TER

s Olivia and Jasmine stepped into the café. Olivia heade

e drinks," O

extra strong. I need to rec

eir order. Just as she turned around, coffee

d instantly, splashing

. His broad frame towered over Olivia, and his eyes dark

d. "I-I'm so sorry! I

ed, stepping toward her. His presence was suffoc

t before she could, Jasmine's voice

hel

arply, his glare

ur shit over coffee? What, did it melt away the last two br

noyance. He took a step toward her.

tioning social skills. Unlike you, who probably crawled out of a sewer this morning

with anger. He raised a hand slightly,

hand. I dare you. But let me warn you-you lay a finger on me, and I'll mak

k, Olivia swore the air crackled. The man clenched his f

oice cut throu

Her.

nd Olivia followe

ga

nto the man, his expres

ver." With that, he turned and stormed out of

out a sha

her, his eyes searchi

d. "Yeah.

ightly before smirking.

surprised he

the way," he

a small, amused smile. "Finally

g toward the door, he added, "You've g

ghed. "Ap

ell, try to survive your morning

eaving Olivia standing there

smug smirk, grabbed their coffee cups and handed

d as they st

stled. "Dam

yes, sipping her co

d work, she exhaled dramatically. "But let's talk about me for a second. I swear I

Adrenaline. Or te

The moment he turned toward me, I sw

d. "You were

d dumb. I actually though

. "If he did, I would've th

d. "And then w

alked through the busy streets, the mor

unning a hand through her hair. "

at her. "You lo

atching in horror, and the next, I was yelling at a guy who could've probably crushed me with one ha

I noticed. You were t

ought I was gonna die for a second there. The moment he turned

Well, at least you

tupid to. My brain had already signed the 'fi

ng too. The weight of the moment earlier faded as t

her head. "Never again. Next ti

d an eyebrow

y not. But if I get hit, you better throw

ing Jasmine lightly.

d. "And you lo

headed toward work, the mornin

doors. Phones rang incessantly, keyboards clicked furiously, and the hum of chatter filled the air. B

faces that seemed so much more on edge today. She couldn't help but feel the wei

via muttered under her brea

her with a smirk. "At le

fused for a moment. "Wait,

ously? Did you think the 'corpor

ing here. Not only am I stuck in this soul-sucking of

"It's not that bad. Besides, you're still get

y. "A paycheck doesn't ma

he office's unofficial gossip queen-was already making her way over, her

ou're ready for a fun day." She leaned in closer to Olivia's desk, lowering her voice dr

heart skipping a bea

is morning for breathing too loudly near his office." She looked over her shoul

h something more serious. "What's the deal with him today?

isn't good," she muttered, her mind raci

t a short fuse today. I'd say good luck, but...

in, her voice quiet but firm. "Is he waiting for you?" she asked, s

g for you. I heard from Dana-he's been pacing around

ment with him," she said, her voice almost too low

mind reeled. She could feel the weight of Maggie's words hanging in the air. Fired for breathing too loudly? She could

her. "You're gonna be fine. Just go in there, do y

ure about that." Her voice was shaky, barely above a w

s were clammy, her thoughts spinning out of control. She glanced over at Jasmine, who had gone unusually quie

e had said echoed in her head. Breathing too loudly. It sounded absurd, but the more

ten, you're not gonna get fired. You're good at wh

She had to believe that. She had to. But every step she took to

d out. Olivia was about to head toward her

standing by the door to HR. "Go

o choice now. She had to face whatever was comin