How convenient

The elevator doors opened with a soft ding, revealing Ray standing inside, his hand poised to step out. Samira, ready to board, froze at the sight of him, her heart skipping a beat. Ray’s eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, neither of them moved. The world outside the elevator seemed to vanish, leaving only the two of them in the stifling silence. Ray’s expression was unreadable, his sharp features masked with a calm that Samira knew all too well—a calm that always came before the storm. Her pulse quickened, but she refused to show any sign of weakness.She squared her shoulders, lifting her chin slightly, her gaze unwavering. “Ray,” she greeted coolly.“Samira,” Ray responded, his voice low and controlled, but there was a fire smoldering behind his eyes. He took a step forward, as if to exit, but then something in his expression shifted, a flash of determination crossing his face. Without another word, he stepped back, leaning against the side of the elevator, his eyes never leaving hers. Samira hesitated, her heart pounding. She had expected Ray to brush past her, maybe mutter a few cutting words before moving on. But this? Him waiting for her to enter? This wasn’t part of the plan. Steeling herself, Samira walked into the elevator, the tension in the air almost suffocating. As soon as she stepped in, the doors slid shut, sealing them inside the small space. She moved to the opposite side, keeping a deliberate distance between them, but Ray’s presence was impossible to ignore. Ray’s eyes followed her every movement, intense and calculating. He didn’t say a word, but his gaze spoke volumes. Samira could feel it—the weight of everything unspoken between them, hanging in the air like a storm cloud ready to burst. She pressed the button for the top floor, her hand trembling slightly, but she quickly steadied it, refusing to let him see her nerves. She could sense Ray’s eyes on her, boring into her, but she didn’t dare look at him. Not yet.The elevator began its ascent, the soft hum of machinery the only sound between them. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife, each second stretching out like an eternity.

Ray broke the silence first, his voice dripping with irritation. “What exactly are you playing at, Samira? Is this some kind of game to you?”

Samira raised an eyebrow, matching his glare with a cool, defiant look. “If working hard and getting a job counts as playing a game, then I guess I’m winning.” The moment she saw him in the office that morning she'd known that Ray had gotten absolutely mad, she knew she would have to face him in the evening but she didn't know she would have to face him even before she got to start her work and the first thing he could ask her was; "Just what kind of game are you playing?" he barked, his voice echoing in the small space. Samira met his glare with a calm, almost amused expression, her lips curling into a small, knowing smile that only infuriated him further.

Ray’s eyes narrowed, clearly not in the mood for her sass. “You knew how I felt about this. I told you to stay out of my friend’s company.”

“And I told you I wasn’t going to sit around doing nothing,” Samira shot back. “I needed a job, Ray. I wasn’t going to wait for you to come back from another ‘business trip’ and tell me how to live my life.”

Ray scoffed, his voice laced with sarcasm. “Oh, so now you’re the career woman, huh? And what happens if I make things difficult for you? If I push you out, make you quit?”

Samira smirked, tilting her head as she looked at him. “You really think you can bully me into quitting? That’s so... last century, Ray. I worked hard to get this job, and I’m not leaving just because my husband decided to throw a tantrum.”

Ray leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “You’re forgetting what I said I’d do if you ever defied me, Samira.”

Samira didn’t flinch, even as Ray’s gaze bore into hers. “What, by asserting your so-called husbandly rights? Please. You wouldn’t dare try anything in your friend’s company. You’ve got an image to maintain, right?”

Ray’s eyes flashed, and in one swift move, he had her pinned against the wall. “Don’t push me, Samira.”

She rolled her eyes, completely un-bothered by his attempt at intimidation. “Ray, this whole macho act is really wearing thin. There’s nothing wrong with me working, and you know it.”

Ray straightened up but kept his gaze locked on her. “Working with a bunch of men? You think that’s nothing?”

Samira blinked, momentarily thrown off before realizing what he meant. “Oh, please. My colleagues are just that—colleagues. Stop being so possessive.”

“I don’t care!” Ray snapped, clearly riled up. “What I care about is my reputation. I’m not about to let some office fling ruin what I’ve built.”

Samira’s eyes widened, then she burst out laughing. “Reputation? You mean the one where you’re pictured with a different bimbo every week? Yeah, your reputation is really solid, Ray.”

Ray bristled, his face flushing with anger. “Don’t be ridiculous! The press just blows things out of proportion. I thought you were smarter than that.”

“Oh, I am smart, Ray. That’s why I put down ‘single’ on my application form. To the company, I’m just Samira—single, hardworking, and unencumbered by a possessive husband.”

Ray glanced at her ringless finger and then down at his own. “And what’s your excuse for not wearing your ring?”

Samira shrugged, enjoying the way the tables had turned. “Why should I wear mine when you’ve conveniently ‘forgotten’ yours? Oh wait, did you leave it in Canada along with your dignity?”

Ray’s jaw clenched, but before he could retort, Samira pushed past him, ready to exit the elevator as soon as it stopped.

“Samira—” Ray began, but she cut him off.

“And no, Ray, I’m not dating anyone. Not that it’s any of your business. But feel free to keep stewing in your little jealousy pot. It suits you.”

The elevator dinged, and Samira stepped out, leaving Ray staring after her, phone in hand, ready to call his friend to fire her. But he hesitated, knowing deep down she was right. He was being unreasonable.

As the doors began to close, Samira threw one last jab over her shoulder. “Oh, and Ray? If you ever decide to grow up, let me know. We might actually have something to talk about.”

The doors shut with a final click, leaving Ray alone with his thoughts, a reluctant smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. Samira was right—again.

But somehow, that only made him more frustrated.