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CHAPTER EIGHTY-FIVE: CONFESSIONS AND CONSEQUENCES.
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-01-26 15:55:16
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BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER EIGHTY-SIX: THE COST OF REPAIR.
With her heart racing, Laura wrapped her fingers around the doorknob. Tightly closing her eyes, she began a silent countdown. “Three, two, one”. Quickly, she opened the door and threw the hammer into the air, ready to defend herself. "Hey! Hey! Slow down!” A man's voice, laced with terror, screamed. He dodged, raising his hands above his head to shield himself from the impending blow.Laura's breathing became slow as her eyes opened. The five men in front of her had terrified expressions on their faces. They stared at her with wide, confused eyes while holding brooms, boxes, mop sticks, and other cleaning supplies.A tidal wave of shame swept over her. She forced an uncomfortable smile across her lips as she swiftly lowered the hammer and tucked it behind her back. Though the heat of shame burned hot in her cheeks, she tried to regain her composure by rubbing her shaky hand over her face. The only sound in the oppressive silence that ensued was the slight rustle of the implements th
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-27BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER EIGHTY-SEVEN: TEARS AND TEMPTATION.
Fred Walker, it was him. Like a predator evaluating its prey, he stood there with his customary air of dominance, his piercing blue eyes fixed on hers. Laura's courage faltered under his controlling gaze, and she felt the usual knot in her stomach tighten. His presence was oppressive, almost stifling. His overwhelming aura, which usually managed to leave her speechless, temporarily paralyzed her. The cleaning team nearby seemed to detect the tension in the air, which was thick enough to cut with a knife. They looked away as they fumbled to collect their equipment, and Laura was startled out of her reverie by the loud scream of metal on the floor."Why are you here?" This time, her tone was firm and piercing as she ordered. "And how the hell did you get my home address?" She said, holding her bag to her chest like a shield and clenching her fingers around the strap. As she approached him, her terror giving way to a fury that burned through her like fire, her voice was tinged with accu
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-28BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER EIGHTY-EIGHT: FORCED TO CHOOSE.
As the doctor at the other end of the call waited for Laura's reaction, she stood in total silence. “Laura? Are you still there?” He spoke again, trying to get her attention and get a response. When she didn't respond, he pressed on, his voice a little urgent. "Firstly of all, I called to inform you that you have two weeks left to settle the outstanding balance on your mother's medical loan. Unfortunately, owing to unanticipated circumstances, the foundation that partially funded the expenditures has withdrawn its offer. I regret to inform you that there is now 10,000 dollars left in the balance”.The words hit Laura like a fist, paralyzing her for a moment. Grabbing the phone by the ear, she gazed at the screen, her eyes wide, attempting to decipher his words."How?" At last, her voice breaking from the shock of the realization, she inquired. "We didn't agree on that. We didn't talk about this”. She grabbed the phone with shaking hands and an excruciatingly heavy chest. "I understa
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-29BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER EIGHTY-NINE: TRAPPED IN HIS GAME.
As Fred's words reverberated across the corridor, Helen and Laura sprang apart, their hands sliding from one another's clasp. Their bodies tensed with fear as the sound sent a wave of uneasiness through them. Helen said, her voice hardly audible, "He's home." Laura's throat became abruptly dry as she swallowed forcefully. Unconsciously, she clasped her fingers together, an anxious habit she had never been able to completely break. She shuddered at the prospect of seeing Fred again. Each interaction with him had been a struggle that ended in sour remarks, tears, or worse.Just before they arrived at the door, Helen took Laura's arm and spoke in a cautious whisper. “Don't let your guard down, listen. When you speak, be firm. Be professional. Ignore him and keep your eyes on your objective, regardless of what he says. You must save your house and raise money for your mother's medical care. That is the only thing that counts”. As Helen's words became clear to Laura, she drew in a trembl
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-30BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER NINETY: CHASING FORGIVENESS.
