Cracks In The Perfect Smile
619 Words
Monday morning began like any other at Blackwood Holdings.
Employees rushed through the lobby with coffees in hand while receptionists answered ringing phones.
Elena was organizing Adrian’s afternoon schedule when the receptionist called.
“Miss Carter?”
“Yes?”
“There’s someone here asking for you.”
“For me?”
She wasn’t expecting anyone.
As she stepped into the lobby, she immediately recognized the elegant woman waiting beside the marble staircase.
Victoria.
She wore a cream-colored dress and dark sunglasses despite being indoors.
When she noticed Elena approaching, she removed them and smiled.
“Good morning.”
Elena returned the smile politely.
“Good morning.”
“I hope I’m not interrupting your work.”
“Not at all.”
Victoria glanced around the lobby.
“Would you mind having coffee with me?”
Elena hesitated.
It felt strange.
But refusing the woman everyone believed would soon become Mrs. Blackwood seemed rude.
“Alright.”
⸻
They settled into a quiet café across the street.
For a few minutes, Victoria made pleasant conversation.
She asked about Elena’s family, where she grew up, and how she enjoyed working at Blackwood Holdings.
Then her tone changed.
“You seem close to Adrian.”
Elena nearly choked on her coffee.
“We’re simply colleagues.”
“Really?”
Victoria stirred her drink.
“He doesn’t usually trust people.”
“I’ve only tried to do my job well.”
Victoria smiled.
“I believe you.”
She leaned forward.
“But the media doesn’t.”
Elena frowned.
“What do you mean?”
Victoria removed her phone and placed it on the table.
Across the screen were photographs.
Adrian and Elena beneath one umbrella.
Adrian looking at Elena during the charity gala.
The two of them laughing outside the office.
Elena’s eyes widened.
“When were these taken?”
“People notice everything.”
Victoria’s voice remained calm.
“If these become public, they’ll say you seduced your boss for money.”
Elena stared at the pictures in disbelief.
“That’s not true.”
“I know.”
Victoria’s smile returned.
“But scandals don’t care about the truth.”
She reached across the table and gently touched Elena’s hand.
“If you truly respect Adrian…”
“You’ll keep your distance.”
Elena withdrew her hand.
“There is nothing between us.”
Victoria held her gaze.
“Good.”
“Then proving it shouldn’t be difficult.”
⸻
Back at the office, Elena returned unusually quiet.
She avoided Adrian’s office for most of the afternoon, communicating only through emails and brief messages.
Adrian noticed immediately.
When she tried to leave early, he stopped her outside the elevator.
“Elena.”
She turned.
“Yes?”
“Did I do something wrong?”
Her heart ached.
“No.”
“Then why are you avoiding me?”
She lowered her eyes.
“I’m not.”
“You haven’t looked at me once today.”
She couldn’t answer.
Everything Victoria had said echoed inside her mind.
“People will say you seduced your boss…”
“If you care about him… keep your distance.”
Adrian stepped closer.
“If someone said something to you…”
She interrupted with a weak smile.
“I’m just tired.”
He knew she was lying.
But before he could press further, the elevator doors opened.
Elena stepped inside.
“I’m sorry.”
The doors closed.
Adrian remained standing in the hallway, watching the elevator descend.
For the first time since finding Elena again…
He felt her slipping away.
Across the street, Victoria watched from inside her car.
She smiled with quiet satisfaction.
“That’s only the beginning.”
She believed she had won.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD