HR & Heartbeats
1070 Words
Elina sat on the hard plastic chair outside the HR office, her fingers clutching the fabric of her skirt so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Her heart was thudding so loud, she was certain the receptionist nearby could hear it.
9:00 a.m.
The moment the clock struck, the frosted glass door opened. A woman in a cream blazer stepped out.
“Elina Amirah?”
Elina stood, legs trembling slightly. “Yes.”
“Come in.”
Inside, the HR room was neat and clinical. There were no smiles, no warmth — just a long table, two HR officers, and a document folder already waiting for her.
She took a seat.
One officer began. “Before we proceed, we want to remind you that this session is confidential. A formal complaint has been submitted alleging inappropriate conduct between you and your superior, Mr. Adrian Khalid.”
Elina’s throat felt dry. “May I know who filed the complaint?”
“I’m afraid we can’t disclose that yet.”
Her heart sank.
Was it someone she knew? Mira? No—Mira wouldn’t. Then who?
“We’ve reviewed the situation and seen Mr. Adrian’s disclosure email. While it was transparent, there are concerns regarding whether the relationship began before the reassignment and if it has influenced your performance reviews or assignments.”
Elina shook her head. “No. We were always professional at work. He never gave me special treatment.”
The second officer leaned forward. “Even so, given your recent campaign assignment being selected for national branding, there’s concern that favoritism may be perceived.”
“But I earned that.” Her voice cracked. “I worked overtime for three weeks. The whole team saw that.”
The room was silent for a beat.
Finally, the officer sighed and passed her a form. “We just need your official statement. Be honest and write down everything — when the relationship began, whether any work dynamics were affected, and if you feel pressured in any way.”
Elina took the pen.
She began writing.
And for the first time in her life, she didn’t censor herself.
Outside the HR room, Adrian waited.
The minute Elina stepped out, her eyes met his.
“No one saw me come up,” he said softly. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, even though her hands were shaking. “They said someone reported us. They didn’t say who.”
He didn’t look surprised. “I might know.”
She frowned. “Who?”
He hesitated. “I have a guess… but I’ll handle it. You’ve done nothing wrong, Elina.”
Her voice dropped to a whisper. “I’m scared.”
He reached for her hand. “You’re not alone.”
The next day, the office was buzzing.
Rumors had spread faster than fire. People glanced, whispered, some even stopped talking when Elina walked by.
At lunch, she sat in the corner of the pantry, alone. Mira was at a client site, and the silence was deafening.
Until she heard a familiar voice.
“Y’all need to stop acting like you’re perfect.”
Elina turned.
It was Faris — a motion designer from Adrian’s team — confronting a group of employees by the coffee machine.
“What they have is between them and HR. Unless you’re the one who got rejected by Adrian, maybe sit this one out.”
There was a pause. Then, awkward dispersal.
Faris walked over to Elina and sat across from her.
“Hey,” he said simply.
Elina looked at him. “Thanks.”
He shrugged. “Don’t mention it. Some people here hate seeing others happy. You’d be surprised how many of them liked Adrian.”
Her brows furrowed. “You think the complaint came from…”
“Someone bitter? Probably.”
That night, Adrian called her.
“I have to tell you something,” he said.
“Tell me.”
He sighed. “Remember Nadira?”
Elina’s chest tightened. “Your ex?”
“She still works under the same umbrella company — different division. I didn’t think much of it until I heard from HR. She’s friends with someone from our floor.”
Elina felt the pieces clicking.
“Do you think she…”
“She’s always had a way of making things messy when she’s unhappy. She doesn’t like losing control.”
Elina was quiet.
He continued, “But don’t worry. I’m meeting with the board tomorrow. I’ll make sure this ends. Properly.”
“Elina…” he paused. “Would you still stay… if I got suspended?”
She froze.
“What?”
“I mean it. If this goes badly and I get asked to take a break… would you still be with me?”
She didn’t hesitate.
“Yes. Even if you’re jobless and stuck watching Korean dramas all day, I’m staying.”
He laughed — the sound making her heart feel lighter.
“Then I can handle anything.”
Friday came with a storm — and not the romantic kind.
An emergency board meeting was called. The office buzzed with speculation. Elina stayed in her corner, pretending to work, while Adrian was nowhere to be seen.
By 5:00 p.m., an email arrived.
Subject: Leadership Temporary Adjustment
To All Staff,
Mr. Adrian Khalid has requested a two-week leave to allow HR to conduct a transparent review of recent concerns.
In his absence, project leadership will be assigned to Miss Hana Azeem.
We appreciate everyone’s patience and professionalism.
Best regards,
Corporate Communications
Elina’s heart broke.
He didn’t wait to be suspended.
He stepped back… for her.
Later that evening, a text came through.
Adrian Khalid:
Rooftop. Now?
She rushed up the building, heart pounding.
He was there — sleeves rolled up, shirt untucked, leaning against the railing as the city lights shimmered behind him.
“You’re leaving for two weeks,” she said.
“I’d rather leave than let them touch you.”
Tears welled in her eyes.
“You didn’t have to—”
“Yes, I did,” he interrupted. “Because I love you. And I won’t let anything — not work, not rumors, not the past — take this away.”
She stepped forward, tears spilling.
“I love you too.”
He pulled her into his arms, and they stood there — against the wind, the world, and every whisper that ever tried to break them.
To be continue..
- Writer
