SARAHThe room was silent. Every eye turned to me, waiting. I could feel Sofia’s stare, sharp and expectant, like she wanted me to choke on my own breath. I didn’t. I sat up straight, let the quiet stretch a bit longer, then spoke.“I have a suggestion.”My voice sounded steadier than I felt. Marco leaned back in his chair, his gaze calm but focused. A few staff members shifted, pens still in hand, waiting to hear what I had to say. I caught Sofia’s smirk from across the table, the one that said she was already convinced I’d embarrass myself.“I’ve been thinking about the problem with document security,” I said, keeping my tone even. “Instead of assigning files to one department head, we could use a rotation system. Each week, two staff members from different teams review sensitive files together. That way, no single person has full control, and mistakes or leaks are easier to trace.”A few murmurs went around the table. One of the older managers, Pietro, nodded slightly. “That’s… act
SOFIAThe next morning came with a clear sky and sharp sunlight spilling through my curtains. I woke up before my alarm, already feeling that quiet rush of energy that came with knowing the day was mine to shape. I took my time in the mirror, choosing a fitted black dress and tying my hair neatly. I wanted to look untouchable. Power came in many forms—mine started with how I walked into a room.While eating breakfast, I scrolled through the office group chat. A message from Marco’s assistant caught my attention. Emergency staff meeting at noon. Topic: breach of client information. I stared at the words, a slow smile growing. Someone had messed up, and now there was chaos. Chaos always created openings.“Perfect,” I said under my breath, taking a sip of my coffee. “A room full of people, and Sarah pretending she belongs there.”I leaned back in my chair, thinking of her—her quiet act, her polite tone, how she always looked like she was holding her breath whenever I spoke. It was only a
SOFIANight had already swallowed the city, leaving the streets below glowing with quiet lights. I sat on my sofa, still in my work clothes, one heel kicked off, the other dangling from my foot. The silence in my apartment felt good, familiar. It gave space for my thoughts to breathe, to replay everything that had happened these last two days.I thought about Sarah’s face when she couldn’t open that office file yesterday. The tiny crack in her confidence, that hint of frustration she tried to hide. It played over in my mind like a sweet replay, and I smiled to myself. Then the coffee incident today. I almost laughed out loud remembering how she tried to hold her calm when it spilled. Everyone saw it. Everyone saw me “helping” her clean it up. Perfect timing, perfect performance.And Marco. He didn’t say a word against me. He just stood there, calm as ever, that look on his face that never gives away too much. But silence can say plenty, and I knew what his meant. He was watching, weig
SARAHThe alarm went off before the sun came up, but I was already awake. My mind had been restless all night, replaying Sofia’s message over and over again. “Let’s see if you’ve learned something.” Her words had burned into my head. I wasn’t going to give her another win.I got out of bed quietly and walked to the mirror. My eyes looked tired but focused. I took my time getting dressed—black skirt, cream blouse, hair tied neatly. I wanted to look composed, unbothered.Marco walked in while I was fastening my earrings. He leaned against the doorframe, half-smiling. “You look like you’re about to face a firing squad,” he said, amused.I glanced at him through the mirror. “Maybe I am.”He walked closer and wrapped his arms around me from behind. “You’re too tense, Sarah. It’s just work.”I shook my head lightly. “It’s not work I’m worried about. It’s her.”He chuckled. “Sofia?”“Yes. She sent me a message last night. Said I’ll be handling the whole morning prep alone. Like it’s a test.”
SARAHMy fingers hovered above the keyboard as the clock on my screen ticked closer to nine. The merger conference was due to start any minute, and I still had no idea what Mr. Ricci was talking about. The entire office buzzed with tension, papers rustling, footsteps echoing down the hall. Everyone seemed to know what they were doing except me.Mr. Ricci came back, this time with two other managers at his side. Their suits were crisp, their expressions impatient. He stopped right in front of my desk, his tone firm but still polite enough to sting. “Mrs. De Luca, the link—where is it?”I blinked at him, trying to look composed. “I’m sorry… what link exactly?”He frowned, exchanging a look with the man beside him. “The client access code. The one Sofia always activated before board meetings. We can’t start without it. Didn’t she tell you?”My heart pounded in my chest. I searched the computer screen as if the answer might suddenly appear there. “She didn’t—”Before I could finish, a voi
SARAHI woke up before the alarm, staring at the ceiling for a few seconds before turning toward Marco’s side of the bed. He wasn’t there, but I could hear the faint sound of hangers moving in the closet. My stomach tightened, part nerves, part excitement. My first official week as his secretary.I got up, pulling the sheets together before walking into the closet. He was already half dressed, buttoning his shirt, his watch glinting under the light. For a moment, I just stood there, watching him. Calm, controlled, sharp. The man who made half the city bow when he walked in.He noticed me in the mirror. “Morning,” he said, his voice low.“Morning.” I smiled, stepping closer. “You’re dressed already?”“I have an early call.” He turned, picking a tie from the rack. “You should get ready too. I want us to leave together.”I took the tie from his hand, brushing my thumb over the silk. “You look like you own the world.”His mouth curved. “I do. Now you’re part of it.”I laughed softly, fixi