Dangerous jealousy
896 Words
The first thing Naomi Blake noticed Monday morning was the flowers.
A massive bouquet of white roses sat on the reception desk of Sinclair Group, elegant enough to look expensive and dramatic enough to attract everyone’s attention.
Employees whispered excitedly as they walked past.
Naomi barely glanced at them while heading toward the elevators.
Until she heard the receptionist speak.
“She’s back?”
Naomi slowed slightly.
Another employee nodded eagerly. “Apparently she arrived this morning.”
“Mr. Sinclair’s ex?”
Naomi’s stomach tightened instantly.
Oh.
Wonderful.
By the time Naomi reached the executive floor, the atmosphere already felt strange.
Tense.
Almost nervous.
People kept fixing their appearance and whispering under their breath while pretending to work.
Naomi frowned. “Did a celebrity walk in or something?”
A nearby assistant looked up dramatically. “Worse.”
Before Naomi could ask another question, the elevator doors opened behind her.
Silence spread across the floor immediately.
Every head turned.
And then Naomi understood why.
Vanessa Cole stepped out of the elevator looking like she belonged on the cover of a luxury magazine.
Tall heels.
Perfect makeup.
Black designer dress.
Confidence sharp enough to cut glass.
She removed her sunglasses slowly while scanning the office with calm amusement.
Then her eyes landed directly on Naomi.
A slow smile appeared on Vanessa’s lips.
Not friendly.
Not warm.
Dangerous.
Naomi instinctively straightened.
Vanessa walked toward her gracefully. “You must be the new assistant.”
Naomi forced professionalism into her voice. “Naomi Blake.”
“Vanessa Cole.”
Naomi already knew that.
Unfortunately.
Vanessa’s gaze moved carefully over her face, studying her in a way that made Naomi uncomfortable instantly.
“You’re prettier than I expected,” Vanessa said casually.
Naomi blinked. “…Thank you?”
“It wasn’t entirely a compliment.”
Great.
This woman and Vivian would get along perfectly.
Before Naomi could respond, Ethan’s office door suddenly opened.
Ethan Sinclair stepped out holding a file, but the second he saw Vanessa, his expression darkened slightly.
Interesting.
Vanessa smiled brightly. “Miss me?”
Ethan looked completely unimpressed. “What are you doing here?”
“Ouch.” Vanessa placed one hand dramatically over her chest. “And here I thought you’d be happy to see me.”
“You thought wrong.”
Naomi tried very hard not to react.
Their energy together felt sharp and complicated, like unfinished arguments wrapped in expensive clothing.
Vanessa walked closer to Ethan confidently. “You ignored my calls.”
“I was busy.”
“You’re always busy.”
“And yet you still came.”
The tension between them was intense.
But strangely…
Not romantic.
More like two people who knew each other too well.
Vanessa finally glanced toward Naomi again.
And this time, the look in her eyes carried clear curiosity.
Dangerous curiosity.
“You never mentioned your assistant was beautiful,” Vanessa said smoothly.
Ethan’s expression became unreadable immediately.
Naomi wished the floor would open and swallow her alive.
“Vanessa,” Ethan said coldly, “don’t start.”
Start what?
Naomi suddenly wanted details immediately.
Vanessa only smiled knowingly before stepping back. “Relax. I’m just observing.”
“That’s usually when problems begin.”
Naomi almost laughed.
Almost.
The rest of the morning became emotionally exhausting.
Vanessa stayed in Ethan’s office for nearly two hours while Naomi attempted to focus on work instead of overthinking everything.
Which was impossible.
Every time the office door opened, Naomi accidentally looked up.
Every single time.
Pathetic.
“You know staring at the boss’s office isn’t subtle, right?”
Naomi nearly jumped out of her chair.
Vivian Reed stood beside her holding coffee.
“I wasn’t staring.”
Vivian looked unconvinced. “Sure.”
Naomi sighed quietly. “Who exactly is Vanessa?”
Vivian hesitated briefly before answering.
“She and Ethan dated years ago.”
The uncomfortable feeling in Naomi’s chest tightened slightly.
“Serious relationship?”
“Yes.”
That single word bothered her more than expected.
Vivian studied Naomi carefully before adding, “But whatever existed between them ended badly.”
Naomi looked toward Ethan’s office again despite herself.
“Does he still love her?”
Vivian raised an eyebrow. “Why? Would that disappoint you?”
Naomi immediately looked away. “No.”
Another terrible lie.
Around lunchtime, Ethan finally emerged from his office again.
Vanessa walked beside him effortlessly, one hand lightly touching his arm while speaking.
Naomi hated how irrationally annoyed she felt seeing it.
This was ridiculous.
Ethan wasn’t hers.
Nothing was happening between them.
Nothing could happen between them.
So why did Vanessa’s presence feel like a threat?
As if sensing her thoughts, Ethan looked toward Naomi suddenly.
Their eyes met.
For one brief second, the noise around them disappeared again.
Then Vanessa noticed.
And smiled slowly.
Oh no.
She saw it.
Whatever invisible thing existed between Naomi and Ethan
Vanessa saw it immediately.
“Ethan,” Vanessa said sweetly, still looking directly at Naomi, “aren’t you going to introduce me properly to your assistant?”
The word properly sounded intentional somehow.
Ethan’s jaw tightened slightly before speaking.
“Vanessa, this is Naomi Blake.”
Naomi forced a polite smile. “Nice to meet you.”
Vanessa’s eyes gleamed with amusement.
“Yes,” she said softly. “I think this is going to be very interesting.”
- Writer
