CHAPTER 10: MISSING HIM
1266 Words
The next morning, Debbie woke up feeling exhausted, her mind heavy from the events of the previous day. She had barely slept, haunted by Annie’s warning and Walter’s indifference. But she knew she had to push through. She had a job to do, and if there was one thing she refused to do, it was to let her emotions get in the way of her success.
As she stepped into the office building, she could already feel the weight of the stares. The whispers that had followed her on her first day were still there, but today, they seemed louder.
“She’s the one.”
“Did you see the way she looked at Mr. Adams yesterday?”
“She probably thought she had a chance.”
Debbie ignored them, keeping her head high as she walked straight to her desk. But just as she was about to sit, a message popped up on her screen.
Walter Adams: My office. Now.
Her heart skipped a beat. What did he want? Was he going to fire her? Was he going to confront her about Annie?
Taking a deep breath, she stood up and made her way to his office. As she entered, she found him sitting behind his large, intimidating desk, his fingers tapping against the surface. His gaze was unreadable, but there was something about the way he looked at her that made her stomach twist.
“Close the door,” Walter said, his voice firm.
Debbie did as he said, then stood in front of him, trying to mask her nervousness.
“You’ve been avoiding me,” Walter stated, leaning back in his chair.
Debbie swallowed hard. “I’ve just been focusing on my work.”
Walter smirked, but there was no humor in his expression. “That’s interesting. Because yesterday, you couldn’t stop looking at me. And now, you won’t even meet my eyes.”
Debbie felt heat rise to her face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said quickly.
Walter stood up, walking around his desk until he was standing right in front of her. He was too close, his presence overwhelming.
“You think I didn’t notice?” he murmured. “The way you looked at me? The way you reacted when Annie kissed me?”
Debbie’s breath hitched. “That’s none of my business,” she forced herself to say.
Walter chuckled, his eyes darkening. “Really? Then why did you look like your world was falling apart?”
Debbie clenched her fists. She refused to let him see how much he had affected her. “Because I was stupid enough to think you were different,” she admitted. “I thought maybe… maybe I meant something to you.”
For the first time, Walter’s smirk faltered.
Debbie shook her head. “But I get it now. I was just another distraction for you, right? A game to play?”
Walter was silent for a moment before he spoke. “Annie and I… we’ve been together for years. But that doesn’t mean you’re just a game to me, Debbie.”
She let out a bitter laugh. “Then what am I, Walter?”
He didn’t answer.
And that silence was all the confirmation she needed.
With a nod, she turned toward the door. “Thank you for making things clear,” she said before walking out, leaving Walter standing alone in his office.
—
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Debbie buried herself in work, refusing to think about Walter or Annie. But as much as she tried to ignore it, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she had made a terrible mistake by letting herself fall for him.
By the time work ended, she was exhausted. She packed her things quickly, eager to leave, but just as she was about to step out of the office, she saw Annie standing near the entrance, talking to someone.
Their eyes met.
Annie smirked.
Debbie didn’t wait for whatever cruel words she might have to say. She turned and walked out of the building, letting the cool London air hit her face as she tried to breathe.
She needed to be strong. She needed to forget about Walter Adams.
But deep down, she knew it wasn’t going to be that easy.
Debbie thought distancing herself from Walter would make things easier, but it only made the tension between them worse.
The following days were unbearable. Every time she entered a room, she could feel Walter’s eyes on her. Every meeting, every interaction—they were filled with unspoken words, heavy silences, and a burning intensity that made her heart pound.
She hated that she still wanted him.
She hated that she couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened between them.
And she hated that Annie’s words haunted her every night.
“We’ve been together for seven years. We’re getting married soon.”
Debbie reminded herself of that over and over again.
She had to move on.
—
One evening, after a long day at work, Debbie decided to take a walk before heading home. She needed fresh air, a distraction—anything to clear her head.
She found herself at a quiet park, the streetlights casting a soft glow over the empty benches and pathways. She was about to sit down when a familiar voice made her freeze.
“I was wondering how long you were going to avoid me.”
Her heart skipped.
Slowly, she turned around—and there he was.
Walter Adams, standing just a few feet away, his suit jacket undone, his tie slightly loosened, as if he had come straight from work.
Debbie crossed her arms. “I wasn’t avoiding you.”
Walter let out a short laugh, stepping closer. “Really? Then why do you act like you don’t see me at the office? Why do you leave before I can even say a word to you?”
“Because there’s nothing to say,” she said firmly. “You have a fiancée, Walter. This—whatever this is—needs to stop.”
Walter’s expression darkened. “You think I don’t know that?” he muttered. “You think I don’t fight myself every damn day?”
Debbie felt her pulse quicken. “Then why are you here?”
Walter exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “Because I can’t stay away from you.”
Her breath hitched.
“I’ve tried,” he continued, stepping even closer. “God knows I’ve tried. But I can’t get you out of my head, Debbie.”
She shook her head, trying to ignore the way her heart was racing. “Walter, please don’t do this—”
He cut her off by reaching out, his fingers gently grazing her cheek. “Tell me you don’t feel the same way,” he whispered.
Debbie swallowed hard.
This was dangerous.
This was wrong.
But damn it… she did feel the same way.
She closed her eyes, inhaling sharply. “It doesn’t matter how I feel,” she whispered. “You belong to someone else.”
Walter’s jaw clenched. “I’ve never belonged to anyone.”
Debbie forced herself to step back, breaking his touch. “Then maybe it’s time you figure out what you really want, Walter. Because I won’t be your secret.”
Walter’s eyes darkened, but he said nothing.
With that, Debbie turned and walked away, leaving him standing there in the cold night.
She didn’t dare look back.
Because if she did, she knew she wouldn’t be able to leave.
- Writer
