Everyone looked at me with confusion drawn on their faces. The employees were staring at us through the glass door even though they couldn't hear a single word.
Nervousness kicked in me. There were so many eyes on me. My mouth sealed in fear. By the way Katherine narrowed her eyes at me, though, I knew I couldn't back out now. It would prove that she was right and I didn't want to see her devilish smirk again.
I gulped and looked straight into her eyes. "Yes, it was because of me," I repeated. "I asked Mike to keep our relationship a secret because I didn't want any rumors in the workplace. I don't like to mix my personal life with my professional life."
I risked a quick glance at Mike and John (whose lips were parted slightly and eyes were fixed on me) before shifting my eyes back to Katherine, who had a frown on h
"It happened in the heat of the moment. I didn't plan to do it." Mike gave a nonchalant shrug.I held back a heavy sigh. "Why are you making this conversation more uncomfortable?" I asked John, frowning."What?" John's forehead creased. "I'm making this uncomfortable? God, please save me. It was you guys who kissed and made me feel uncomfortable."I scoffed. "Don't tell me that made you uncomfortable. How do you explain making out with Rose right in front of me in our living room? You would be very comfortable—""Oh, shut up!""You shut up!" I yelled back."Enough!" Mike shoute
As I entered my apartment, my gaze fell on Rose and John, who were staring at me as they leaned against the couch in the living room.I didn't need to guess because I knew John very well. He had told her everything. The look on Rose's face confirmed it.I didn't have the energy to answer Rose's endless questions so I tried to ignore them and ambled towards my room. She rushed to me and blocked the door before I could enter my room, though.Her arms were crossed over her chest as she leaned against the doorframe."So, tell me, what's going on?" Rose's voice was filled with anxiety. Knowing that she wouldn't leave until I told her everything, I sighed. I walked to the couch and slumped on the opposite couch of John. Rose followed me and sat next to her boyfriend.
No matter how many times I asked Rose, she didn't tell me where we were going. Eventually, I gave up and just followed her.Twenty minutes later, we were in front of a mall that had recently opened. Rose had wanted to come here as soon as it opened but we'd both been too busy last week.In one week, my life had taken a roller-coaster ride. It'd all started when Mr. Daniel Nelson had invited Mike to the party. I had to admit, this "friends" thing with Mike was new and kind of interesting.Rose linked her arm with mine and scurried inside the mall while I teetered along with her. She stopped in abrupt motion, giving me a chance to breathe."I told you we were going to be late," Rose hissed, jutting her chin towards her left. "See? They're waiting for us."
I excused myself when Mike's gaze was piercing me. His eyes asked so many questions but his mouth was silent.The moment we got back to the house, I was going to kill Rose.Why does she need to tell everything to Mike? Doesn't she know that there are things I don't want him to know?I was standing in front of a mirror in the restroom. My eyes fixed on my reflection. "Okay," I told myself, trying to calm down. "You need to face him and talk to him. You can't let him misunderstand the situation. Go clear this up."My phone vibrated in my jeans pocket. I checked it to see a message from Rose.ROSE: Stop talking to yourself and come back. I'm not telling him anything.
He closed the distance between us and put both of his hands on the wall, caging me between them. He brought his face closer to mine. I squeezed my eyes shut. His warm breath fanned my cheeks, which increased my heart rate. Butterflies made their way into my stomach when his lips slightly brushed against my earlobe. A tingling sensation spread through my body. What is he going to do?"Good morning," he drawled.After a second, his breath disappeared. I opened my eyes to see him standing straight with his arms folded."G-good morning," I stammered and tilted my head to the left. I scolded myself for overthinking the way I had."What were you expecti
"You made it look like we slept together last night!" I yelled, cutting him off."First you scold me for your work hours and now you're yelling at me about this? Have you forgotten who I am?"Oh no, I yelled at him! How could I? Though we were pretending to be a couple, he was still my boss. I should have been more careful with my words."I'm sorry," I apologized."It's okay. I get what you are trying to say but I don't think we need to worry about it. If they misunderstand then let them. It's normal for couples to sleep together."It was normal for real couples.When I opened my mouth to protes
"Hey," Mike said through the phone.The grin on my face widened hearing his voice. "So, tell me, why aren't you tired?""Because I slept with you in the office," he said casually."Hey!" I shouted, a silent warning ringing in my voice. Mike must have found it funny because his soothing laugh brushed my ears."I meant we both fell asleep," he corrected."That's right. Don't. Mix. Words."He laughed again. The sound of his laughter made me smile for no reason. Jessie… You're going crazy."Oh, God." Rose's loud moans startled me. "John… Yes…"
ONE MONTH LATER"Do you guys have to leave tomorrow?" Rose asked as she took a slice of pizza, which was kept on a coffee table in the living room. She sat next to John on the couch.John and Mike came to visit us before they had to leave for a business trip. Mr. Nelson was going to launch his new product in Amsterdam because their shoes were supposed to best sell there. Mike and John were going to accompany him tomorrow."Yeah. It will help our business expand overseas," John explained before taking a bite of Rose's slice, for which she frowned but she let him have it. They kept sharing the same slice as they continued to talk."For how many days?""Two weeks."