I DON'T LIKE YOU, BOSS

ALYA ZANE

CHAPTER 6

The Rumors

ALYA ZANE

By Monday morning, the office was already buzzing.

Not about the campaign.

Not about the upcoming presentation.

About me.

I knew something was wrong the moment I walked through the doors.

People looked at me.

Then whispered.

Then looked away.

I frowned.

What happened?

Camille practically ran toward me.

“Alya!”

“What?”

“You haven't checked your messages?”

“No. Why?”

She pulled out her phone.

“There are rumors.”

“What rumors?”

She hesitated.

Then showed me the screen.

Someone had posted an anonymous message on the company's employee group.

“The CEO seems unusually interested in one particular employee.”

My stomach dropped.

Another message appeared underneath.

“Maybe that's why she suddenly got assigned to the biggest projects.”

I stared at the screen.

“That’s ridiculous.”

“I know.”

Another notification appeared.

“Some people apparently don't need qualifications when they have the CEO's attention.”

My face went hot.

“That isn't true.”

“I know it's not.”

“But everyone is going to believe it.”

Camille squeezed my arm.

“Don't worry. I'll help you figure out who started this.”

I shook my head.

“No. I don't want to make it worse.”

I walked toward my desk.

But every whisper followed me.

---

At 9:00, an email arrived.

From: Lucas Villano

My office. Now.

I sighed.

Perfect.

I knocked.

“Come in.”

Lucas was standing behind his desk.

He looked serious.

“You've seen the rumors.”

I nodded.

“Yes.”

“Did you have anything to do with them?”

My eyes widened.

“You think I started them?”

“No.”

“Then why ask?”

“Because I need to know exactly what happened.”

I crossed my arms.

“I didn't post anything.”

“I know.”

I paused.

“You do?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

“Because I trust you.”

That answer caught me off guard.

Lucas walked around his desk.

“This company has strict policies about workplace harassment and false accusations. I'll handle it.”

“You don't have to.”

“I do.”

“I can handle myself.”

“I know.”

“Then—”

“But you shouldn't have to.”

I stared at him.

For once, I didn't have an answer.

He continued, “Until this is resolved, you shouldn't respond to anyone.”

“What about the campaign?”

“You'll continue working.”

“And the people saying I got the project because of you?”

“Let them talk.”

I frowned.

“Easy for you to say.”

“No.”

His expression became serious.

“It's not easy for me either.”

I looked at him.

“Why?”

He hesitated.

Then said quietly,

“Because I know exactly why I chose you.”

My heart beat faster.

“Why?”

“Because you're good at what you do.”

He held my gaze.

“And because I trust you.”

I looked down.

“Thank you.”

“You don't need to thank me.”

He returned to his desk.

“You need to prove them wrong.”

I smiled slightly.

“That part I can do.”

---

By lunchtime, the rumors had gotten worse.

Someone had posted a picture of Lucas and me leaving the restaurant together.

The caption said:

“Business lunch?”

I stared at the screen.

My hands tightened around my phone.

“This is getting ridiculous.”

Camille nodded.

“We need to report it.”

“I will.”

Before I could do anything else, Lucas walked into the department.

Everyone went silent.

He looked around.

Then spoke.

“Everyone, conference room.”

We followed him.

He stood at the front.

“I've become aware of the rumors circulating about Ms. Zane.”

The room was silent.

“Let me make something clear.”

His voice was firm.

“Alya Zane was assigned to the campaign because she earned it.”

He looked around the room.

“Her work speaks for itself.”

Nobody moved.

“And anyone spreading false information about an employee will be held accountable.”

His eyes were cold.

“Is that understood?”

Everyone nodded.

“Yes, sir.”

Lucas looked at me.

“That's all.”

We returned to our desks.

I followed him into the hallway.

“Lucas.”

He stopped.

“You didn't have to defend me like that.”

“Yes, I did.”

“Why?”

He looked at me.

“Because it was the right thing to do.”

I smiled.

“Thank you.”

He nodded.

Then he walked away.

But I couldn't shake the feeling that there was another reason.

Something he wasn't saying.

---

That evening, I stayed late to finish the campaign.

The office slowly emptied.

At 8:30, I was still working.

A notification appeared on my computer.

Lucas: Still there?

I typed back.

Alya: Yes.

His reply came quickly.

Lucas: You should go home.

Alya: You too.

A few seconds passed.

Lucas: Fair.

I smiled.

Then another message appeared.

Lucas: Wait for me.

I frowned.

Alya: Why?

Lucas: I'll walk you to the lobby.

I stared at the message.

My heart skipped.

Alya: I can walk myself.

Lucas: I know.

Alya: Then why?

There was a long pause.

Then:

Lucas: Because I want to.

I didn't know what to say.

So I simply closed my laptop.

---

Five minutes later, Lucas appeared.

He stood beside my desk.

“Ready?”

I nodded.

We walked toward the elevator together.

Neither of us spoke.

When the elevator arrived, we stepped inside.

The doors closed.

Silence.

Then Lucas said, “About the rumors…”

I looked at him.

“You don't have to worry about them.”

“I'm trying not to.”

“You know what I think?”

“What?”

“People talk when they don't understand something.”

I smiled.

“Understand what?”

Lucas looked at me.

For a moment, I thought he was going to answer.

Instead, he said,

“Good night, Alya.”

The elevator doors opened.

He stepped out.

I stayed inside.

As the doors closed again, I touched my hand to my chest.

My heart was beating faster than it should.

And I finally admitted something I had been trying to avoid.

The rumors weren't the only thing worrying me.

Because somewhere between the arguments, late nights, and unexpected kindness...

I had started caring about Lucas Villano.

And I was terrified of what would happen if he realized it.