The Stolen One Night Stand

CHAPTER FIVE: THE BETRAYAL

Olive, how can you be late on your first day as the new secretary?”.

Maria’s voice cut through the floor the moment I stepped out of the elevator.

I stopped.

Not because she startled me.

But because I already knew she was going to start something.

The entire floor was active, printers humming, footsteps everywhere, but the moment Maria walked closer, everything felt quieter.

Like the building itself was waiting for drama.

“Maria we start by 8:00 am , it's 7:50 now''. I replied coldly, glancing at my wrist watch.

“The secretary department rule is that, you arrive thirty minutes early.”

''It’s called discipline. Something new employees struggle with.”

Her voice stayed even.

“Then HR should update the contract,” I replied, placing my bag down. “Because I checked the HR schedule. My offical time is 8:10am”.

I met her eyes.

“So technically,” I added, “I’m early.”

The nearby employees exchanged glances.

Maria’s smile tightened.

“You’re very confident for a new secretary.”

“I’m just correct,” I said, and walked towards my new office.

That ended it for me.

But not for her.

I felt her stare burning into my back as she walked away.

Something about me bothered Maria.

I just didn’t know what yet.

Outside Orion corporation…….

Across the street, Ivy stood in front of a café she had been staring at for few minutes.

Orion Corporation towered above everything.

And inside it…

Olive.

Her best friend.

Her shadow.

Except today, Ivy wasn’t the shadow.

Today, she was the mistake waiting to happen.

She adjusted her dress, took a slow breath, and crossed the street.

Daniel was already waiting.

And beside him.

Ethan Dennis.

Even standing still, he looked like someone who owned the air around him.

His eyes landed on her immediately.

“You asked to meet me privately,” he said.

Ivy lowered her gaze slightly, acting shy.

“Yes, I didn’t want trouble at the office.”

The CEO didn’t respond immediately.

He was watching her too closely.

He felt something off about her but he couldn't figure it.

Somehow he believes she is the woman from that night.

“What happened that night should not have happened."he said flatly.

Ivy’s fingers tightened slightly.

Then she softened her face instantly.

“It was my fault,” she said quietly. “I shouldn’t have gone that far.

“I’m sorry.” she said as she stepped closer to him.

Ethan didn’t move.

Just watched her.

“I called you here for compensation,” he said. “Name your price.”

Ivy blinked.

For a second, something real almost showed.

Then she recovered.

“I don’t want money.”

A slight lift of his brow.

“Then what do you want?”. The CEO asked with a little bit surprised.

Ivy looked up at him slowly.

And said it.

“I want you.”

Daniel stiffened beside them.

But Ethan?

He didn’t react.

But something in his eyes darkened slightly.

He studied her longer this time.

“This will be all for now.”

His voice was calm.

Final.

Ivy didn’t step back immediately.

She tried to close the space again.

Daniel stepped in at once, blocking her gently but firmly.

Ethan turned and walked away without another word.

But Ivy stayed there—

smiling softly to herself.

Because he hadn’t said no.

Not clearly.

And that was enough.

Back at Orion corporation…..

I was buried in files when he returned.

I didn’t notice him watching me for few seconds longer than necessary.

But someone else did.

Maria.

From across the floor.

Her eyes narrowed.

Something was happening.

And that bothered her more than anything.

By evening, the building had emptied.

Only the hum of machines and the faint glow of screens kept me company.

I stretched my neck, exhaling softly.

There were too many files to handle.

I gathered my things and headed towards the empty elevator.

I stepped in, pressed the ground floor.

The doors began to close.

“Hold it.”

The voice stopped me instantly.

I pressed the button.

The doors reopened.

Ethan Dennis stepped in.

My breath stalled for half a second.

He didn’t look at me immediately.

Just walked in.

Pressed the ground floor button.

The doors closed again.

Silence.

Just the two of us.

The elevator moved.

For a moment, I thought maybe I had survive this ride peacefully.

Then, a sharp jerk.

The lights flickered.

I grabbed the railing instinctively.

“What was that?” I whispered.

No answer.

The elevator slowed.

Then it stopped completely.

Darkness swallowed the space.

My heart jumped.

“Sir?” I called out softly.

Still nothing.

Then,a faint metallic sound above us.

Like something shifting.

Ethan finally spoke.

“Don’t move.”

My chest tightened.

''Why?”

He didn't utter a word again

Suddenly ,something above us clicked again.

A deep mechanical sound.

Like it wasn’t failing.

But being controlled.

My throat went dry.

“Is this normal?” I asked quietly.

Ethan didn’t answer immediately.

Then calmly,“No.”

“This is not a system error.”

My stomach dropped.

“What do you mean?”

But before he could answer,the elevator dropped slightly.

Just a fraction.

Enough to make my knees weaken.

I grabbed the railing harder.

Ethan stepped closer not panicked, just alert.

His voice lowered.

“Someone tampered with it.”

My breath stopped.

''Tampered?''

At Orion?, Who could have the balls to do that.

But before I could think further.

The elevator jerked again,harder this time.

And the emergency system above us clicked.

Like a lock sealing shut.

Ethan’s jaw tightened slightly.

“Stay close to the panel,” he ordered.

I obeyed immediately.

Because this wasn’t the time to argue.

The elevator started moving again.

Then, the e doors opened.

Light spilled in.

We were on the ground floor.

I stepped out immediately, breathing hard.

Relief hit me too fast.

The elevator doors were still open.

I stepped out first, trying to steady my breathing.

My hand was still tight around my bag.

My heartbeat refused to slow down.

Behind me, Ethan didn’t move immediately.

He was still inside the elevator.

Still watching me.

That same unreadable expression on his face.

Like he was trying to pull a memory out of me that I didn’t know how to give.

“Olive,” he said again.

My fingers tightened.

I was about to answer suddenly a figure ran past us far, far from where we were.

'' Who was that?'' I whispered.

Ethan wasn't looking at me anymore, his entire focus has changed. His gaze fixed on the direction the figure has disappeared.

His expression changed instantly.

The kind of look that he knew , something was definitely wrong.

Then he said

''Whoever just ran past us''. He exhaled briefly,

''Is the reason the elevator failed''.

My breath stopped completely.

Because now it wasn’t just suspicion.

It was certainty.

And whoever it was.

Had been somewhere in this building.

Watching.