With his work bag firmly grasped in his hand, Jerry proceeded directly to Laura's seat. His resolve was clear as his gaze never left her. Unaware of the tension, Fred kept eating his cookie and drinking his juice while idly observing Jerry. Laura sensed Jerry standing next to her, and her face flushed. His presence was intolerable to her because of the rage she still carried from the recent revelation. She wasn't prepared to talk to him, much less confront him. After hesitating, Jerry slowly extended his hand and touched her shoulder. She shivered at the comforting warmth of his touch. She leaped out of her chair, startled, and knocked the table a little.Fred felt the abrupt change in the air and cut down on his juice. He was still unaware that he was the cause of Laura's aloof behavior toward Jerry. Jerry's voice broke as his emotions overflowed. "Please, Laura, I... I apologize." Laura suddenly turned to face Fred. "I'll see you at work tomorrow”. She hurried away after saying
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-31BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER NINETY-ONE: A RIVALRY BEGINS.
As he shut off the engine, Fred's deep rumbling faded, and he pulled up in front of his companions. The fresh morning air was accompanied by the faint murmur of city life. Laura paused for a second before continuing. As she carefully slid open the car door, she whispered quietly, "Thank you for the ride." She walked out, waiting for him to follow, her eyes still on the classy car. Ever self-assured, Fred opened his door and stepped out, leaving the sound of the door slamming reverberating over the silent parking lot. As he walked toward her with a knowing sneer on his lips, his ego was clearly visible. In a silky, quiet voice, he whispered, "You're welcome, Laura," before giving her a playful wink.Ben, the security officer, saw them from afar and came running over. He said, "Good morning, sir," as he extended his hand to grab Fred's work bag. His motions were quick and well-practiced, an unwritten habit. Fred Walker was fun for Ben to be around. He occasionally gave him large grat
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-01BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER NINETY-TWO: THE FIRE OF POSSESSION.
Laura had already taken a seat in Fred's office, waiting for their chat to start with her fingers gripped together. She didn't know why, but there was tension in the air between them. Every few seconds, Fred's gaze shifted toward the entrance as though anticipating a distraction. Then footsteps reverberated down the corridor, loud and determined. Laura's heart beat in time with the footsteps that were approaching. Her stomach churned as she and Fred looked at each other uneasily, both of them automatically turning to face the entrance. Maggie suddenly burst through the door, pushing it open until it struck the wall behind her. She paced like an animal in a cage as she stomped deeper into the office, her eyes wild and her face enraged.“Seriously Fred?” Maggie spat, anger leaking into her voice. After glancing back and forth between them, she called out to both of them with a finger. “No one should enter your office until you're finished! I think that was an instruction?”. Tension
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-02BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER NINETY-THREE: TORN BETWEEN TWO.
Fred stood motionless, staring at Laura while his fingers made soft strokes across her hair. Slowly and deliberately, as if committing every strand to memory, he touched, relishing the moment. He whispered, "You're... you're so beautiful, I must confess," in a deep, appreciative voice. His thumb delicately caressed her skin as his hand moved from her hair to her fingers. Laura's body shivered at the unexpected feeling, and she saw a strange weakness settling over her. One part of her tried to resist the allure of his presence, while the other part yearned to give in to the warmth of his touch.She could now see why so many women felt helpless in Fred Walker's presence. He exuded a seductive charisma that made it simple to get swept up in his charms. It took a strong-willed woman with sufficient self-control and determination to avoid adding her name to his lengthy list of victories. Laura, on the other hand, was not going to be another win for him. "Thank you," she said hastily, try
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-03
Bab terbaru
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FOUR: A HAPPY EVER AFTER.
