When I started walking through the halls, something finally happened. This was what I had been expecting would greet me at the company from the moment I set foot in the building. People in the cubicles and glass offices noticed me immediately and it went very silent for a few seconds. Heads snapped, and I could hear the noises they made—the quiet gasps, the whispers, the shuffling of papers that abruptly stopped. It was childish, I knew, but it made me happy.People had been busy with their work, fully immersed in their tasks. But the moment they heard the click of my heels, their attention turned to me. They all stopped what they were doing and stared. Some of their eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. It was clear they couldn’t believe I was there.I was sure they were surprised, and I could feel the curiosity radiating from them as they wondered why I was back. I couldn’t blame them; I remembered the last time I’d been here. The scene that went down between Eric and me was en
"Eric," I said sharply, trying to steer the conversation back to the matter at hand. Work. "I thought we could talk about work, not about our personal lives."But he wasn’t done. He laughed again, his eyes darkening by the second. "So, you thought I’d forget? That I’d just ignore the fact that you’re engaged to my father? That you're now fucking him? God, you’ve got some nerve.""Eric," I started again, my voice hard with a no-nonsense tone, but of course, he cut me off."I should never have married you, Mina. You are the most vile, vindictive—"But I stopped him, my voice cutting through."I came here because we’re going to be working together. I didn’t come here to hash out our personal feelings. I didn't come here so you could insult me either. By the way, You—you were the one who slept with my sister, to begin with. My only sister. While we were married, then You went ahead and got her pregnant.“ I shook my head both in disbelief at his audacity and disgust for his behaviour."I
What the hell was Emerson doing here? What was he doing here? I thought he had a meeting with the IT department. That's what Jason said just a few minutes ago.Sigh!Just as Emmerson took a few steps inside, I saw Jason behind him, holding his pad in his hand. He looked restless and a little out of breath.I on the other hand couldn’t help the surprise in my voice as I saw him there. I hadn't expected to see him here at all, at least not right now after our little talk upstairs.He came towards me and deliberately gave me a kiss, full on the mouth. Okay, it wasn’t anything PG, but still, he did that in front of Eric, and I couldn’t help myself but throw a glance towards Eric just to see his reaction. It was the first time we had been intimate with each other Infront of him. Eric had a disgusted look on his face that just made me smile more towards Emerson.“Hey, is everything okay?” Emerson asked me tenderly“She’s fine,” Eric snapped, cutting into our conversation. “Everything is fi
Emerson, rightly so, was mad, but I didn’t want that to feed Emerson’s ego any more than it already had.Emerson’s words came out through gritted teeth as one hand went protectively to my back, the other fist clenching and unclenching in frustration. His voice was low but unwavering as he directed his attention toward Eric.“Still, whatever it is you’re thinking of her, whatever your problems with her are, whatever feelings you have towards her, you’re still going to respect her. She’s my fiancée and I’m going to marry her. She’s here because you forced her. She’s helping this company, And for her to do that, you are going to respect her.”The whole room was tense with suffocating tension before Emerson’s next words broke through.“This is a place of business,” he continued calmly, his voice filled with authority. “Yes, I know it’s a place of business, but you still used your friends and your connections to have her here, because you want her back in this company. You think I don't k
"I don't understand," Emerson said, taking a step toward me.I moved quickly, rounding the desk and putting the desk between us to create some distance. We needed to have this conversation, and we needed to have it now.He sighed deeply, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. "Okay, Mina, I don't understand what's going on, so why don't you just tell me? Instead of playing this game, explain what it is you’re upset about."I narrowed my eyes at him. "You think I'm playing a game with you, Emerson? Why did you come there? Why did you come to Eric’s office?"His brows furrowed. "I came to look after you. I just wanted to make sure you two had talked, came to an agreement, and that everything was okay.“ he answered, but when he saw the look in my eye he quickly added,“Honestly, I thought you would go through HR, and let them sort out the office situation with Eric. But when I heard you went straight to his office... Mina, nothing good ever comes from your interactions with him.
