One Step Away from the Truth

Chloe went to work the next day.

Something had happened on the way back with Adrian. A ball had struck her in the face, leaving a bruise. She had tried everything she could think of to cover it up. She also had another reason to hide it: she couldn't let Adrian discover who she really was.

She arrived with only a few minutes left before the usual morning check, so she hurried toward the elevator with a patch covering one eye. She had just reached out to press the button when Adrian stepped into the same elevator.

Chloe froze. In her shock, she let go of the patch, revealing the bruise beneath it.

Adrian had seen it. Her secret was out.

She quickly pressed the button and fled the elevator at the first opportunity. Adrian stood there, watching her leave. The bruise and the sudden way she had bolted only made him more suspicious.

He walked straight to his office, his mind racing with thoughts he couldn't shake. Had he really gone on a date with one of his own employees?

He paced around the office, trying to make sense of everything. He slammed his hand against the table, almost as if he needed to convince himself that he wasn't dreaming.

"Chloe. Stephanie," he muttered, repeating the names. "This is not right. She is my employee, in my company. She played me."

He needed the truth, and suddenly, a plan came to mind. He pulled out his phone and typed a message to Chloe.

Let's meet near your workplace for lunch.

In the department office, Chloe's phone lit up with a notification. It was from Adrian. She read the message, and her stomach dropped.

"Near my workplace?" she said aloud, her voice rising in panic.

She quickly pulled out her makeup kit and began applying her makeup, doing everything she could to conceal her identity.

Adrian was already seated at the café, his hands folded together on the table.

What changes if I meet her in person? he wondered.

A few minutes later, the café door opened. Chloe walked in, made up to look exactly like her false identity. She was Stephanie.

Adrian was stunned, but he still didn't want to believe that Stephanie and Chloe were the same woman.

"I'm sorry I'm late," Chloe said as she made her way to her seat. "I had to go all the way to California for a business meeting."

Adrian said nothing. He only smiled.

"You work at a small company, right?" he asked, taking a sip of his coffee. "What kind of company is it?"

"What?" The sudden question caught her off guard. "We... we produce all types of household goods," Chloe replied.

"What do you mean by 'all types of household goods'?"

"Well..." Chloe's mind raced. "Like coffee mugs," she answered.

Adrian continued questioning her. One unexpected question followed another, each one designed to test her and find out whether the woman sitting before him was the person he suspected.

At last, Chloe pushed back. "You could have asked all this on the phone. You hate wasting your time."

"I do," Adrian replied. "Shall we go, then?"

He stood up and left the café.