A puny cry gave its echo through the corridor of the hospital, sharp against the heavy silence, as a sudden sprinkle of light in the darkness. Short, yet long enough to create a ripple of emotion in the waiting room.Fred raised his head, his eyes wide in disbelief. "What... was that...?".Helen gave a gasp and within a moment her hand flew to her mouth, and her eyes were filled with tears. "Oh my God, that’s the baby! That’s Laura’s baby!" Jerry sprang up from his seat, almost toppling his chair. "She did it!”. “She really did it!".And for a moment in Presbyterian Hospital, time came to a screeching halt. The coldness of the white corridors was stifled with raw, unfettered emotion. Fred, Jerry, and Helen stood utterly still, their hearts thumping, while the set of double doors at the end of the hallway held their attention.With that, the doors flung wide open, and the doctor emerged, his face blissfully lit up with joy and pride. Tension snapped in an instant."Congratulations!" h
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-THREE: THE UNEXPECTED LABOR.
The sky was deep gray when Fred, Jerry, and Helen reached the hospital. The car with headlights sped through darkening spaces, spilling brassy rays onto the glimmering glass entrance of the hospital. As he screeched his tires, Jerry drove the car to an abrupt stop. "Here!”. “We are here!" shouted Jerry as he jumped from the car, running to the rear door. Fred held Laura in his arms, a mask of horror and concern.“Hold on, Laura. Just a little more”. "We are at the hospital," said Fred, hopeful, his voice straining, almost breaking under the burden of panic. Laura wrung her face as she shed tears. "It hurts… Fred… it hurts so badly… I can't...". A voice trampled by agony held in her throbbing, swollen tummy.Moments to spare, Helen dashed toward the hospital entrance and shoved open the glass doors. The sound of her voice arched in desperation through the reception area as she yelled, “We need help here! She’s in labour!”.Responding instantly, two nurses sprinted down from behind the
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-TWO: A NEW BEGINNING.
A soft golden sunlight fell across the driveway, bathing it beautifully as Fred's car gently rolled to a stop in front of the house. The trip from Laura's family house was quiet, really quiet, as though it spoke volumes in silence. Fragments of thoughts inhabited Fred and Laura, offering their thinking as they were trying to build a new life and future together. Fred turned his face toward Laura and noticed that her expression was calm and almost radiant. With one hand resting on her bulging belly, she was a silent but very potent reminder of the new starts ahead of them."Home sweet home," Fred said tenderly, with an affectionate smile as he turned toward her. Laura gazed in return, lips curling in a gentle smile of her own; though there was a sparkle in her eyes, one of wonder, hope, and just a hint of nervousness. "It feels... different now. More real." Fred gave her hand a squeeze before going on to add, "We will make it our home together."Out of the car they stepped, with warm a
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-ONE: THE MORNING AFTER I DO.
The soft morning sun filtered gently through the curtains; it fell into the bedroom with a mellow light. It warmed the tumbled sheets and stillness of the room, bathing everything in gold, in a hush. Fred stirred first to awaken slowly from the very deep slumber that had followed yesterday's clutch of emotions and celebration. When his eyes fluttered open to adjust to the sweet light, the first thing that came into sight was Laura.She looked serene, her features were calm and composed, yet some signs of fatigue hung heavily on her features. The previous day's joyful nerves, tears, and chuckles left nothing for her to hide under the restful appearance of sleep. Somehow, Fred could tell that the day had not been easy for Laura, physically and perhaps even more emotionally. He gazed at her for an unusually long moment, physically taking in her look, he had now possessed her as a wife, a woman who carried his child.He reached out gently and brushed Laura’s cheek. The gesture was silent,
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY: WE MADE IT HOME.
Jerry smoothly navigated the car into Fred's driveway; the tires barely made a sound crunching on the gravel under the soft evening light. At the gate, the security guard immediately recognized the newlyweds. With his face glowing with happiness, he quickly jogged towards the vehicle; his accession was respectful and yet openly thrilling."Congratulations, Mr. Fred, Miss Laura," he greeted them sincerely and graciously opened the car door with a courtly bow from the others. "It is an honor to welcome you home as husband and wife."Fred was the first to alight from the car; his movements were slow and deliberate. He turned towards Laura and extended his hand as she reached out and placed two fingers gingerly into his. As she stepped out of the car, indirectly from the porch light, that soft glow bathed her face, capturing those quiet, lovely smiles. Behind them, Helen and Jerry walked out of the car and gazed at each other, sharing a silent happiness reflected in their eyes.With a voi
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-NINE: A WEDDING OF SECOND CHANCES.