Knock, knock."Mr Blackwind, we really have to go," Jason said as he peeked inside. "The people are getting restless.""Yes, of course," Emerson said, shaking his head like he suddenly remembered. "Please don't tell me that you forgot about this meeting with IT," I asked him with a fake disappointed smile."I'm sorry. It's just, you really drive me crazy.""Then I think it's bad that I'm back here since I'm making you forget about your responsibilities.""No, never. You would never make me bad. You just make me work harder." He said with a wink.I could sense the innuendo in his answer, so I gave out a laugh. He grinned at me one last time before heading out.I saw an impatient Jason already filling him in as the two of them walked away. I watched them leave through the glass window, the sight of them walking away slowly fading from my view.Then I looked at my new office.It wasn't really mine. I was just occupying it for the duration of the project. People had tried rearranging the
"Eric," I began, my tone slow, as if I were talking to a child who had just misunderstood the simplest thing ever. "I asked about Rachel before I called her to my office. I was specifically told she was working with the filing team. So it’s kind of weird and crazy that you're saying now, that she's your secretary. You just agreed with me when I told you she was working in the filing office. So what the hell are you talking about?"Eric’s eyes narrowed as if I had just insulted his intelligence. "Well, you see, Mina, I know that she was working there. But yesterday, I already went through all the procedures. I talked with HR. There’s already a form there. I wrote her a letter, and she was supposed to come upstairs and become my secretary. So there you have it."I couldn't hide my disbelief. "If that was the case, why was she still down there in the filing system when I called?"Eric shrugged dismissively, an air of superiority coming from him. "I don’t know. Maybe you should ask her. B
I raised an eyebrow in question as I asked, "What is this?"Eric shook the cup in his hands, a faint smirk on his lips. "It’s your cup. Your favourite cup, if I’m guessing right." A winning smile on his face, like he was trying to get me to buy a product."And why do you have it?" I countered, arms crossing over my chest. "Do I need to do something to get it? Is that what you’re thinking? That you can hold the cup hostage over me, or something?"He laughed, the sound dripping with a hint of mockery. "Of course not, Mina. Your mind is running a mile a minute. It’s just a cup, stop being so paranoid. But I just remembered that you really like this cup. And since you’re back at work, I thought I could give it to you.""Why?" I asked, levelling my gaze at him, determined to read between his words. I didn’t trust him—not even for a second.Eric shifted slightly, his eyes darting away before he finally answered, "It’s a ‘Welcome Back’ gift, kind of. Think of it as...my version of a welcom
After the nurse disappeared, the silence in the waiting room thickened. Every pair of eyes turned to me again.Tina’s gaze was sharp and accusing, her lips pressed into a tight, angry line. Eric didn’t bother hiding his disgust. He looked over me with disdain. Rita threw glances at me now and then and I couldn't tell what she was thinking, but I knew which side she was.I sat there, wondering.Why does Trey want to see me?The question circled in my mind over and over like a broken record. It made no sense. Why would he want me, of all people, by his bedside? This wasn’t just strange—it was absurd. Whether he realized it or not, he was putting me in a position I didn’t want to be in, a position I didn’t ask for.The minutes dragged on in agonizing silence.Finally, Tina broke it with a snarl. “Oh no. No one is stopping me. I’m going to see my son.”Without waiting for anyone’s response, she marched off furiously as she barreled down the hallway in search of Trey’s ward.Emerson exhal
I couldn’t believe it. Trayson was awake. Talking. Alive. Relief and dread worked together inside me. I was glad he was conscious—no one here wanted a murder charge hanging over their head. But he was awake.Do you understand what I mean?He was going to talk. And what would he say?Would he say that Emerson attacked him? Would he twist the truth in his favour? Every eye in this room had already judged me. Even the officer, who was supposed to remain neutral, seemed to believe I was guilty.The worst part? Tina.This was the same woman who had spent the entire dinner praising me, gushing about how much she liked me. Her son had said so himself too. Now, here she was, transformed into a raging lioness, accusing me of being a monster who had hurt her son. And no matter what Trayson said—no matter what those security tapes from the restaurant revealed—Tina wasn’t going to believe that her precious son was an arrogant asshole.BUT, No alcohol in his system? Seriously?I remembered the fla
Everyone's eyes turned toward me, their expressions thick with anger, surprise, hatred, and disappointment. I could feel their judgment like sharp knives against my skin.Emerson's hand moved to his face, shielding his eyes as though trying to block out the truth or perhaps the sight of me standing there. He was the one person I wanted to look at, the one person whose reaction I needed to see. But he didn’t meet my gaze. I stood frozen, letting their stares cut into me, letting their judgment pour over me.Tina’s hand trembled as she raised it, pointing at me. Her voice was sharp, almost unrecognizable.“You tell me—what did you do to my son?”She pushed herself up, her entire body shaking with rage. I couldn’t move. I stood there, rooted in place, my breath caught in my throat, my mind blank. Tina was coming for me, and I didn’t know what to do.Eric grabbed her arms just in time, pulling her back as she lunged toward me. “Tina, stop!”The police officer stepped between us. His cal
“He is not dead, Tina!” Emerson snapped, his voice filled with frustration. “Stop acting as if he’s dead. He is alive and doing well. He is going to wake up, he’s going to regain consciousness, and he’s going to say what happened. Why are you causing all this ruckus? Why don’t you wait until he wakes up and speaks about what happened?”Tina’s expression hardened, her face replaced with suspicion and anger. “Because I’m afraid that one of you will get to him before I do,” she retorted. “Maybe you’ll get rid of him before I can find out the truth. And I’m going to protect my son.”Emerson’s face twisted in disbelief. “ Are you serious right now? I can't believe this, now you think we want to do what?“ Emerson released a sad laugh before he continued. “It’s okay if you don’t want me or Mina to go close to him. You’re his mother. You’re the first person he’s going to see. He’s going to tell you everything.““ And when he does tell me something, I don’t want any of you to flee. You’re g
I sat there on the chair, just sitting, staring at the walls, watching nurses and doctors pass by, their steps brisk, their faces a blur of calm and urgency. They came in and out, speaking softly, holding clipboards in hushed tones. My mind was blank. My body felt distant, as though I was a spectator of my own life.Then, out of nowhere, I heard the hurried click of heels—a determined, sharp sound cutting through the quiet of the hospital. Voices followed voices trying hard to be composed but strained.Tina and Emerson appeared first. They weren’t walking together; they were locked in a tug-of-war of anger. Emerson’s face was tight, his jaw clenched. Tina, her eyes wild, was a storm barely held in place.And behind them, a police officer.The sight of the uniform turned my stomach to ice. Panic surged through me so violently that I thought I might be sick. It’s done. We’re done. Everybody knows. I didn’t know how far this would go, but my mind raced to the worst. Was I an accomplice?
