Chapter 1: Caught

LIANA

I sat at my desk in the bustling office, surrounded by the familiar sounds of typing, running coffee machines, phone calls, and coworkers chattering. 

My best friend, Lara, sat in the cubicle next to mine, her blonde hair pulled back into a messy bun as she focused on her computer screen. We had been friends since college, and I couldn't imagine working in this office without her. Her sweet, comforting words always made everything much easier.

I glanced up from my work and caught a glimpse of my diligent boyfriend, James, walking toward me. He flashed me a quick smile before disappearing into his own cubicle across the room. 

James and I had been dating for over seven months now, and I was grateful that he also worked in the same office. I have heard people say it's a bad idea to date your colleague, but I, on the other hand, thought it was nice to have a beloved someone to share lunch breaks and vent about work with. There were so many topics we could relate to, and we just never seemed to run out of topics to talk about.

As I continued typing away at my computer, all of a sudden, Jordan, the assistant of our boss, appeared and informed James in a monotone voice, “James, Boss called you to his cabin. He has some questions about the monthly analysis report you submitted.”

“Be right there, Jordan,” James responded.

In our office, all of us were on a first name basis, it was actually like a rule. As per our boss, being on a first name basis would create a close bond among the employees and it would be beneficial for the company to have strong and friendly teamwork. 

“Best of luck, James,” Lara teased while James rolled his eyes and walked away. 

I shot a sharp glare at Lara. 

“What?” she shrugged. “I just wished him luck.”

I shook my head with a subtle smile. “You know he hates Zaylen.”

“Who doesn’t?” she pointed out. “Zaylen is just rude and demanding. Things always have to go his way.”

“Leave it. Let’s focus on our work now,” I shushed her, and we went to our regular work. 

Soon, James returned and I could hear James muttering under his breath, most probably cursing Zaylen.

“What’s wrong, babe?” I couldn’t help but ask in concern.

Suddenly, James stood up from his desk and walked over to mine, an annoyed expression on his face. "Can you believe the nerve of Zaylen?" he said, practically seething. "He just assigned me a project that's due by the end of the day just because I made some minor mistakes on the monthly report. And the new project is not even my area of expertise!"

“The nerve of that guy!” Lara grumbled. 

I tried to handle the situation rationally. I knew that he could get easily worked up, so I tried to calm him down. "It'll be okay, babe," I said, placing a reassuring hand on his forearm. "You're smart and capable, so you got this."

James took a deep breath and nodded, his expression softening. "Thanks," he mumbled, leaning in to give me a quick peck. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

“Okay, enough of the PDA!” Lara interrupted, making us erupt into big, shy smiles. 

###

It was time to go home so I packed up my things. 

I glanced at Lara and hollered, “Hey, you ready to go?”

James was working overtime, no doubt, so there was no point asking him. 

Lara thought for a while and slapped her forehead dramatically. “Oh, shoot! I have a report to submit tomorrow morning. Liana, why don’t you go? I will go home once I wrap this up.”

“But how will you go alone? Your car is in repair,” I pointed out. 

“Don’t worry, babe,” James offered all of a sudden. “I can drop your dear friend, if it’s okay.”

“Oh, no, that's fine. I can just call a cab. I wouldn't want to inconvenience you, James,” Lara tried to deny.

“What inconvenience? He volunteered himself,” I responded with a hand on my hip. “And don't worry, he drives safely and he is a gentleman. He will get you home in one piece,” I added lightly with a playful smile on my face.

Lara fidgeted, showing her hesitation.

I shook my head and patted her shoulder. “Hey, just take the lift from him, okay?”

“But how can I have your boyfriend—”

“Hey, shush. Not a word more. I trust you,” I told her softly.

Lara finally gave up and smiled at me.

“Alright, then all’s sorted.” I took my purse. “See you guys tomorrow. Good luck working over-time!”

I took the elevator and got into the basement directly. Nearing my car, I looked for the car keys in my purse, only to find they weren't there. I first examined from outside whether I clumsily left the keys inside or not, but that wasn't the case.

“Where are my car keys? Did I leave them on my table?” I mumbled, still unsure. But it was better to check. 

So I decided to return back to the office. 

When I got in with my office ID card, the bullpen was fully dark, which was weird. Because Lara and James were supposed to be working overtime, right? So how can it be dark? Did somebody turn them off by mistake?

Shrugging off, I went toward the switchboard and turned on the lights. 

The moment the lights came on, the scenario in front of me was something I never expected to see. I was shocked—no, no. To say I was shocked was an understatement. 

I was traumatized.

Lara and James were making out—to be precise, having sex and enjoying their time. James was deep inside Lara, as both of them had clothes only on their upper body. 

Not only that, both of them were doing it ON my desk!

When they saw the room getting brightened, they paused and looked at me in horror. 

Lara and James had color drained off their faces as I stood frozen.

“Lay—Liana…” James mumbled as Lara pushed him off and started wearing her pants. 

James did the same and Lara approached me, but I took a step back. 

“Liana, it’s not what it looks like. I—” Lara was interrupted by me. 

“Not what it looks like?” I let out a humorless chuckle. “What am I? A child whom you are gonna mansplain some bullshit about how his dick accidentally went inside you?” 

James was also done so he tried to approach me and touch my arm, but I pulled it back. My eyes burned with the tears that threatened to pour out; however, I controlled them to my best ability. The last thing I wanted was to let these cheating scums have the pleasure of seeing me cry.

“Don't touch me with your dirty hands!” I spat out bitterly. “I just want to know one thing… how long?” 

“Lia—”

I gave a stern look to James, which silenced him. “How long has this been going on behind my back? I want to know!”

“Six months,” Lara uttered finally. 

Six months? Just a month after James and I started dating? 

“Wow,” I let out in disbelief. “My best friend and my boyfriend were sleeping together while both of you were smiling and laughing in my face. Was it fun? Did you have fun making a complete fool out of me?” 

Lara’s facial expression changed as she rolled her eyes. “Stop being so dramatic, Liana. I was just warming James’s bed cause you won't.” 

“I told you to give me some time!” I burst out accusingly at James, who lowered his gaze, feeling ashamed probably. “I am now heavenly thankful I didn't, though. Because you would've still cheated on me.”

“No, Liana, I wouldn—” he was roughly interrupted by Lara.

“So you just think of me as your personal slut, huh?” Lara's voice was sharp and vindictive—a tone I had never heard from her before. 

It was really laughable how easily I was deceived by her double-faced nature.

James gulped and shook his head immediately as he took her hand. “No. I love you.”

A proud smile appeared on Lara’s face as I was disgusted. “What?” 

“I love you as well,” James told me, his eyes pleading.

This time, my eyes grew as wide as saucers. “You love her and me both? Excuse me? What's wrong with you? Are you fucking okay in the head?”

“James, you don't actually love her, tell her,” Lara urged as I glanced at him with an angry, anticipating look. “Tell her she's the side chick, not me.”

James seemed to be stuck between us. He couldn't form words as beads of sweat formed on his forehead. 

“What is going on here?” came a familiar voice as the three of us turned in the direction of the voice. 

It was Zaylen, our boss.