Gasps rippled through the crowd, like waves crashing upon a still shore. Slowly, every head turned towards that sudden sound coming from the road. A hushed silence draped over the ceremony. Laura's breath stuck in her throat as the doors of the first vehicle flung open.Thomas stepped out first, calm and composed, and next to him was Maggie, her face unreadable. It was the second car that stole the moment. The doors opened, and three figures stepped out that Laura hadn't seen for what felt like forever: Sarah, Linda, Rose and Mary. Time seemed to halt. Every eye widened in disbelief. As if that weren't enough, Mr. Tim followed behind them, walking steadily. Then came the sheriff, his presence commanding even in silence.Laura felt her knees weaken. Her fingers clutched at Fred's arm for support. Her voice trembled as it slipped from her lips in a whisper only he could hear."Fred... who invited them? Linda and Mary... what are they doing here?". Fred's eyes were narrowed and confusio
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-EIGHT: INTERRUPTED VOWS.
The early sun caused a golden glare over the town, still sleeping against the softly glowing rays indicating the heaviness of that day. In her own little cozy bedroom, Laura stood at the window while a gentle breeze curled the curtains. She held her phone to her ear, while the presence of flutters in her chest showed excitement.And then his soft, warm voice fluttered in on the line. "Good morning, my love. I hope you slept well.""Yes," Laura replied, twirling a strand of hair between her fingers shyly, "though not without dreaming about today." A gentle chuckle came through the phone. "Guess what," continued Fred. "The event planner is on her way with everything you need: shoes, dress, and a few little extra touches." For a moment, her heart skipped a beat, dissolving into gales of giggles while she shook her head and pressed her fingers to her lips. "Fred, I cannot wait to see you"! She declared with all the joy she could muster."Same goes, beautiful; I want our day to be that p
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SEVEN: THE CALM BEFORE THE VOW.
Thomas picked up the call after a few rings, his voice calm but laced with curiosity. "Fred? What's up? Been a minute." Fred did not answer immediately. His eyes strayed towards Laura, who sat at the edge of their bed, fingers knotted together tightly, nervously. The evening light softened through the curtains, catching the shiny anxiousness in her eyes. On the call, Fred could hear possible laughter, a comical chuckle of Maggie's blended with Jack's lighthearted voice. It painted a picture of peace, a home filled with warmth and healing. The sound stirred something in him. Was it guilt? Regret? He couldn't name it, but it was heavy inside his chest. Fred tried to focus, coughing in an attempt to clear his voice. He reckoned: "I know it's all so sudden." "But Laura and I are getting married... in a few hours”. “Monday morning. Rockaway Beach." There was a pause at the other end. Not static, not silence, just a long moment that tied emotions in the quiet. "What?" Finally came from
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SIX: ARMS THAT WAITED YEARS.
Time unraveled, his breath slightly impeded, and his chest suddenly tightened with the apparent new stiffness of the atmosphere. For a split second, his legs were rigid and would not allow him to advance. The reverse of time seemed to be in action. Unending photographs flashed through his mind: dusty photo albums, grainy pictures taken in hospitals, the gentle voice of his parents telling bedtime tales, and the image of a woman who had become a treasured legend enshrined in the folds of memory. No, surely, not. It could not have been her. But the contrary was undeniably true. Years had conspired to inscribe their stories on her skin; once dark hair turned lustrously silver, but her eyes had remained constant. Kind and wise, Fred had never forgotten them. Even if time had sculpted her features, everything those eyes stood for was untouched. An agonizing heartbeat followed, and he took a step in her direction. There was another woman beside her, probably her daughter. The family rese
