Jenny flipped her hair with deliberate flair for the rest of the staff, casting sidelong glances from across the open office space where she sat behind her desk.
The hum of the air conditioner carried a mix of colognes and citrus from the office diffuser.
She basked in the attention her new, expensive hair extensions were drawing, a quiet grin tugging at her lips as she scrolled through her screen
Tilting her head, she stole a glance at Maria's office through the glass walls—still empty.
Then she checked her wristwatch.
It wasn't eight yet, so Maria was probably still on her way.
Jenny felt a little bad for her. With her car gone, taking cabs could be so stressful—especially with the predictable surge on Monday mornings.
Still, she was excited to tell Maria how her weekend had gone.
"Good morning everyone."
Maria's voice carried through the space, warm and clear. Jenny lit up instantly.
As greetings echoed back, Maria made her way toward her office.
Jenny paused her scrolling, lifting her head—and let out a soft whistle, caught off guard for a moment by the elegance of the grey fitted dress hugging Maria's frame, her brown hair in waves, and bold red lipstick choice.
Maria glanced her way with a smile as she tapped her card against the door.
"You look lovely as well, Jenny."
"Expect me in five," Jenny replied, returning the smile with a playful flip of her hair.
"Okay," Maria said with a light laugh before stepping inside.
Jenny turned back to her screen, finishing what she had been doing while giving Maria time to settle. She was quietly pleased by the shift in her—there was a new confidence, subtle but undeniable, that seemed to come with the project endorsement.
The CEO's recognition was already working its magic, and Jenny loved it.
She pulled out a small mirror, checking her face once last check before standing.
She flipped her hair once more—just enough to draw a few glances—before heading toward Maria's office.
The door was already slightly ajar for her.
Jenny slipped inside, closing it behind her with a grin, her body language light, playful.
"Looking like you're ready for a promotion this morning," she said, dropping into the guest chair across the desk.
"Thank you, again," Maria replied setting her laptop down. "Your hair looks amazing."
"And expensive," Jenny added, leaning forward. "Wanna guess how I got it?"
"Spare me from guessing on a Monday morning," Maria said—then paused as she opened her laptop, recognition flashing across her face.
Jenny's smile widened.
"Mr Mark?" Maria asked, her surprise barely contained.
"I knew you'd get it," Jenny said, leaning back with quiet satisfaction. She had wanted Maria to know—to further prove her point and reinforce the CEO's obvious interest.
"H-How?"
"Well…You didn't stay long enough at the afterparty to find out."
A faint shadow crossed Maria's face.
Then she leaned in, lowering her voice. "Did you sleep with him?"
Jenny smiled, slow and knowing.
"Even if I did you wouldn't know until I told you, would you?"
Maria leaned back, gaze dropping to her laptop. "Let's not bring me into this."
"Come on Maria," Jenny said, folding her arms loosely. "Don't you think you've hidden enough from me already?"
Maria exhaled, lifting her face again, feigning annoyance—but Jenny caught a flicker of uncertainty beneath it.
"I wasn't going to open up first about my office business if you don't tell me yours," Jenny pressed.
"Fine," Maria sighed. "But it's not what you think…and I need advice."
Jenny leaned forward immediately, interest sharpening her expression.
"Spiill, I'm so ready to hear it. This is so deliciously complicated."
Maria looked away, her voice softer now.
"Mr Miles is…very forward."
"Oh my! You mean that ridiculously attractive man can't keep his hands to himself?"
"My God, Jenny," Maria snapped lightly, amazed at Jenny's words. "Do you have to be that explicit?"
Jenny shrugged, unapologetic. "Forward men are usually not that attractive. And if they are, it's because they're taken."
"Wow," Maria rolled her eyes. "That information makes my problems feel better."
"Well, in your case, it's a problem," Jenny said. "Most people would kill to have this kind of problem."
"You don't understand how deep this is," Maria said, pouting faintly. "I shouldn't have accepted the project sponsorship."
"But honestly, that was a very smart way to get to you," Jenny replied.
Maria frowned. "Can we be serious for a second?"
"Oh come on—you couldn't have possibly kissed him the minute he got to Mapla," Jenny said, watching Maria carefully as her gaze suspiciously shifted away.
"My God!" Jenny gasped. "And you were judging me over hair extensions?"
"I wasn't judging," Maria said quickly, lifting her hands in surrender. "He's the CEO, I couldn't exactly say…say no."
