Love Beyond Every Word

Chapter 7:The Rumor Mill

By Wednesday morning, Calista learned something: Crisoms Tech gossips faster than Twitter.

9:03 AM. Office Kitchen.

Calista was microwaving oatmeal when two designers walked in.

“...heard he took her dinner last night.”

“At 9pm? Alone? Please.”

They saw her and went quiet.

Calista stirred her oatmeal and left.

11:20 AM. Her Desk.

Tessa dropped a stack of printouts on Calista’s desk. No smile.

“Mr. Crisoms wants these marked up by 2. And he asked me to tell you to stop CC’ing him directly. Protocol.”

Calista nodded. “Got it.”

As Tessa walked away, she added, loud enough for 3 desks to hear:

“It’s cute that you think late-night ‘mentoring’ means something.”

Calista kept her eyes on the paper.

---

6:30 PM. Albany General Hospital. Video Call.

Calista sat in her tiny Queens kitchen, laptop on a stack of books.

Granny Lisa was on screen. Headscarf on. Oxygen tube in. But still sharp.

“You look tired, baby,” Granny said.

“Work’s fine,” Calista lied. “Just busy.”

“You got that tone. The one you get when people are being mean.” Granny squinted. “That boss of yours giving you trouble?”

“He’s... difficult,” Calista admitted. “But he approved my contract extension. So I keep the 62K.”

Granny’s face lit up. “God is good. You hear me? God is good.”

Calista smiled. For real this time. “Yeah. He is.”

After the call, Calista got a text from her best friend Nia:

Nia: Drinks Friday? You’ve been MIA. Also I saw your ‘boss’ on LinkedIn. Fine but scary.

Me: Not fine. Rude. Yes to drinks.

---

9:15 PM. Bloom & Bean Coffee Shop.

Calista picked up a shift. Tips + keeps her hands busy.

That’s where she ran into him.

Not Rowan. Worse.

Tessa.

Tessa was in line, designer coat, no makeup. She looked human for once.

She froze when she saw Calista behind the counter.

Calista forced a smile. “What can I get you?”

“Americano. Black.” Tessa paid, then didn’t leave. “Didn’t know you worked here too.”

“I don’t ‘work here’. I pick up shifts,” Calista said, making the coffee. “Bills.”

Tessa watched her. “Look. About today. I didn’t mean—”

“You did,” Calista cut in, handing her the cup. “It’s fine. I’m used to it.”

Tessa took the coffee. Paused. “Rowan doesn’t mentor people. Ever. So whatever he’s doing with you... it’s new.”

Calista wiped the counter. “Maybe he just doesn’t want the project to fail.”

“Maybe,” Tessa said. She left, but not before: “Friday. Don’t wear that to the client dinner. Dress code.”

Calista stared after her. That was... almost not mean.

---

10:40 PM. Home.

Her phone buzzed.

Unknown: Client dinner Friday 7pm. Crisoms Tower. Wear black. Don’t be late. - R

Calista sighed. Another night of suits and side-eyes.

She texted Nia: Me: Scratch drinks. I have to pretend to be a professional.

Nia: Ooooh. Plot twist. Take pics.

Calista lay in bed thinking:

The office is talking.

Tessa is watching.

Granny needs the money.

And her boss just texted her what to wear.

This was no longer just a job.

---