chapter Three
1031 Words
Nobody warned me that embarrassment could live in your head rent free and simply refuse to go away.
I followed the former secretary down the hallway, even the clicking of my heels sounded too loud for my liking. Every sound felt amplified. And my thoughts—they were worse.
My boss.
My actual boss.
I had slept with my boss.
And he stood there earlier, looking at me like I was a misplaced object. Maybe I was.
“Your desk is right here,” the woman said, stopping abruptly.
I almost walked into her back.
“Oh. Sorry,” I muttered.
She placed the file on the desk. “You’ll handle scheduling, correspondence, and meeting briefs. Mr. Harrington prefers efficiency.”
Of course he did.
“Does he prefer… um… coffee?” I asked.
She gave me a look. “Yes. But black. No sugar.”
Figured.
She left without another word.
I stood there for a moment, staring at the desk like it might start speaking to me. It was neat and really organized. The chair looked untouched. And honestly everything screamed discipline.
I sat down slowly.
Breathe, Amelia. Just breathe.
I powered on the computer, logged in with the details she’d given me, and tried to focus on the screen instead of the fact that he was somewhere in this building.
Somewhere close.
“Good morning.”
I flinched and looked up.
He stood there. Right in front of me.
Suit. Tie. Calm expression. Same face that had been inches from mine hours ago, except now there was no warmth in it.
“G—good morning, sir,” I said standing up quickly, I almost stumbled.
“Sit,” he said simply.
I sat.
“I trust you’ve been briefed,” he continued.
“Yes, sir.”
He nodded once. “I’ll need the ten o’clock meeting rescheduled. Push it to tomorrow.”
“Of course.”
“And send out the revised agenda.”
“I will.”
He placed a folder on my desk. But fingers did not touch.
Not even close.
He turned to leave.
So that was it.
No pause. No glance. No sign that last night existed.
I felt strange on the inside.
I stared at the folder until the words started looking blurry.
Was I imagining it? The night? The laughter? The ease?
Had I invented a version of him that didn’t exist?
Or maybe it wasn't him. Maybe it's a look alike, or a doppelganger.
I shook my head in frustration and focused on my work.
The office slowly filled with people. Voices. Ringing phones. Laughter. Everyone seemed… comfortable.
They greeted him differently.
“Good morning, sir.”
“Morning, Mr. Harrington.”
He acknowledged them with nods and brief responses. The aura felt different when he passed.
Power.
That was the word.
I had slept with a man who owned the room without trying.
My phone buzzed.
Layla.
Layla: YOU ALIVE???
I typed back quickly.
Me: I hate everything. The man from last night is my bosd. I literally f****d my boss.
Layla: Wait what! Gimme the details.
Me: LOL details later.
I slipped the phone away just as he walked past again.
“Amelia,” he said.
“Yes, sir?”
“Cancel my lunch.”
I blinked. “Cancel?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
He hesitated for a second. “Push all non essential meetings to next week.”
I nodded. “I’ll do that.”
He walked away and my heart thudded.
Why cancel lunch? Why now?
I shook my head. It wasn’t my business anyway.
Hours passed slowly.
I typed. Printed. Answered calls. Took notes.
Every now and then, he exited his office. Every time, I became aware of myself in a way I hated.
My posture. My voice. My breathing.
At one point, I handed him a document.
“Sir, this needs your signature.”
He took it. “Thank you.”
That was all.
No softness. No hint. Maybe I did get the wrong guy.
But it hurt more than anger would have.
By mid afternoon, my head ached badly. I never really got to recover fully from my hangover.
I stood up to grab water and nearly collided with him again.
“Sorry,” I said quickly.
He stepped aside. “Careful.”
That was it.
Careful.
I filled my cup and turned to leave.
“Amelia.”
I stopped.
“Yes?”
“You can take a break.”
I frowned. “I’m fine.”
“You’ve been working since you arrived.”
“So has everyone else.”
“That wasn’t a suggestion,” he said evenly.
I nodded. “Understood.”
I walked away before he could say anything else.
In the break room, I leaned against the counter and closed my eyes.
Why was he doing this?
Why act like I was invisible and then adjust my workload?
My phone buzzed again.
Layla: Has he said anything yet?👀
Me: I’m going to throw myself out a window.
Layla: OMG
I slipped the phone back into my bag.
When I returned, the office was less busy with fewer people. End of day approaching, which honestly was much to my relief.
I was gathering files when the elevator doors opened.
He stepped inside.
It was just us.
Silence wrapped around the space.
The doors closed and the elevator started moving.
I felt panicked while he stared ahead. I turned and stared at the floor.
Say something, my mind screamed.
Don’t, another voice replied.
“I didn’t expect to see you here,” he said finally.
I swallowed. So he did recognize me. “I didn’t expect you to be here either.”
He glanced at me.
For a moment, the wall cracked. Well just slightly.
Then I stepped back.
“This is inappropriate,” I said quietly.
He nodded. “Yes.”
The elevator dinged and the doors opened—finally.
I walked out without looking back.
At my desk, I packed my bag quickly. I needed air. Space. Anything.
As I walked toward the exit, I felt his gaze behind me.
But I didn't turn around. I left.
- Writer