Jenny laughed. "That's not the reason. That man is fine and your body agreed before your brain did."
Maria dropped her hands. "He's also a jerk."
"Really? He seems perfectly charming to me,"
"Not to me."
"Especially to you," Jenny countered, leaning in. "Tell me what he did to make you so mad?"
"Daniel returned my car over the weekend," Maria sighed. "He's been really nice lately."
Indifference crept into Jenny's mood. "Please don't spoil this with that nepo baby opportunist. He's so out of place in all this. You and him were never a match."
"They're brothers," Maria said, rubbing her forehead. "And now Mr Miles wants me to end things with Daniel."
"No way," Jenny blinked. "You weren't kidding about the forward part. Does he want to date you?"
"I don't know," Maria admitted. "He barely lets me think for myself. He's like..a more refined version of Daniel."
Jenny leaned back. "Well, they are brothers."
Maria shot her a look.
"What about Mr Mark?" Maria asked instead.
"It was a shopping date," Jenny said casually. "He's a little shy."
Maria paused and stared. "That's it?"
"For now," Jenny said. "We agreed to speak more often over the phone. My situation isn't that complicated—the more reason why I'm jealous of you."
Maria rolled her eyes, disappointed. "Yeah, whatever."
"Still want my advice?" Jenny asked, leaning back in.
Silence. Then Maria nodded. "Yeah."
"Good," Jenny leaned in further, voice low. "If you refuse Mr Miles, I'm certain this project might collapse and honestly this is your brightest since you came into this company."
Maria placed her hand on her chest. "What?"
"Accept it or leave it," Jenny said. "You've already crossed a line—just not with the right person. Now you have a chance to fix that."
Maria's expression dimmed. "Don't you think Daniel would suspect?"
"Daniel suspecting is the least of your worries," Jenny replied. "The media will get nosy. Reputation is fragile here."
Maria's shoulders sagged. Jenny reached across the table, taking her hand.
"I didn't expect you to open up like this," she said gently. "But at this point, you might have to stop caring so much about what anyone thinks."
"I'm so lost," Maria whispered.
"No you're not," Jenny said firmly. "The sooner you accept this as a rebirth into a new stage of your life, the better. Going back isn't an option."
**
Christian adjusted his company t-shirt as he pushed the trolley of magazines down the administrative corridor.
He felt proud of himself for convincing Gina to let him come up here—to advertise a slot for a lucky member of GOATASTE for Crystal's staff night TV feature.
He smirked. He was going to be a very competent reporter with ideas like this.
"Hey, boy," a man's voice called from an open office to his right.
Christian stopped, tensing briefly before turning with a polite smile toward the speaker.
Two middle-aged men sat inside. One with a dyed hairline, wore a wine velvet suit that fit a little too tightly as he sat behind an executive desk.
The other, bald, leaned back slightly in a guest chair across the table, dressed in a well-fitted black silk suit.
"Good morning, sirs," Christian greeted.
"I presume those are the magazines," the man behind the desk said.
"Yes sir," Christian replied.
"Come in."
Christian wheeled the trolley in, careful and quietly.
"Give me one, the man said.
Christian handed over a glossy copy.
The man took it, not flipping past the front page, his expression turning irritated before tossing it across the desk.
"We now enable prostitutes for projects," he scoffed. "Like I thought—that Maria girl made the front page with the CEO."
Christian's ears stood on end. Wasn't Maria Miss Crystal's childhood friend?
The other man picked the magazine and chuckled. "She's really using those assets well."
"I mean, it's obvious," the first man said, gesturing dismissively at the magazine.
"I hope people can see through this facade soon," the second added.
"When she saw that Daniel wasn't entertaining her manipulation, she switched to Miles," the first man continued bitterly. "I'm disappointed in him for letting her get this far."
Inside, Christian felt a surge of excitement. The information thrilled him, though a small part of him felt bad for Maria—she had been kind to Miss Crystal, even if it had been part of a plan.
"These types of girls only destroy reputations," the second man said. "Nothing more."
The first man gave a short wave to Christian. "You may leave."
"Yes, sir."
Christian turned, guiding the trolley out.
As he moved down the corridor to the main staff space, excitement bubbled inside him again. The men had spoken with uncertainty—but they sounded convincing.
And like the saying went—
There was always an atom of truth in every rumor.