Chapter five~ whispers turn to fire
736 Words
The morning air inside the Capitol building felt heavier than usual. Isla walked quickly through the lobby, clutching her folder tighter than necessary, trying to ignore the heat crawling up her neck.
She had been telling herself since last night that she was imagining things. Daniel couldn’t possibly have proof of anything—because nothing had happened. But as soon as she reached the staff floor, she knew she’d been wrong.
Every conversation seemed to dip when she passed. Lydia wouldn’t meet her eyes. Two junior aides who usually greeted her with cheerful “good mornings” only exchanged glances before walking away.
By the time she reached her desk, her hands were shaking.
“What’s going on?” she whispered to Lydia when she finally dared.
Lydia leaned closer, lowering her voice. “Someone’s saying you’ve been… spending time in the senator’s office after hours.”
Her stomach dropped. “That’s not—” She cut herself off, realizing how defensive she sounded.
“I know,” Lydia said quickly. “But, Isla… people saw something. A picture, maybe. I don’t know who started it.”
Daniel. It had to be Daniel.
By mid-morning, the rumor was no longer a whisper. Evelyn called Isla into her office, her expression sharper than usual.
“Sit down,” she ordered.
Isla obeyed, her heart pounding.
“Do you know what people are saying?” Evelyn asked, folding her arms.
“Yes,” Isla whispered. “But it’s not true.”
“Then you’d better be careful,” Evelyn warned. “The senator’s reputation is delicate. So is yours. A rumor like this can ruin both before it’s even denied. Do you understand?”
“Yes.” Isla’s throat tightened.
Evelyn’s gaze softened slightly, but only slightly. “You’re a smart girl, Rivera. Don’t give them ammunition. Don’t give me a reason to doubt you.”
She was dismissed with a curt nod, leaving Isla’s legs trembling.
Later that day, she found herself carrying notes to the senator’s main office. Her hands shook as she knocked, wondering if he knew.
“Come in,” his voice called.
He was standing by the window when she entered, sleeves rolled, his tie loosened again. His presence filled the room, calm but commanding.
“Miss Rivera,” he said evenly. “Close the door.”
Her chest tightened. She obeyed, setting the notes on his desk before facing him.
He studied her in silence, his gaze unreadable. “Have you heard what they’re saying?”
Her heart stuttered. “Yes, Senator. But it isn’t true. I would never—”
“I know,” he interrupted, his tone softer. “I know your character. But perception is dangerous. Sometimes more dangerous than fact.”
Relief flooded her, but only for a moment. His trust meant everything—but it didn’t erase the storm outside these walls.
“Senator, I—”
The knock at the door cut her off. Evelyn’s head appeared. “Excuse me, Senator. You’re needed downstairs.”
He straightened, sliding his jacket on. “Thank you, Evelyn.” He looked at Isla one last time, eyes lingering a second too long. “This isn’t the end of it. Be cautious.”
Then he was gone, leaving her with her heart thundering and her head spinning.
She barely had time to steady herself before her phone buzzed. A message from an unknown number lit up the screen:
Pretty picture, isn’t it? You slipping out of his office late at night. Wonder what people will think when they see more?
Her breath caught. The sender attached the photo: grainy, but unmistakable. Isla leaving Alexander’s private office, folder in hand, a flush still on her cheeks.
Daniel.
Before she could respond, another message appeared:
Careful, sweetheart. One wrong move, and your career—and his—go up in smoke.
That evening, as she sat in her apartment staring at her phone, another blow landed. A notification buzzed—her friend back home had tagged her in a post. Curiosity turned to dread as she clicked.
A political gossip page had posted the same photo.
“Senator Alexander Ward seen keeping late company with his young aide. Sources say this isn’t the first time.”
Her world tilted.
The rumors weren’t whispers anymore. They were headlines.
The leaked photo makes it onto gossip blogs, threatening both Isla’s career and Alexander’s reputation.
- Writer