They were all staring at me, waiting. The room felt smaller, and my heart raced. I was nervous. Too nervous. So I blurted the first word that came to my head."Nothing."Tina’s eyes darkened, her voice rising. "What do you mean nothing? Treyson is lying in there. He is hurt. His life is on the line, and you’re telling me that nothing?""I mean… nothing really happened," I stammered, my voice weak. "I don’t know what you expect me to say. I just… I don’t know what happened."Her anger rose as she stepped closer. "What do you mean you don’t know what happened, Mina?""Okay, let’s just calm down," Emerson interjected, his tone soothing as he placed himself between us. "I get that our emotions are running high, and we all want answers, but let’s take a breath."Tina was having none of it. Her glare burned right through me. "No. I want to know what happened to my son. You and Mina were the ones with Trey when it happened, and I want to know exactly what went down. Are you going to tell me?
I know some people are going to call me a hypocrite, but Eric always treated Tina with respect—almost like she was his mother. He had just called her his godmother at dinner for Christ's sake.This was so inappropriate.I didn’t know if he was taking advantage of the situation, taking advantage of her, or if he didn’t even realize what he was doing. I didn’t know.But seeing the look on Rita’s face?Now that was good.That was priceless.The way she got mad. How her face turned red with fury. My heart released some heartache.As we reached them, Rita shifted her body, positioning herself firmly beside Eric. Emerson and I stood directly in front of Eric and Rita.Emerson didn’t waste time.“How is he? What did the doctor say? Is he going to be alright”Tina, trying her best not to cry, answered, “They haven’t told us anything. Ever since we got here, nobody has told us anything. I don’t know how my son is doing. I’m so worried. I just hope he gets out of all of this alive.”Eric reach
The car grew silent again, but of course, Rita couldn't just let the moment be. She decided to shift her attention from me to Emerson.“Mr. Blackwind—oh, I’m sorry,” she started awkwardly.Emerson didn’t miss a beat. “It’s fine, Rita. We’re family. You can call me Emerson.”I couldn’t help myself. “Or, Dad. You can call him father.” I gave a low laugh, the kind that dripped with sarcasm. If she was going to call him Dad, how exactly was she supposed to refer to me?Classic!The thought amused me more than it should have. I started laughing again. Rita shot me a glare, but then she straightened her posture, composed herself, and chose to ignore me. Smart choice.“What do you think happened to Trey?” she asked, her voice suddenly filled with curiosity and concern. “I mean, he was fine one minute, and then he just fell, and there was blood everywhere. Do you think it could be… a disease? Maybe he fainted from something else? Maybe he had a heart Attack Or an allergy to the food?”She li
The car was silent as we made our way to the hospital. The hum of the tyres on the road was a dull soundtrack to my chaotic thoughts. 'Oh God, please let Trey survive. Please don’t let anything bad happen. Please, just this once, let everything be okay.'The prayer looped in my head, unspoken but desperate, until a voice broke through to the present.“Mina? Mina?”I didn’t respond. I was too lost in my thoughts.“Mina!” Rita’s voice sharpened, as she shouted.I turned my head sharply toward her.“What do you want, Rita?”“Have you seen Mom? Have you talked to her lately?”I scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping before I could stop it.“Of course, you know I haven’t. You’re the one who talks to her all the time. You’re her bestie, aren’t you? You’d know if I had because she tells you everything.”Rita continued. “I think you should call Mom. At least check in on her. Whatever happened between the two of you—she’s still your mother.”Another scoff, sharper this time.“After what she said at