EXECUTIVE AFFAIRS

Episode3

A LINE CROSSED

Ruby arrived at the office early. Her heart was steady but full of anticipation. Her determination strengthened overnight—she would prove her worth in this new world. Even if there are obstacles. The elevator door opened, and the city skyline greeted her, bathing the floors of Thompson Industries in the golden morning light.

Her desk was full of memos, which were evidence of the day ahead. As Ruby took care of them, Alex arrived. His commanding presence filled the room. Despite his usual impeccable attire, there was a strange tightness in his jaw.

Ruby greeted him. "Good morning, Mr. Thompson," and gave him his daily agenda.

He just nodded and paused, "Ruby, in my office. Right now."

The sharp command made her pulse race. She followed him inside, where the large windows made the bustling city seem insignificant.

“Close the door,” Alex said. He leaned on the table, arms crossed, his sharp gaze fixed on her. “Do you know who Vicky Lee is?”

Ruby hesitated, "Your ex."

Alex's eyebrows rose in slight surprise. “Simple, beautiful. Yes, she's my ex—and it's complicated. I want you to keep a close eye on her movements if she returns here. Report to me directly.”

Ruby frowned. “Is she a threat to the company?”

Alex's lips tightened. “She is unpredictable. That is all you need to know right now.”

The conversation made Ruby feel uncomfortable. But she nodded. "Understood.

****

At noon, Ruby was buried in office work when the peace was shattered by Vicky's arrival. She entered the office with an authoritative expression. Her designer heels bounced off the marble floor.

“Ruby,” Vicky said, her voice sweet, “Be nice and tell Alex I'm here.”

Ruby met her eyes evenly, “Mr. Thompson is in a meeting. I will let him know as soon as he is available.”

Vicky's smile didn't reach her eyes. “Do that,” she said.

As soon as Vicky was out of earshot, Ruby then picked up the phone and called Alex. "She's here," Ruby said softly.

A moment later, Alex came out of his office. His expression was unreadable. He and Vicky disappeared into the conference room, leaving Ruby to guess about the nature of their conversation. When they appeared again, Vicky's confident face had disappeared, her eyes glowed with something akin to anger.

****

That evening, as Ruby prepared to leave. Alex stopped at her table. “One word,” he said.

He shut the door behind her as she followed him into his office. "Vicky isn't just my ex," he admits. "She knows things about me that can be damaging if revealed."

Ruby hesitated, "Why are you telling me?"

“Because you have to understand the stakes,” Alex said in a soft voice. “If you will work for me, loyalty is non-negotiable.”

Ruby's chest tightened. “I have been honest since day one, Mr. Thompson. I don't intend to stop now.”

His expression softened for a moment, and Ruby saw the man behind the corporate facade. "Great," he replied, "Because we're just getting started."

That night, Ruby left the office with a mix of determination and trepidation. Shadows of Alex's past began to appear, and now she was entangled in his world.

As Ruby made her way home through the city streets, she came to the realization that she was determined to uncover any secrets Alex could be keeping—not only for him, but also for herself.

****

Ruby stood in front of the mirror the following morning, rearranging her robe while Alex's remarks from the previous evening replayed in her head. Loyalty cannot be compromised. She thought her job was just to schedule meetings and organize emails. But right now it felt like she was being thrown into a game of chess, with every piece contradicting her...

There was a noticeable tension in the air when she entered the office. Hannah, the office assistant, gave Ruby a look she couldn't explain. The entire office whispered as if following her like a shadow.

“Ruby,” Hannah said, stopping her at the table. “He was called into the emergency conference room for a meeting. It is… not normal.”

Ruby frowned but nodded. She gathered her notebook and stepped into the glass-walled conference room. The room was full of important executives. Everyone sat in tense silence. Alex sat at the head of the table. His sharp blue eyes scanned the room.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, his voice soft. “We have a problem. An internal document detailing our next merger was leaked last night. If the media picks it up, our entire strategy is at risk.”

Ruby was shocked. A leak? It's not a coincidence at all. She thought of Vicky, her cold smile, as Alex warned her.

“This is unacceptable,” Alex continued in a sharp tone. “Those responsible will be found and dealt with strictly.” His eyes fell on Ruby for a brief moment before lingering further.

****

By noon, Ruby's mind was racing. Could Alex suspect her? Her hands were shaking as she typed an email. She had never seen a merger document before, but the weight of the suspicion was choking.

That's when she noticed an email in the drafts' folder. It was an email she hadn't written. Opening it, Ruby's blood ran cold. It was addressed to an important journalist and had a file attached, labeled “Thompson_Merger_Plan”. Someone was framing her.

Ruby immediately printed the email and walked into Alex's office, her heart pounding. He looked up from the table, his expression was unreadable.

“Ruby,” he said, “Is this about the leak?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said, slamming the printout onto his desk. “But not in the way you think. I didn't do this.”

Alex's eyes scanned the document before falling on her. “This was in your account.”

"I know," Ruby said, her voice rising. “Someone planted it there. I don't know who, but you have to believe me.”

Alex didn't say anything for a moment, his eyes boring into her. Then he snapped his fingers while leaning back in his chair. "We have a serious issue if what you said is true."

Determined to prove her innocence, Ruby began her investigation. Late that night, when most of the office was cleared, she accessed the email server logs with help from the IT department. As she searched through the data, a name appeared. It was a name she hadn't expected.

Hannah.

Ruby's chest tightened. Why would the office assistant sabotage her?

The sound of footsteps made her heart skip a beat before she could even process the betrayal. She turned to see Alex standing behind her. His expression was cold.

“Explain,” he demanded.

Ruby showed him the logs. “It was Hannah,” she said in a slight whisper. “She sent the email from my account.”

Alex studied the screen, his jaw tightened. “Leave this to me,” he said finally. “And don't tell anyone what you found.”

****

The next day, Hannah was gone. No explanation, no farewell.

But Ruby's relief was short-lived. That afternoon, a manila envelope appeared on her desk. Inside was a photograph of her past life—grainy but not unmistakable. The nights spent dancing in underground clubs, her face was lit up in glittering neon lights.

Her chest tightened as she scanned the message that came with them: “Be careful, Ruby. Everyone has a secret. Don't let yours get out.”

Ruby grabbed the photo in her hand, anger and fear welled up within her. Who did this? And how much do they know?

The answer came faster than she expected. That evening, Alex called her into his office. He handed her a picture from an envelope, his face unreadable as the curtains were drawn. In a quiet voice, he inquired, "Would you like to explain this?"

Ruby looked into his eyes, her hands shaking. “I don't know who sent this. But it is not what it seems.”

Alex leaned forward, his blue eyes searching hers. So tell me, what it is?

Ruby hesitated, the weight of her past pressing down on her. “I… I was desperate. I needed money to survive. And dancing was my way out, but I gave up on that life.”

Ruby, “You believe me?” she asked.

Alex's lips twitched into a faint smile. “You're not exactly a criminal mastermind, Ruby, but you're resourceful. I need someone like you by my side.”

****

That night, as Ruby left the office.

She said,. I doubt if this man believed all I said.

Well that's his business.....

And Ruby was determined to win.