LOGIN“You asked to see me, sir?” I said as I walked into Dexter’s office.Dexter was already back behind his desk, flipping through a file as though the conversation I’d overheard had never happened.If I hadn’t heard those few sentences with my own ears, I would’ve believed nothing had happened at all.Madison, on the other hand, was still sitting comfortably in the chair opposite him, one leg crossed over the other while scrolling through her phone.The moment she saw me, she smiled before continuing to scroll.I returned a polite smile.“Mia,” Dexter looked up briefly.“Yes, sir?”He slid one file aside and picked up another.“I won’t be available for my three o’clock appointment.”I pulled out my notepad immediately.“Should I move it to tomorrow?”“No.” He shook his head. “Reschedule it for five o’clock instead.”“Alright, sir.”I quickly wrote it down.“Anything else?”“You can—”“Wait.”Madison suddenly interrupted him.She reached into her designer handbag and pulled out a cream-colo
I quietly closed Dexter’s office door behind me.What was wrong with me today?First, I almost exposed myself over a bottle of perfume.Then I somehow ended up asking Dexter questions about a woman from his past.And to make things worse…I was actually curious about the answer.I rubbed my forehead lightly.“Athena…” I muttered under my breath. “Focus.”Why was I so eager to know about that woman from his past?Was I hoping I was the girl he was talking about?I quickly shook my head. I was just curious.Nothing else.I made my way toward the staff pantry.Unlike Dexter, Madison didn’t look like someone who would ask for black coffee first thing in the morning.She seemed more like the orange juice type.I opened the refrigerator and stared at the different drinks arranged inside.Orange juice.Apple juice.Sparkling water.Different soft drinks were neatly arranged on the shelves.After standing there for almost a minute, I finally picked up a bottle of freshly squeezed orange juice
The elevator doors opened with a soft ding.I stepped out, balancing Dexter’s breakfast pack in my hands.“I wish I had slept more,” I whispered to myself as I walked toward his office.Blake and I came back home late yesterday after the twins’ entrance ceremony. He even had to spend the night at the cottage because it was too late for Jim to drive back home. He should be awake by now.On the other hand, I had to wake up early to come to work and get Dexter’s breakfast.I wondered if he was already at the office.Talking about Dexter…I remembered how embarrassing yesterday was.Hiding behind shopping bags.Running around with potato chips covering my face.Then somehow ending up glued to Dexter’s chest like a frightened koala.I squeezed my eyes shut for a brief second.“Oh God… I wish I could wipe yesterday out of my memory.”Dexter’s office window was open, which meant he was already inside.I glanced at the clock. He was early, though I wasn’t late either.I reached his office door
We pulled into a quiet picnic area just outside the main campus. Unlike the busy parts of the university, this place was peaceful. Only a few wooden tables and chairs sat beneath tall trees, and the evening breeze made everything feel calm. “This place is beautiful,” I murmured. “Told you,” June grinned. We got out and started unloading the coolers, shopping bags, drinks, and food. “Aww…”July’s eyes widened.“You actually brought all this?” “There’s no way we can finish everything,” June added I smiled.“The leftovers can go to your friends.” “Athena…”She hugged me again.“You’re the best.” A few minutes later, everything had been arranged neatly on the table. Blake connected a small speaker and played nice songs. The atmosphere instantly became lighter. I started serving everyone. “Here.”I handed June her plate of fried rice and grilled chicken. Then handed July and Blake theirs. “Mmmmmm…”The twins groaned after their first bite. “We’ve missed your cooking. They don’t
The second the automatic doors slid shut behind us, I let out a long breath.One I felt like I’d been holding for the last ten minutes.“I almost died,” I muttered.Blake didn’t answer immediately.He unlocked the SUV, placed the shopping bags inside the back seat, then leaned against the car.The next thing I knew…He started laughing. He laughed so hard his stomach hurt.I blinked at him.“…You’re laughing?”He tried to stop but Failed miserably.“I’m sorry.” He cleared his throat before another laugh escaped him. “I really am trying.”I folded my arms.“Blake, really? My life flashed before my eyes.”“Stop it. Don’t say it like that.” He shook his head, still trying to hold back his laughter. “What were you thinking when you held a potato chip pack over your face?”“What was I supposed to do?”I threw my hands in the air.“Stand there and wait until he saw me?”“Trust me, I had a plan.”“Well, I was too impatient to wait.”“I get your point,” he admitted. “But when you held onto his sh
Athena silently begged for the conversation to end.She didn’t care who gave up first.Blake or Dexter.Either one would do.Because with every passing second, she became more certain that something would go wrong.She adjusted her position on the floor. Her legs were already beginning to ache from squatting for so long. At this rate, she was afraid they would give out before either man walked away.Blake… don’t let him get into your head, she prayed silently.Neither of them looked ready to back down. Each wanted to have the last word.But perhaps the universe finally decided to pity her because the next words that came out of Blake’s mouth filled her with relief.“I would’ve loved to continue this conversation with you,” Blake said smoothly, adjusting the watch on his wrist. “But unlike some people, I’m actually busy.”“So am I,” Dexter replied immediately.“And please…”His gaze drifted toward the woman still crouching on the floor. He pointed directly at Athena.“Advise your little
Dexter must have realized it too because I noticed he suddenly cleared his throat and his face returned to its usual frown.That was better.For a second there I was beginning to forget who he was.A woman who appeared to be in her sixties walked toward us with a smile.I recognized her immediately
“Isn’t this the girl you said you fired?”Cassie’s voice echoed around the house.“Cassie, I’m right in front of you. You don’t have to be that loud,” Dexter said calmly, not even looking bothered by her reaction.I had barely spent two days at this company and somehow I was already becoming a sour
I gripped the steering wheel tighter, silently cursing myself for almost ruining everything.Blake had warned me about mistakes like this.I couldn’t afford to think like Athena Mallway anymore.Every decision I made, every place I went, and every word that came out of my mouth had to belong to Mia
Six o’clock on the dot, I was parked outside the company waiting for Dexter. Every time the company doors opened, my head snapped toward the entrance. My fingers tapped nervously against the steering wheel. I couldn’t even remember the last time I drove. If not for Blake forcing me to practice







