Racheal's POV
My hands trembled slightly as I gripped the edges of my desk, trying to steady myself. The moment I stepped out of Matt's office, I felt like I'd walked straight into a freezing storm. Humiliation burned hot in my chest, but beneath that, there was something colder. Something darker.
Resentment.
I had no idea what his problem was, but it was clear that whatever connection we once had was long gone. The boy who once held my hands under the stars and promised me forever had turned into a cold-hearted b*st*rd.
And if he didn't recognize me? Fine.
I didn't recognize him either.
From this moment on, he was just my boss. A cruel one at that. So, I would do what I came here to do. Work.
Nothing more.
I forced myself to focus, inhaling deeply before settling at my desk. I stared at my computer screen, my fingers hovering over the keyboard.
"Come on, Racheal. Just do your d*mn job."
---
Barely five minutes had passed when I heard the sound of hurried footsteps approaching.
No, no, no, no.
I recognized the voice instantly, Dylan.
My heart pounded as I remembered Matt's warning.
"On no account should I ever catch you talking to him or even looking at him."
I didn't know why Matt cared, and frankly, I didn't want to find out. But I also wasn't about to get fired because of some ridiculous rule. So, before Dylan could see me, I did the only thing I could think of. I ducked under my desk.
My knees hit the floor as I squeezed myself into the cramped space, holding my breath. Maybe, just maybe, he'd think I left for lunch or...
"Racheal?"
D*mn it.
I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping that if I didn't answer, he'd leave.
A second later, I saw his shoes stop right in front of my desk.
"Uh... are you seriously hiding from me?" His voice held clear amusement.
I bit my lip, staying silent.
I felt movement. Then, before I could react, he crouched down and peeked under the desk.
The moment our eyes met, he grinned.
"Wow," he said, clearly holding back laughter. "This is... something."
Heat rushed to my face.
I groaned, knowing there was no escape now. Slowly, I crawled out from under the desk, brushing off my skirt.
"Hey," I mumbled, not meeting his gaze.
He leaned against my desk, arms crossed, looking entirely too amused. "So... what was that about?"
I cleared my throat, quickly thinking of an excuse. "I, uh... dropped my pen."
His grin widened. "Right. And instead of picking it up, you decided to just... live under your desk forever?"
I sighed, rubbing my temple. "It's been a long day, Dylan."
He laughed, shaking his head. "Alright, alright. I won't press you on it... for now." Then, his expression turned slightly more serious. "Actually, I came back because I had forgotten something."
I frowned. "Oh? What?"
"My phone number."
I blinked. "Your... what?"
He smirked. "Yeah. I forgot to give you my number earlier. And, you know, you forgot to me yours."
I swallowed hard, suddenly feeling trapped.
"I—uh, I don't think—"
"Oh, come on," he said, tilting his head. "It's just a number. You do have a phone, right?"
I nodded hesitantly. "I do, but—
"So, there's no problem," he cut in smoothly. "Here." He pulled out his phone and handed it to me. "Put your number in."
I stared at the device, hesitating. I wanted to refuse. I really did. But the way he was looking at me, so expectant, so genuinely interested, made it ridiculously difficult to say no.
I stole a quick glance around the office, Matt was nowhere in sight.
Screw it.
I took the phone, quickly typing in my number before handing it back. The moment he saw it, he burst out in joy.
"Yes! Finally!" He did a little victorious fist pump, making me laugh despite myself.
Then, before I could react, he grabbed my hand, lifted it, and kissed my palm.
My heart stopped.
Heat rushed up my arm as his lips brushed against my skin. Warm, soft, and confident.
I stared at him, completely stunned.
With a wink, he grinned. "I'll text you later, beautiful."
And with that, he turned and dashed out of the office like a man on a mission. While I stood frozen, my palm still tingling where he kissed it.
---
I barely had time to process what just happened before I heard a voice behind me.
"Oh my God."
I turned sharply to see one of my coworkers, Leah, from accounting, staring at me, wide-eyed.
"Did I just see what I think I saw?" she asked, her mouth slightly open.
I quickly straightened. "Uh—"
She gasped dramatically, "Are you flirting with Mr. Parker?"
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "It's not what you think."
She smirked. "I think you're seducing him."
I rolled my eyes. "Please."
She crossed her arms, still smirking. "That little act of yours may work on some people, but I see right through you."
I exhaled slowly, refusing to engage. Instead, I turned back to my desk and focused on my computer screen.
Leah scoffed when she saw I wasn't going to entertain her. "Fine. Don't say I didn't warn you."
With that, she walked off.
I shook my head, ignoring the frustration bubbling inside me. I had way bigger things to worry about than office gossip. Like how the hell I was going to keep Dylan at arm's length. And, more importantly...
How I was going to survive working under Matt Sterling.
---
I had just managed to calm my thoughts and refocus on the spreadsheet in front of me when I heard the unmistakable sound of heels clicking against the tiled floor again. I didn't even need to look up to know it was Leah.
I kept my eyes fixed on my screen, hoping she'd take the hint and walk past.
She didn't.
Instead, she stopped beside my desk, crossing her arms with that same sly smirk she had worn earlier.
"You know, you're really not making any friends here," she said casually, like we were just two coworkers chatting over coffee.
I didn't respond.
She waited, probably expecting me to bite.
When I didn't, she sighed dramatically and leaned in a little closer. "Look, Racheal... I'm trying to help you here."
I blinked slowly, still silent.
She huffed. "You think Dylan flirting with you is cute? You think that's something to brag about?"
At that, I looked up briefly, my tone calm. "I never said anything to brag about."
Her eyes narrowed a fraction. "Right. Because you're the quiet, innocent type. Always the ones to watch out for."
I went back to typing.
Leah stepped a little closer. "Look, I don't know who you think you are, but girls like you don't last long here. Especially not when you start drawing the wrong kind of attention."
I glanced up again. "You done?"
She blinked at my bluntness.
Then, with a sharp smile, she said, "Just know you've been marked."
I frowned. "Marked?"
She nodded slowly. "Matt doesn't like drama at work. And you? You're drama." She gave a quick glance around, lowering her voice. "He doesn't tolerate women who stir things up. Dylan is his best friend and might be having fun now, but once he gets bored, guess who's going to be the first to take the fall?"
I stared at her, but this time, my face gave nothing away.
She leaned even closer. "Just... watch yourself. You're on thin ice, and if Matt doesn't cut you off, someone else will. Trust me, you've made enemies already."
With that, she turned on her heel and walked off, her presence leaving a bitter aftertaste behind. I sat still for a moment, staring blankly at the screen. So that's what this place was.
A minefield.
I didn't come here for drama, or attention, or some ridiculous office war over some guy. I came here to work, to survive, to keep my head down, and to rebuild the life I lost. And now... I had a target on my back.
Perfect.
But I wouldn't give them what they wanted. Let them whisper, let them warn. I'd learned long ago how to shut the world out when it turned cruel. And if Matt Sterling and his people wanted to test me, so be it.
I returned to my work without another word, lips set, eyes focused, and heart closed. Let them come. I wasn't going anywhere.