Office Gossip

By eight-thirty that morning, the atmosphere at the company felt strangely different. Ann noticed it the moment she stepped through the glass doors. People were talking. Not about work. Not about the new project everyone had been preparing for.

They were talking about something else. Something that seemed to stop whenever she came close.

Two women standing near the reception desk immediately lowered their voices when they saw her. A man who had been laughing with his colleague suddenly cleared his throat and walked away.

Ann frowned. She tightened her grip around her handbag and continued toward her office hoping what was happening wasn't because of her.

"Good morning, ma'am," her secretary greeted her.

"Good morning."

Ann placed her handbag on her desk. She looked at her secretary. "Is there something going on?"

The woman hesitated. "No, ma'am."

Ann studied her not sure of her answer. "You're sure?"

"Yes."

Ann nodded slowly. She wasn't convinced. She sat down and opened the first file on her desk, but she couldn't concentrate. Something was wrong. She could feel it.

A few minutes later, her secretary entered with some documents. "Ma'am, these are the reports you requested."

"Thank you." Ann nodded and extended her hand to take it from her.

The woman turned to leave, then stopped. "Ma'am?"

Ann looked up. "Yes?"

"There's something I think you should know.”

Ann's expression changed. "What?"

The secretary lowered her voice. "There are rumors going around."

Ann inquired, curious. "About what?"

"About Mr. Daniel."

Ann's heart skipped. "What about him?"

The woman hesitated. "People are saying he has another woman."

Ann stared at her in disbelief. Another woman? The word rang in her ears like a doorbell. For a moment, the office seemed completely silent. "Another woman?" She let out..

"Yes."

"Who?" Ann requested not believing her ears.

"Olivia."

Ann slowly leaned back in her chair. She already knew. She knew Olivia was Daniel's ex. She knew Olivia was staying in her house. But hearing that the entire company was discussing it made the situation suddenly feel much more real.

Her secretary continued. "Some people are saying she's not just an old friend."

Ann forced a small smile, trying not to conclude things since she already knew the relationship between Daniel and Olivia. Talking it offensive would only make things worst. "People will always talk."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Don't pay attention to them." She added.

"I won't." Her secretary said and turned to take her leave but Ann stopped her.

"And please don't repeat the rumors." Ann warned.

"Of course.” Then, her secretary took her leave.

Ann stared at the documents in front of her. She couldn't read a single word. Her mind had already returned to the previous morning.

Olivia sitting in Daniel's seat. Olivia preparing his breakfast. Olivia knowing exactly how he liked his eggs. Olivia speaking about their past as though she wanted Ann to remember that she had once occupied the place Ann held now.

---

By lunchtime, the rumors had spread even further. In the company cafeteria, several employees sat together, speaking in hushed voices.

"I heard she's Daniel's ex."

"Really?"

"Yes. They were together before he married Ann."

"Then why is she living in his house?"

"Maybe they're getting back together."

Someone laughed. "Maybe the marriage is already over."

Another woman shook her head. "I heard Ann has become difficult."

"Difficult?"

"Yes. Apparently, she argues with him all the time."

"Then I don't blame him."

"I heard Olivia is much calmer."

"She certainly looks elegant."

"Maybe Daniel wants a woman like that now."

The conversation continued. None of them noticed Ann standing a few feet away. She had come to get water. Every word reached her ears. Her fingers tightened around the bottle in her hand. Ann has become difficult. Maybe the marriage is already over. Daniel wants a woman like that now.

She felt something crack inside her. For a moment, she wanted to walk over and defend herself. She wanted to tell them that they didn't know anything. They didn't know how many nights she had stayed awake with her son. They didn't know how many mornings she had gone to work exhausted. They didn't know how many household responsibilities she carried. They didn't know about the pregnancy. They didn't know how hard she had tried to keep everyone happy.

Instead, Ann quietly turned around. She returned to her office. Once the door closed, she placed the bottle on her desk and sat down.

Her eyes burned. "No." She shook her head. "I'm not going to cry."

But tears came anyway. She wiped them away quickly. She hated that she was allowing strangers to hurt her. Yet the worst part was that some of their words echoed thoughts she had already had herself.

Maybe Daniel really was tired of her. Maybe Olivia really was everything he wanted. Maybe the woman Daniel had loved before was returning to claim him.

Ann looked down at her stomach. Then she remembered her son. Her expression softened.. "No matter what happens," she whispered, "I have to protect you both." She took a deep breath and forced herself back to work.

---

Across the building, Daniel was dealing with the same rumor. His assistant entered his office.

"Sir, may I speak with you?"

Daniel looked up from his laptop. "Go ahead."

"There are rumors circulating about you and Olivia."

Daniel's face hardened. "What rumors?"

"People believe you're having an affair with her."

Daniel leaned back. "Who started this?"

"We don't know."

"Find out."

"Yes, sir."

The assistant hesitated. "There's one more thing."

"What?" He inquired already getting pissed.

"They're also talking about your marriage."

Daniel's expression changed. "What are they saying?"

"That you and Ann are having problems."

Daniel looked away. That wasn't news. Their marriage had been strained for months. But hearing that people were discussing it made him uncomfortable.

"Is Ann aware?"

The assistant nodded. "Probably."

Daniel dismissed him. The moment the door closed, he picked up his phone and called Olivia.

She answered almost immediately. "Hello?"

He hesitated. "Have you heard the rumors?"

"What rumors?"

"About us."

There was a brief pause. Then Olivia laughed softly. "People talk, Daniel."

"This isn't funny."

"Why are you so worried?"

"Because Ann works here."

Olivia's voice became calm. "Then perhaps you shouldn't have brought me into your house."

Daniel frowned. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing."

"Olivia."

"Relax. The rumors will disappear."

She ended the call. Daniel stared at his phone. Something about her response unsettled him. She didn't sound surprised. She sounded almost satisfied.

---

That evening, Ann remained at the office long after most employees had gone home. She wasn't working because she had to. She simply didn't want to return to the house. Home no longer felt like the place where she could breathe.

But, there was nothing she could do. She has to be home. For children at most. When she finally gathered her things, she found Daniel standing outside her office.

"You haven't gone home."

Ann looked at him. "I had work."

Daniel stepped inside. "I heard about the rumors."

"So did I."

"Don't listen to them."

Ann gave a tired smile. "That's easy for you to say."

Daniel frowned. "What does that mean?"

She hesitated. Then she asked quietly, "Are you and Olivia together?"

"No."

His answer was immediate. Ann searched his face.

"Then why is she staying in our house?"

Daniel sighed. "I've already explained."

"You explained why you brought her."

Ann's voice remained calm. "You never explained why she needs to stay."

"Because I made the decision."

Ann nodded. "Of course." She picked up her handbag. "Let's go home."

Daniel watched her walk past him. He followed silently. Neither spoke during the drive.

When they arrived, Olivia was sitting comfortably in the living room. She immediately smiled at Daniel. "You're back."

Then she looked at Ann. "Welcome home."

Ann forced a polite smile. "Thank you." She walked upstairs without another word.

Daniel's eyes followed her. For the first time, he wondered whether his plan had gone too far. He had wanted to teach Ann a lesson. He had wanted her to realize that her behavior could push him away. But now everyone was talking.

And worse...

Ann wasn't fighting anymore. She was becoming quiet.