almost midnight. I decided to pack up and go home.

As I stood, I suddenly heard a voice behind me.

“You’re still here?”

My heart nearly jumped out of my chest.

I turned around — it was William.

He had appeared out of nowhere, hands in his pockets, his expression unreadable.

I exhaled shakily. “Yes, sir.”

He took a few steps forward. “Why are you working overtime? Do you need money?”

I bit my lip. Should I tell him about my project? But what if he told Natasha? What if she sabotaged me again?

I stayed silent for a moment before replying, “Yes, sir. I need money.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Lily Stephens… who are you trying to fool?”

I didn’t respond.

After a long pause, he added, “I gave you a check for fifty thousand dollars. And you still need money?”

I clenched my fists.

“I was just about to go home,” I said, hoping he’d drop it.

He stepped closer. “You still haven’t answered my question.”

He looked… angry. But not just angry — something else, too. Conflicted?

I felt my breath quicken.

“I’m working on the same project,” I admitted finally. “The one that was destroyed. I have to finish it before the deadline. I want another chance at the promotion.”

He stared at me in silence.

Seconds passed. He was processing everything. I had no idea what was going through his mind.

Then, out of nowhere, he asked—

“Do you have a boyfriend?”