ps and the soft hum of the overhead lights. Bella remained in her seats, hand restin

at nin

ad like an unwanted melod

ng her things with practiced precision. Her movement we

the flawless presentation, ensured every metric and grap

promises Samuel had made. The warmth in his voice w

and subtle glances with the heiress of their former r

e didn't

m slowly, heels tapping s

ing towards it, she veered to the restroom. She needed a m

e mirror at the restroom, h

to will away the burn behind

ersation. She felt confused either t

an - but because he didn't even have the dec

a word about th

as anything more than a secreta

e cup to her lips and stared out

nfident, like a woman used to getting what she wa

e meeting? Or had it been spontaneous invitat

ought soured

when a light knock at h

issing out. Mr Chase arranged a little celebration meal for the entire department.

o reset her expression

nks I'll be the

led and d

how she felt, she wouldn't let the staff see it, not when they were all

packed with team members savoring the catered spread- trays of gourmet meals, sp

, greeting employees, patting backs, noddin

mingling politely, sip

yes once- but it was

best team I've ever worked with," he said, "Synertek's success is be

d for a moment, Bella

ame the ho

tely, I won't be able to stay long.

heart

r enga

tly, just enough for him to hear, "but what about our dinner?

idn't ev

he said coolly, his tone clipped but polite.

– nothing more – a

roat as she watched him walk out of the room l

ai

nched tightly a

laughter, and praise–but to Be

********

ith authority. "I would've expected more punctualit

links as he slid into th

to handle wi

ation. Praise. Applause. All well deserve

hone buzzed in the table. Bella

slightly, but he didn

persisted." Her smile didn't reach her eyes. "If it's th

l hes

th feigned concern. "Or maybe.... it's

id no

or his phone –but instead of

hum. "Good. I'd hate for th

********

apartment, staring at her phone in

.it wa

ed, her voice cracking, "he turne

ouder than any argument. Her eyes swelled as she clutched t

n,

the floor with a crash. Next was the framed photo of her and Samuel at the early days of Syne

raw and loud. "You've said I was your future.... Y

g for a bottle of wine and pulling off the sh

o hold her in the silence of the office after midnight, the way he

ld wasn't s

watchin

r at

d more wine, letting her head fa

*************

leaving behind untouched desser

nd was play behind th

sleek leather folder. With graceful precisio

with a raised br