The World Finds Out
1052 Words
Adrian’s lips were warm and desperate against hers, like the days apart had caged every emotion he now poured into this one moment. Rain trickled down his face and onto hers, but neither of them cared. Time had waited long enough. Their hearts had been patient for too long.
When he finally pulled back, both of them breathless and trembling, Elina rested her forehead against his chest, trying to steady the storm inside her.
“You came,” she whispered.
“I’d come a thousand times if it meant holding you again.”
She smiled into his soaked shirt, tears mixing with the rain.
They didn’t speak much that night. They didn’t need to. He stayed. They sat on the floor of her small apartment, wrapped in a blanket, eating leftover maggi and whispering small things between the silences.
And in that quiet intimacy, Elina realized something: she wasn’t afraid anymore.
By Monday morning, the illusion was gone.
They had stepped back into reality — deadlines, expectations, colleagues, and the ever-present threat of rumors.
Elina dressed more carefully than usual. She tied her hair back, wore light makeup, and chose a simple navy blouse tucked into a black skirt. Something about looking put together made her feel more in control.
Adrian had left early, texting her only:
Adrian Khalid:
I’ll handle the rest. Just be you.
She didn’t know what he meant—until 10 a.m.
She was at her desk when a soft ping echoed from her inbox.
Subject: Management Update – Internal Communication
Curious, she clicked it.
Dear Team,
I would like to personally inform you of a development involving myself and one of our junior staff members, Elina Amirah.
We understand that workplace relationships must be handled with utmost care, professionalism, and transparency. Effective immediately, Elina will be temporarily reporting to another supervisor while I recuse myself from all direct decision-making involving her.
All protocols are being followed, and HR is aware of the matter. I ask for your respect and professionalism moving forward.
Thank you.
Regards,
Adrian Khalid
Head of Creative Strategy
Her heart stopped.
He really did it.
He told everyone.
Mira looked up from across the desk, eyes wide. “Elina… is this real?”
Elina’s hands trembled slightly. “Yeah. It’s real.”
And suddenly, the office was no longer filled with the usual tension — it was filled with whispers.
She kept her head down, but she could feel it. The stares. The not-so-subtle glances. A few colleagues were supportive—offering tight-lipped smiles or a quick thumbs-up. Others looked… disappointed. Or worse—jealous.
Still, she didn’t regret it.
At lunch, she hid in the rooftop garden, headphones in but no music playing. Just space. Space to breathe.
Until she heard footsteps.
She turned.
Mira stood there with a small lunchbox. “I figured you’d be hiding here.”
Elina sighed, removing one earbud. “Too obvious?”
“Girl, the whole building’s talking. But screw them. You two didn’t even do anything wrong.”
Elina blinked at her. “You think so?”
“Of course. You both followed protocol. He stepped down from supervising you. That’s more than most people would do. Honestly? It’s kinda romantic.”
Elina laughed softly. “It’s terrifying.”
Mira sat beside her, offering the lunchbox. “That’s what love is sometimes. But you’ve got a guy who just risked his entire reputation to be with you. That’s not something you throw away.”
She took a bite of the nasi goreng Mira had brought. “Thanks. For this. And for understanding.”
“Anytime. But if he breaks your heart, I’ll personally delete his portfolio from the server.”
Elina grinned. “Deal.”
Adrian waited for her outside the building after work.
The moment she saw him leaning against his sleek black car, tie loosened and sleeves rolled up, her heart betrayed her all over again.
“You really told everyone,” she said as she approached.
“I told the truth,” he said simply.
“You do know some people are furious, right?”
“I’ve dealt with worse than furious.” He opened the door for her. “Let them be mad. As long as you’re safe, I can handle it.”
She slid into the car, her heart swelling.
As he drove, silence stretched between them. Not uncomfortable—just full.
“I didn’t want to hide anymore,” he said quietly.
She turned to him. “I didn’t want to be a secret.”
“You never were. I just didn’t know how to fight for you without hurting you.”
“You figured it out.”
He glanced at her with that soft smile that made her knees weak. “Because you’re worth the fallout.”
Over the next few weeks, things slowly adjusted.
Adrian kept his word—he didn’t interfere with her work. Their meetings were strictly professional. But outside of the office, he made her feel like the only girl in the world.
Every Sunday, he cooked for her. Badly.
Every Wednesday, he left handwritten notes on her desk.
And every night, no matter how exhausted they were, they’d talk. Really talk.
About their childhoods.
Their fears.
Their dreams.
Elina found herself falling harder, deeper, into something she had once thought was impossible.
Love. Real, messy, imperfect love.
But just as things felt almost too good to be true…
A call came.
It was a Thursday evening.
Elina was cleaning up her work when her phone rang.
Unknown number.
“Hello?”
“Elina Amirah?”
“Yes?”
“This is Puan Hanani from HR. Can you come to Level 15 tomorrow morning at 9 a.m.? There’s been a formal complaint filed regarding your relationship with Mr. Adrian Khalid. We’d like to speak with you.”
Her stomach dropped.
“Wh…what kind of complaint?”
“I can’t disclose that over the phone, but please be on time. Thank you.”
The line cut.
Her hands shook.
She turned slowly—and there he was.
Adrian, standing by her cubicle, concern already etched on his face.
“You okay?”
She looked at him. “They want to see me tomorrow. HR.”
His jaw tightened. “I’ll be there.”
To be continue..
- Writer
