EIGHT- U

CY'S

d, her brows drew together an

began, but was cut off

ut, waving enthusiastically w

replied togethe

est intern in the company, yet somehow the most p

here. I just came by for a quick coffe

ain," Mrs. Cole repli

nternship goin

"And guess what department I've

? Congratulations,

e way, how's your

be a year old in two months

st she helped distract Mrs. Cole fr

pulling out her phone. As she showed us the photo, we cou

to return to her tasks, leaving Mrs. Cole and me alone ag

y earlier." Her words pulled me back to the moment bef

wanted to tell you not

n't I rewrite it?" she asked,

ents," I explained. "Just switch t

nd reject it again," she sai

actually read the pro

ou know that?" she aske

replied. "Just t

s out, I'll just tell him I accidentally copied and

ding her a small device. She looke

busive or inappropriate, record it. Get it all on tape. I heard from the other colleagues that he

nk you, Lucy. But I'm still co

on is in two days," I said with a reassuring

be the one to le

w

, Mrs. Cole had submitted the same proposal-no edits, just

copies and distribute them to everyone for tomorro

he walked out of his office, she cau

ure said it all:

t read th

ever

.. we ha

day, not even when he was sick. I couldn't help but wonder if something was wrong. But t

as I approached my door, I froze. Dav

" I asked, wary. He smile

t such a crime to v

Wrapped up before closing time," he replied casually, holding up a bottle of win

out the stock market. For now, I had to keep playing the part. We went inside. I poured the wine, an

hnology?" I asked, ste

fast. You should consider investing in t

ew the company would crash soon-and take him down with it. Hone

tly, "it's been ages sin

turned my face, but he pressed on, forcing the kiss anyway. I pushed back, bu

he betrayal-rushed in like a flood. I remembered that final push that ended my life.

onfusion. Then he unzipped his trousers. "Don't tell me you didn't

fear collided as I stepped back. I shouted i

confused by

d move or respond,

nk

ed it. The timing couldn't have been better. I took the pizza fr

me?" I said firmly, watching as Dave

y annoyed. "I wanted to

o tonight. Maybe some other time,"

uld say another word, I pushed him gently but firmly and shut the door in his face. "Lu

ed out from inside. "I'm rea

ck or something? T

some time," I

s a brie

enc

. "Fine, I'm leaving. But I don't know what's wrong with you the

ding as he muttered to himself. "Honestly, I don't even kno

za. I stayed there for nearly an hour, haunted by the

ed me. And he wouldn't love Suzy e

my shoulders. I took a long, warm shower, letting the water rinse away the heavin

ber glow of streetlights, laughter echoing faintly in the d

crisp against my skin, and for the first time in a while, I felt like I could breat

inctively-and

Mich

soft hum of his headlights. There he was, in all his quiet confiden

n I realized. But then the thoug

he doi

why