LIANA After washing my face and freshening up, I went back to the break room, only to find Zaylen sitting on the couch with two cups of coffee on the coffee table nearby. “Hope you had a nice nap,” he uttered as I took a seat next to him. “Yeah, it was refreshing indeed.” “Here is your cup.” He forwarded a mug to me. I took it as he said, “I didn’t put sugar in it. I don’t know how much sugar you take so…” “I am glad you didn’t add sugar. I drink sugar free coffee,” I informed him. His eyes widened in astonishment. “No way! I don’t take either.” “Oh, wow,” I mumbled and took a sip. “It’s wonderful. Thank you.” “I am glad you liked it,” said Zaylen as he took a sip as well. “By the way, I will never forget the favor you did.” I chuckled. “Please. My favor is nothing considering the favors you did for me.” “Still, I am grateful,” he urged. “Okay, well, how about we call it even then? You helped me first and then I did. That’s it,” I suggested. He twitched his lips for a wh
LIANA As I navigated through the mountain of tasks on my desk, I couldn't shake the feeling of pressure weighing down on me. With James's sudden disappearance, the workload had surged, leaving me to pick up the pieces and manage the chaos. But amidst the frenzy of deadlines and responsibilities, there was a sense of satisfaction simmering within me. For what James had done to me, his absence now felt like a small victory. James may have fled and become a fugitive, but the consequences of his actions were finally catching up to him. With Zaylen suing him for defamation, James was facing the repercussions of his deceit, and it brought a small measure of justice to my heart. Knowing that James was now struggling without access to his resources brought a sense of vindication. After all the pain he had caused me, seeing him face the consequences of his actions felt like a form of poetic justice. He was reaping what he had sown. Despite the overwhelming workload, I found solace in t
LIANA “Ugh, I hate being single. I don’t even have an excuse to leave early,” I complained and took the cup. “Though, I needed this a lot. Thanks.” “My pleasure.” Zaylen grabbed Sara’s empty chair and pulled it near my one before sitting. He looked at me intently, his expression filled with concern. “Liana, you should take care of yourself.” I shrugged as I mumbled nonchalantly, “I am.” “You aren’t even eating on time as per Sara. Besides, you are working overtime a lot. I never told you to do that.” I turned to him at that instant. Why was he inquiring about me, that too from Sara? Was he actually worried about me? Even Jordan teased me about it. Was it true by any chance? No, no. I brushed off that thought and told Zaylen with a teasing look, “Don’t worry. I didn’t tell anyone that my boss forced me to work. So your image is safe in front of everyone.” He rolled his eyes. “We both know it’s not about that.” Noticing his seriousness, I smiled with assurance and placed my han
LIANA As the interview commenced, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation mingled with excitement. I was eager to appoint a new employee. However, my surprise knew no bounds when I saw Zaylen unexpectedly walking in the interview room. "Zaylen?" I exclaimed, unable to hide my astonishment. "What are you doing here?" He shrugged nonchalantly, his expression giving away nothing as he replied, "Just bored, thought I'd tag along." “But don’t you have work to do?” I let out. “Well, I am the boss so I don’t think I am answerable to you. I have a right to be during the interview and see who you are hiring for my company.” There was a hint of annoyance in his tone as he turned away from me, giving me the cold shoulder. I couldn't help but feel a pang of confusion at his abrupt dismissal, wondering what had caused his sudden change in demeanor. Had I done something to upset him? Or was there something else bothering him that I wasn't aware of? All of a sudden, it struck
LIANA We decided that Mihir would interview the candidates first and then he would shortlist some candidates. I would interview those shortlisted candidates. So Zaylen and I just watched Mihir interviewing others. It was kinda funny because most of them barely had any idea of how that job worked. “By the way, where is Jordan?” I initiated a conversation with my now grumpy boss. I didn’t like him being quiet and mad at me like that. “Why?” he inquired. “Usually, he would accompany you anywhere you go so not seeing him here with you is kinda surprising,” I informed him. “He is busy handling a meeting.” I arched an eyebrow in confusion. “A meeting without you?” “I didn’t attend it,” came his short reply. “But why?” I couldn’t help but ask. “I didn’t feel like it.” “Wow, you didn’t feel like attending a meeting but you felt like attending this,” I teased, but he sighed in response. “Come on, at least talk to me,” I urged. “I am,” he deadpanned. “Yes, but you aren’t talking
ZAYLEN Aaron’s formalities were complicated, and he was officially a Market Research Analyst of Fournier company. As much as I hate to admit it, his interview was really great. But I didn’t like the way Liana found him cute or his name likable. “Won’t you go on a round, Boss?” Jordan asked, stepping into my cabin. I glanced at the time on my wristwatch. “Oh, right. Let’s go.” It was the perfect excuse to go and see what Liana was doing and whether that Aaron was bothering her or not. I got up from my chair and directly went to Liana’s floor. “What about the other floors?” I heard Jordan, who was following me. “I am pretty sure they are doing a great job. You can go on a round by yourself to those floors,” I let out and went near Liana’s desk. “Wow, you two already finished roaming the other floors?” Sara inquired as she got up from her seat. “Nope. Those are on me now, apparently,” Jordan replied while I rolled my eyes. “According to Zaylen, going on a round means going t
LIANA I awkwardly sipped my latte, my gaze flickering over the group gathered around the table. Someone might be wondering how so many people ended up here with Aaron. Well, all thanks to Zaylen, who had extended the invitation to everyone as if he was the one treating. And there he was, sitting right beside me, a casual smile on his lips as he engaged in conversation with Jordan. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of confusion at the unexpected company. Aaron sat on the other side of the table beside Kiara, while Sara chatted animatedly with him, completely at ease in the bustling café atmosphere. As I glanced around the table, I couldn't shake the feeling of everyone being manipulated by Zaylen. I cleared my throat, grabbing Zaylen’s attention. “Is something wrong?” he asked as innocently as possible. But I could clearly see through that innocence! I cast a sharp glance in his direction. "This is your plan to stop me from getting close to Aaron, isn't it?" I accused, my voi
LIANA “Zaylen? What are you doing here standing in front of the ladies' washroom?” I teased Zaylen. “Oh, so you have a problem when I stand here, but when Aaron did, you were gossiping with him,” he scowled. I arched an eyebrow and crossed my arms against my chest. “Were you eavesdropping?” “No. I was nearby, and as I have sharp ears, I couldn’t help but hear. Besides, you two were too loud to not hear anyway.” I gasped at his accusation. “I am not loud!” “Then it must be Fugly,” he stated. “It’s Fuglez, and besides, don’t we have a rule in our office to be on the first name basis? So call him Aaron,” I pointed out, but he shrugged. “Unlike you, I don’t like the name ‘Aaron’ that much. So Fugly it is.” Knowing it was pointless arguing with him, I started walking. He matched my pace and said, “Everyone already went back as they were getting late. I was waiting for you.” “You should have gone too. I know the way to the office, you know?” “Still, I didn’t want to leave you