ログインKelly caught up with me in the corridor outside, slightly breathless.“Miss Houston,” his voice didn't hide the doubt it held, “Are you sure about this?”But I was not in the mood to listen to his discouraging criticism, so I cut “I need the software interface files forwarded to my system immediately,” I told him, not bothering to slow my pace. “And I need the original development team in my office before lunch. All of them,” I added.“Yes, Miss Houston.”“Kelly.”I stopped and turned back. He stopped too.“One more thing. I need something from Mr. Alex’s office.”He waited.“There’s a book on the second shelf. Black cover, silver lettering. Breach Protocol by D.”Something shifted in his expression, like he was trying not to smile.“I’ll have it on your desk in ten minutes,” he said.The software interface was worse than I had expected.I had expected problems, but definitely not this. Incomplete logic chains, broken API connections, security vulnerabilities sitting open like unlocke
It had been a few weeks since the company dinner. Maybe six weeks? And the house eventually became a place where we coexisted.Though we all lived together, we barely saw each other.My mom was either performing late surgeries at the hospital or fast asleep in her room. While Alex started leaving for work earlier than usual, he leaves the office early but always gets home late, and sometimes he doesn’t even come home.I did the same, just that I didn’t sleep out.Though sometimes we passed each other in the kitchen, there was no crossing of boundaries.Since that night, the only words we said to each other were either good morning or something not worth remembering.I don’t know if he liked it, but I was aching for him so much that most of the night I ended up soaking my pants and rubbing my fingers around my clit. Never really tried pushing them in cause I wanted him to be the first to give me those feelings.I still had hope that one day I would have him between my legs and he wou
Alex’s POVThe drive home was quiet and the atmosphere was eerie awkward. The rain had started pouring immediately our car hit the road. I was too stunned to say a word. I wanted to regret what I had just done, but I couldn't. She was seated beside me, her head resting on the car's headrest, her face turned towards the window as the city moved past us.She had not said a word to me since I helped her into the car.Taking her home tonight wasn't part of my plans, but throughout that dinner I couldn't control my anger when I saw those two galavanting around her.When she walked out of that hall, I couldn't stop myself from following. I don't know why I did that, but I rejected it immediately because two other guys had followed her too. I happened to overhear their conversations, one of them was the reason why she almost got drowned, while the other was the intern she threatened to fuck if I kept ignoring her. He was trying to make her take him back. But she wasn't giving him a liste
Zina’s PovI calmed myself and gently placed the glass on the table with utmost care.Elena and Viktor had noticed.I noticed Viktor tightened his fist and looked away without saying a word to me.While Elena gently touched me with worries in her eyes, “Zina, are you okay? Do you it know him?” “It's Fine.” My voice came out steady, which surprised me. “He’s just an old acquaintance, but I'm fine.” I smile at her. When Elena finally turned away from me, I straightened on my chair and folded my hands between my legs to stop them from trembling.Finally, when the formal part of the evening, which was the introduction, ended. The atmosphere was leas tense. The soft music, which had barely been audible during the introductions, was now loud. Not too loud, but enough to make people move their bodies slightly. Different people started conversing with each other. Both old staffs and New staffs started getting along.I stayed where I was, pressing my phone like I wasn’t part of the crowd.
Zina’s POVI saw the email immediately after I logged into my portal to sign in for the day. I almost didn’t open it.The subject line read: LexTech Quarterly Welcome Dinner: Attendance Is Mandatory- For both new and old staff, and all interns must attend.I read it just once and decided it could wait. Not like I wanted to be there anyway.Twenty seconds later, my phone began to beep with message notifications. It was from the group chat Viktor had named “Work Besties” on our second day, without consulting either of us.Viktor: HAVE YOU BOTH SEEN THE EMAIL???Elena: Yes!! I’m so excited. I’ve barely met anyone outside our floor. This is exactly what I needed.Viktor: Same. Honestly, how many people even work here? I’ve seen maybe fifteen faces in two weeks.I stared at the screen for a moment before typing.Zina: I saw it. I’m not going.Their response came almost immediately.Viktor: I’m sorry???Elena: Zina.Viktor: Did you read the subject line? It says MANDATORY. Zina: I read it
Alex’s PovTonight, I was the one driving us home because I wanted to spend more time with her.I had told Kelly he could take the day off tonight, and he did.She was looking out the window the entire time, while I couldn’t keep my eyes on the road. Not when she was just beside me.When we got into traffic, I broke the thick silence between us. “Zina.” She didn’t turn, but I continued.“I know what you want from me.” She turned to look at me. I didn't even know that she was still crying, and her eyes were now reddish. Seeing her like that almost made me let my guard down, but I quickly looked away as soon as our eyes met.“But you should also know,” I continued, keeping my voice moderate, “that I cannot give it to you.”“Why?” she asked.“Because I am your father,” I responded, making sure my eyes were on the road.“Alex, but I’ve told you many times already, you are not my father, and you are not my blood, fathers don’t look at their daughter the way you do.” The way she said it m
Zina’s POVI woke up a few minutes before my alarm. The plan was to prepare early for my first day, but I found myself staring at the ceiling for several minutes, listening to the quiet sounds of the house as it settled into the morning, my thoughts already racing.Though I passed the screening, I
Zina’s POVBy evening, the executive floor was empty. Not entirely empty, but gradually.I didn’t move. I had my earpods on, my second screen was open beside the first, and I was still very engrossed in my work.You should have started earlier, the criticizing part of my brain judged.“Whatever!”T
Zina's POV“Let go of me, you bastard. I don’t need your help. I’d rather fall than have you touch me.”I struggled against his grip, but he didn’t even flinch.“Language, young lady,” he said calmly.That calm tone only made it worse.“I said let go of me,” I snapped, lowering my voice. “Or I’ll s
I watched as color drained from her face.But said nothing.Thick Silence settled over the table. After so many years of dealing with different types of people, I realized that many people hated silence. Many always hurried to fill it, or smooth it over with nervous laughter or pointless explanat







