Chapter 3
917 Words
Today is going to be 3 months. I started working here,super grateful for this job,Mimi thought as she walked into the elevator and towards her desk.
The office is its usual hum of activity. Mimi is at her desk, typing away on her laptop, still mulling over her conversation with Shalom from the previous night. She glances at her phone, wondering if Layla will reach out.
Like as if on cue ,a ping.It’s a message from Layla.
‘Hey Mimi! Want to grab lunch today?’
Mimi hesitates, remembering Shalom’s warning. But then she shakes off the doubt. What harm could come from lunch?
‘Sure! Where should we meet?’
By lunchtime,
Mimi and Layla are sitting at a small corner table in the bustling café, sipping their drinks. Layla is all shades of excited, talking about the latest projects in the accounts department,
“You wouldn’t believe the number of mistakes we caught in the last quarterly report! I had to stay late every night last week.”
Mimi laughs politely, but something about Layla’s tone feels... off. She couldn’t quite place it, but Layla’s energy seems almost too eager.
“No way,That sounds exhausting. I hope the CEO appreciates all the effort you’re putting in.”
Layla waves her hand dismissively.
Layla smiles tightly,
“Oh, Aiden? He barely notices anything unless it directly affects him. But that’s just how CEOs are, right? Cold and self-absorbed.”
Mimi shifts uncomfortably, not sure how to respond. She watches Layla carefully, noticing for the first time that beneath her friendly exterior, there’s a sharpness to her words.
“Yeah, I guess.” she chuckled nervously.
Layla leans in closer, lowering her voice.
“You’re not developing feelings for him are you? You don’t want to get too close now, he's your boss after all.” she said softly.
Mimi felt this awkward aura, that statement was just too random. Shalom’s warning echoes in her mind, and for a brief moment, she wonders if she should be taking this lunch with Layla as lightly as she is.
Is Layla even taking it lightly?
Layla is so nice...she invited me out to lunch,but there was something unsettling about the way she spoke about Aiden. Almost like there was something else she was trying to say, like she had some sort of experience with him.
Layla’s phone rings, and she excuses herself to answer it, leaving Mimi alone to her thoughts at the table.
Maybe Shalom’s right. Maybe I should be careful.
Layla returns with a bright smile, but something about her feels different now. Mimi forces a smile back, but the seed of doubt and curiosity has been planted.
After Lunch,they both return
“We should hang out more,later," Layla said.
" Yeah sure.”
Back at the office, Mimi sits at her desk, replaying the conversation with Layla in her mind. The unease grows, but before she can fully process it, Aiden walks by her desk, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer than usual.
“Paulsen, my office. Now.” his voice sounded gruff.
Mimi stands, her stomach knotting. She has no idea what’s coming next, but something tells her this day is far from over.
“You told shalom I apologized to you?” Aiden growls, the words low but sharp, as if he’s trying to keep his voice in check.
She blinks, confused at how he knew,
Mimi's heart races as Aiden's words sink in. Shalom? Why would she tell him about the apology?"I-I didn’t mean anything by it," she stutters, trying to make sense of his accusation. "Shalom’s my best friend, I just mentioned it in passing–”
Aiden’s expression hardens, cutting her off. “Well, keep your personal conversations out of my business. I don’t need rumors spreading in my company. Especially ones about me,” he growls, the sharp edge in his voice leaving no room for argument.
Mimi swallows hard, fighting the urge to shrink under his glare. She wants to defend herself, to say something that doesn’t make her feel so small, but nothing comes to mind.
“Understood,” she mutters, her gaze fixed on the floor.
“Good.” He leans back, his hands resting on the desk, his tone suddenly shifting from anger to something darker. “Because if I hear another word about this, I won’t be so lenient next time.”
Mimi nods quickly, her chest tightening as he dismisses her with a wave of his hand. She feels her pulse in her ears as she leaves his office, her face flushed with a mix of shame and frustration.Back at her desk, she collapses into her chair, her mind racing. Why would Shalom even say anything? She presses her palms against her temples, her thoughts swirling.why is she even coming up as a conversation between Aiden and shalomShalom had never been careless before. Was she just trying to help, or did she say too much without realizing it?
Before she can dwell on it any longer, her phone buzzes. It’s a text from Shalom.
Shalom: Lunch later? I have so much tea to spill!
Mimi stares at the screen, torn between the warmth she usually feels when talking to Shalom and the doubt Aiden’s words planted in her. She replies quickly:
Mimi: Sorry b,Can’t today. Work’s crazy.
Her fingers hover over the keyboard, then she types another message before she can stop herself.
Mimi: Did you mention to anyone anything about Aiden apologizing?
- Writer
