Chapter6
1213 Words
A Coworker at Emma’s Office Tries to Stir Drama About Her Past Relationship
Monday morning dawned gray and drizzly as Emma pushed her way through the revolving
doors of Lakeside Advertising. The hum of chatter and the click of keyboards welcomed her to
another hectic week. Clutching her travel mug, Emma weaved through the rows of desks toward
her cubicle, her thoughts scattered between the weekend’s party planning and the unexpected
tension of having Benjamin reenter her life.
As she slipped into her chair, Samantha Skye, her coworker and self-appointed office gossip,
appeared at the edge of her cubicle, wearing her signature sly grin.
"Morning, Emma,
"
Samantha said, her tone saccharine sweet but her eyes glinting with mischief.
"Good morning,
" Emma replied without looking up, focusing instead on her computer screen as
she booted it up.
Samantha perched herself on the edge of Emma’s desk, unabashedly invading her space.
"Big
plans this weekend? Or were you spending time with your ex-husband again?"
Emma stiffened, the question like a slap in the face. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard as
she took a measured breath, refusing to rise to the bait.
"My weekend was fine, thanks for
asking,
" she said flatly.
But Samantha wasn’t deterred.
"Oh, come on,
" she pressed, lowering her voice conspiratorially.
"Word is you two were seen together at the park last week. Is Madison’s birthday coming up?
Planning a little family reunion?"
Emma turned to face her, her patience wearing thin.
"Is there a reason you’re here, Samantha?
Or are you just looking for your daily dose of drama?"
Samantha gave a mock gasp, placing a hand on her chest.
"Me? Drama? I’m just concerned,
Emma. You’ve been through so much, and I’d hate to see you backtrack by letting Benjamin
worm his way in again.
"
Emma clenched her teeth, gripping her mug tightly.
"Thanks for your concern, but I’m fine. Now,
if you don’t mind, I have work to do.
"
Samantha leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a whisper.
"You know, people are talking.
They wonder why you’d even consider giving him the time of day after everything he did. I
mean, the man cheated on you.
"
Emma’s face burned as anger bubbled beneath the surface.
"What Benjamin and I do—or don’t
do—is none of your business, Samantha.
"
Samantha shrugged, sliding off the desk with an exaggerated sigh.
"If you say so. But you know
how these things look. Just… be careful. Reputations are hard to rebuild.
" With that, she
sauntered off, her heels clicking against the tile floor.
Emma stared after her, fury and embarrassment simmering in her chest. She hated how
Samantha always managed to hit a nerve, twisting facts into weapons.
The morning passed in a blur of meetings and deadlines. By lunchtime, Emma’s mood had
soured, and she considered skipping the break altogether to avoid another confrontation with
Samantha. But as the clock struck noon, Oliver Lake, her cheerful coworker and closest friend
in the office, appeared with a takeout bag and a hopeful smile.
"Hey, I figured you could use some lunch,
" Oliver said, holding up the bag.
"I got Thai. Your
favorite.
"
Emma sighed and nodded, her irritation easing slightly.
"Thanks, Oliver. You’re a lifesaver.
"
They made their way to the break room, where Oliver unpacked the food and handed Emma a
container of pad thai. As they ate, he studied her carefully.
"So,
" he said between bites,
"what’s
up? You’ve got that ‘I’m going to strangle someone’ look on your face.
"
Emma let out a frustrated laugh.
"Samantha, what’s up? She’s been sticking her nose where it
doesn’t belong again.
"
"Ah,
" Oliver said knowingly.
"Let me guess—something about Benjamin?"
Emma nodded, pushing her food around with her fork.
"She keeps implying that I’m making
some huge mistake by letting him be part of Madison’s birthday. It’s infuriating.
"
Oliver frowned.
"You don’t owe anyone an explanation, least of all her. If Madison wants her dad
there, that’s your business, not hers.
"
"Tell that to Samantha,
" Emma muttered.
"She seems to think she’s the authority on my life.
"
Oliver grinned, leaning back in his chair.
"Want me to spill coffee on her? ‘Accidentally,
’ of
course.
"
Emma couldn’t help but laugh.
"Tempting, but no. Thanks, though.
"
By mid-afternoon, Emma was finally starting to regain her focus when an email from her boss,
Alexander Kowalski, landed in her inbox. Subject line: Meeting – Urgent.
She quickly gathered her notes and made her way to his office, her stomach twisting with
anxiety. Alexander was a fair but no-nonsense manager, and urgent meetings were never a
good sign.
"Emma,
" Alexander said as she stepped into his office, gesturing for her to sit.
"Close the door,
would you?"
Her anxiety deepened as she obeyed.
"Is everything alright?" she asked hesitantly.
Alexander sighed, removing his glasses and rubbing his temples.
"Look, I want to preface this
by saying you’re one of our strongest employees. But I’ve been hearing some… rumblings
around the office.
"
Emma’s heart sank.
"Rumblings?"
"About your personal life,
" Alexander said bluntly.
"Specifically, people questioning your
judgment when it comes to your ex-husband. Normally, I wouldn’t even acknowledge this kind of
gossip, but it’s starting to affect the office atmosphere. I wanted to give you a heads-up.
"
Emma’s cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and anger.
"I appreciate you telling me,
"
she said carefully,
"but my personal life has no bearing on my work.
"
"Agreed,
" Alexander said firmly.
"And I’ve made it clear that I won’t tolerate any unprofessional
behavior. But, Emma, I’d advise you to be cautious. People talk, and sometimes it’s easier to
avoid giving them fuel.
"
She nodded, her throat tight.
"Understood. Thank you.
"
As she left Alexander’s office, Emma felt a heavy weight settle on her shoulders. Samantha’s
meddling had officially crossed a line, and now it wasn’t just her feelings at stake—it was her
professional reputation.
That evening, as she walked through the door of her apartment, Madison ran to greet her,
throwing her arms around her waist.
"Mom! Look at this!" she said, thrusting a sheet of paper
into Emma’s hands.
It was a list, written in Madison’s neat, looping handwriting: Party Games, Food Ideas, Dad’s
Favorite Cake.
Emma’s heart squeezed. Her daughter’s excitement was contagious, but it also amplified the
pressure Emma felt to make the day perfect—despite everything.
"Looks great, sweetheart,
" Emma said, forcing a smile.
As Madison returned to her coloring, Emma sank onto the couch, staring at the list. She thought
about Samantha, Alexander, and the mess of feelings Benjamin’s reappearance had stirred. For
the first time in a long while, she felt overwhelmed, torn between doing what was best for
Madison and protecting herself.
But one thing was clear: no matter what anyone said or thought, she was determined to give her
daughter the birthday she deserved—even if it meant facing Samantha’s judgment or
Alexander’s cautionary advice.
Because, at the end of the day, Emma’s loyalty was to Madison. And no amount of office gossip
could change that.
- Writer
