LIANA We reached a really nice restaurant. After placing our orders, we began eating our starters with light conversations. “I don’t understand one thing,” Zaylen started, “Why didn’t James break up with you if he liked Lara?” “Apparently, he claims to love me and Lara, both of us,” I let out. Zaylen had a look of disgust for a moment before rolling his eyes. “How stupid can one be?” he murmured. I continued eating as I said, “You know, James’s dad left his family in a huge debt. He told me he had a really hard time growing up with his mother and sister. There were days where his family had to starve and he couldn't afford to buy nice clothes. So he worked really hard to get into a good university and land a good job. When I got to know about it, I felt so sad. So I ended up offering to help him out.” Zaylen’s eyes lingered at me in amusement. “You decided to help him financially? That guy really lost a gem.” “Well, I told him there was no need for interest and he could pay me
LIANA “You still didn’t tell me what we should do with Lara,” Zaylen pointed out. “Right. We need to find more information on her because Lara isn’t the type to be hurt so easily. Even if she lost her job, she would manage to survive that somehow. She has ways.” “Then how about we target her family like James’s?” he suggested. “Lara doesn’t even have a family. She grew up with a distant relative and left that house when she became eighteen. That’s how she always garnered sympathy from others,” I informed him, and he nodded, understanding the scenario. “In that case, I know a good private investigator. I will ask that person to do a background check on Lara. And just to be safe, James as well,” he stated. “Okay, thank you. I don't know how I would have managed to dig information on Lara, otherwise.” “I told you that I would help you. This is the least I can do for you since you have already taken it upon yourself to handle James.” “I would still like some help if James bothers
LIANA My phone chimed in. When I checked, it was a text from Zaylen. Zaylen: Are you okay? It’s been a long time. I stared at the text momentarily. I sighed, realizing I had no option. Zaylen was my last resort. Now I have to deal with such a day where I have to inform my boss that I got my period but no tampons. Liana: Zaylen, I am stuck in the restroom. I got my period and I have no tampons. I finally typed and sent the message after sucking in a deep breath, trying to digest my embarrassment. Zaylen left my message on seen. Probably he was dumbstruck, not knowing what to reply to this text? Was it a bad decision? After some time, I saw he was typing something. Zaylen: Don’t worry. Just wait. I rolled my eyes at his text. Saying ‘Don’t worry’ wouldn’t magically disappear my worries. That’s so stupid! How will he understand what I am going through? What is he even gonna do? Did he think if I waited a few minutes, my periods would be gone? I tried to wait patiently,
LIANA As I stepped out of my apartment, my mind already preoccupied with the day ahead, a colorful bouquet caught my eye. Its presence was vibrant against the dull backdrop of the hallway, which instantly soured my mood. I recognized it immediately, even before my gaze drifted to the attached note. James. The note said, “I am sorry, Liana. I love you. Forga-ive me.” I rolled my eyes. He didn’t even bother to write a new note. That’s how sorry he was. Wow! God, he didn’t even know what my favorite flower was. That’s why he had sent this variety of flowers. He thought I wouldn’t catch that? I swept the flowers from their perch and deposited them unceremoniously into the nearby trash bin. No apology could erase the pain he had caused, nor could it erase the betrayal. If he was in front of me, I swear to God, I would have fed him the flowers and choked him to death. I slid into the driver's seat of my car, the engine humming to life. As I started driving, my phone rang instantly.
LIANA“Since I was so blind before,” I added, “I had decided to loan out some to James. I hope that clears everything out.” Zaylen stayed quiet for a few seconds after my confession. Then he asked, “Then why are you working in this company? That too, at such an ordinary post?” I had anticipated this question. "I want to be independent," I confessed, the words spilling forth in a rush of honesty, "to prove to myself and to my dad that I'm capable of standing on my own two feet. I want to gain experience, to learn from the ground up, before I even think about stepping into his business." There was a soft hum on the other end of the line, a sound that carried with it a depth of understanding I hadn't expected. "You're admirable, Liana," Zaylen said, his voice tinged with genuine respect, "I just joined the company as the CEO right after graduating. But you, you're choosing to carve your own path, to forge your own destiny. That takes real courage." His words washed over me like a s
LIANAAs I stepped into the familiar hustle and bustle of the office, my thoughts still lingered on the conversation with Zaylen. But before I could fully immerse myself in the day's tasks, a voice sliced through the chatter, sending a shiver down my spine. "Liana," James called out, his tone a sickening blend of remorse and desperation, "did you get my flowers?" I turned to face him, my expression impassive despite the tumult of emotions churning within me — mostly rage. "Yes, I did," I replied curtly, my voice tinged with a cold edge, "and I threw them into the trash where they belong." His face fell, a mask of hurt and disbelief. "Liana, please," he pleaded, reaching out to touch my arm, "can we talk? Just for a few minutes?" I sighed, relenting to his request with a begrudging nod. Leading him to a secluded corner of the office, I turned to face him, my arms crossed tightly over my chest. "What do you want, James?" I asked, my voice clipped. He swallowed hard, his eyes dartin
LIANA As I made my way through the bustling office during lunchtime, the events of the morning still weighed heavily on my mind. I noticed that James took a half-day leave after my ultimatum. Serves him right! Let him struggle now. As I approached the break room, Lara intercepted me with a bright smile. "Hey, Liana! Want to grab lunch together?" she chirped, her voice filled with warmth. If I was the previous Liana, I would have never guessed that it was all fake. But now I know. "Thanks, Lara, but I'm going to eat with Sara and Kiara today," I replied, my tone polite but distant. Lara's smile faltered slightly. "Oh, okay. Then maybe next time." With a nod of farewell, I made my way to the table where Sara and Kiara were already seated. “Why are you still talking politely to that Lara?” Sara grumbled. “I hate her, ugh.” “I know, right? She deserves to rot in hell,” Kiara added. I smiled at their words. Is that how actual friends behave? Combinedly hate one person even t
LIANA “Why? What's on the office page? And why is our boss on the office page in the first place?” I furrowed my eyebrows. Zaylen twitched his lips. “Jordan showed me.” “Jordan needs to be kicked out of the page then. He's a spy, spilling all the tea to our boss,” I retorted as I took out my phone to check the forum. He chuckled. “He will find a way to creep his way back in. He is extremely resourceful.” “I expect no less. He's our scary boss's assistant—” I paused the moment I saw the latest post about a cheating story about two colleagues from the marketing department from an anonymous person. A gasp escaped my lips as I read the post. It cleared up everything that Lara used to spread lies about me too. Although names were not explicitly mentioned, everyone guessed the people involved anyway, and it was the latest tea of the office. Oh, my God. Who made it public? Sara and Kiara! Of course! “It must have those two,” I grumbled, feeling steam coming out of my ears. “W