<
I hesitated, and then replied with a sheepish smile. “The thing is, I didn’t prepare the market analysis for this project, so I’m not comfortable stepping into it. Maybe you should handle it instead.”
Kenneth’s smile froze. “.
n
After a moment, he let out a frustrated sigh. Then, as if to humor me, he rattled off a number. “Fine. Tell her this price.”
I stayed put.
Kenneth glanced at me, clearly annoyed. “What now?”
I shrugged. “If it’s coming from you, I think it’s better if you deliver it directly. You know, in case they have questions.”
Kenneth’s jaw tightened. He muttered something under his breath before storming off to the conference room.
Watching his retreating figure, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Kenneth had been trying to use me as a scapegoat. But if that was the case, why would he risk putting me in the middle of something shady, knowing the investigation was underway? Did he not realize he was under scrutiny?
None of it made sense.
In the end, the project’s price still wasn’t finalized. After another round of negotiation, the leadership concluded that Zoey’s bid was too high and started considering alternative contractors.
Just when I thought I was off the hook, Kenneth approached me again.
“Mason, come with me tonight. We’re meeting Zoey for dinner to finalize things.”
I frowned. “Sorry, Kenneth. I’ve got plans tonight.”
D
He clapped me on the shoulder, grinning. “Oh, come on. I know you’re just trying to dodge the booze. Don’t worry–I promise you won’t have to drink tonight. Just come with me, okay?”
I gritted my teeth. “I’m serious. I have plans.”
His smile dropped. “No. You’re coming. No excuses.”
In the end, I had no choice but to agree. Before heading out, I sent Aurora a message: “Kenneth’s insisting I join him for dinner with Zoey. Something feels off. Can you hang out nearby just in case?”
That night, it was me, Kenneth, Zoey, and another unfamiliar face at dinner.
Kenneth was unusually attentive, constantly refilling my glass–not with alcohol, but soft drinks. He was putting on a show, acting like the perfect, apologetic colleague.
I played along, though my guard was up the entire time.
After dinner, Zoey offered to drive me home. I started to refuse, but Kenneth cut me off. “Oh, that’s great! Thanks for helping him out.”
I tried to push back, but Kenneth wouldn’t let up. Before I knew it, Zoey was practically shoving me into her car.
The moment I sat down, I opened our chat app and shared my location with Aurora.
But then, I felt it–a strange heat spreading through my body. It wasn’t the usual warmth from exertion or a fever. This heat burned from the inside out, leaving me restless and dizzy
My vision blurred slightly, and a sickening realization hit me.
I’d been drugged.
1:12 PM
<
It’s typical for new projects to be located in the outskirts of town–quiet, deserted, and eerily empty at night. My instincts immediately kicked in as I sat there, feeling the strange heat coursing through my body. I forced myself to stay calm and called out, “Zoey, pull over. I’m feeling carsick.”
She didn’t slow down,
I repeated myself, louder this time.
Zoey finally laughed. “So that’s why you rejected me back then? You had someone else lined up, huh? And you even had the audacity to trash–talk me on social media? Mason, you’ve got some nerve.”
I kept my face neutral. “This is your last warning. Stop the car, or I can’t guarantee what happens next.”
Her smile widened. “If I’m not mistaken, the drugs should be kicking in right about now. Look around, Mason. There’s no one out here. Pretty soon, you’ll be begging me for help.” She finally brought the car to a stop and turned to face me, her grin now predatory. “Or maybe you’re not into cars? Would you prefer… the great outdoors?”
Then, as if remembering something, she added with a smirk, “Oh, by the way, there was another guy just like you two years ago–same indignant attitude, same unwillingness. He worked at your company too.” She dropped a name, one I recognized immediately. Her grin widened. “Want to guess how he begged me in the end?”
It was him–the coworker who’d landed in the hospital two years ago.
My jaw tightened. “Why is Kenneth working with you?”
Zoey shrugged, feigning innocence. “Do you think those price cuts just happen on their own? Kenneth’s good at his job–too good, honestly. But with prices this low? It’s barely profitable for me. If I had to choose, I’d rather not take the job at all. But…” She glanced at me, her gaze sharp. “Then I saw you. You had no problem trashing me online, so I figured, why not give you a chance to grovel?” She laughed, the sound grating.
I stared at her, cold and unyielding. “Aren’t you worried I’ll call the cops?”
She chuckled again. “What would be the point? I’ve got a signal jammer in the car. I know you’ve been messaging your little girlfriend, but you haven’t even dared to check your phone. You don’t know if the messages went through, do you?”
Just then, headlights flashed through the darkness.
I smiled. “You probably also know this is the only road in and out of here, right?”
I’d recorded everything. By the end of the night, both Kenneth and Zoey were sitting in a police station.
Aurora’s investigation had uncovered the rest: Kenneth wasn’t just working with Zoey to slash prices. He’d also been falsifying change orders on hidden construction work to siphon money from the company. On top of that, he’d rigged bids and funneled projects to his relatives. Worse still, several higher–ups in the company had been covering for him.
The company hesitated at first, unsure how to handle the fallout. But with Aurora’s persistence and the overwhelming evidence they
ultimately decided to press charges. Kenneth and his co–conspirators were taken to court.
As for me, I had bigger things to worry about.
I’d always known Aurora was a hopeless romantic, but I hadn’t realized just how hopeless until now.
After we made things official, she happily moved into the company’s housing complex–specifically, the apartment right above mine. Her reasoning? “To share the hardships together
But that wasn’t all. To avoid drawing attention, she bought a beat–up secondhand car and used it to pick me up after work every day, bringing me home–cooked meals.
I could only sigh and think to myself. People really shouldn’t have too much free time.
Before Aurora came into my life, my diet had been a mess. Between long hours and sheer laziness, I barely cooked, and my stomach paid the price for it. But now? She was determined to fatten me up. In just one week, I’d gained almost five pounds.
GALE
1:12 PM
<
She seemed to enjoy it, though, constantly trying out new recipes and packing me elaborate lunches. Before long, everyone at the office knew I had an amazing girlfriend.
When Kenneth and his crew were finally sentenced, I was on my way downstairs to meet Aurora.
She was waiting for me outside, holding a massive bouquet of roses and waving enthusiastically. Her smile was so radiant it could’ve melted
the sun.
T
As soon as I approached, she threw her arms around me in a bear hug. I immediately pushed her away. “What are you doing? There are people around!”
She leaned in closer, laughing softly. “What’s wrong? Are you shy?”
I shifted uncomfortably. “Just… let go already.”
“Nope.” She pouted. “You’re my boyfriend. I can hug you if I want. Do you have any idea how miserable I was when you broke up with me before?” Her voice wavered, and her eyes started to glisten.
I glared at her. “You’ve got some nerve bringing that up! Do you know how many late nights I’ve pulled because of you? I’ve got dark circles under my eyes!”
Over time, I’d come to understand her tricks. She wasn’t just clingy or overly emotional–she’d figured out I couldn’t say no to her when she played the soft card. Lately, she’d been milking it for all it was worth.
“Hmph. I’m still upset,” she muttered, burying her face against me. “I don’t care. I’m not letting go. I barely get to hug you.”
I sighed. “You’re such a hopeless romantic.”
She perked up, unabashed. “That’s right! And I’m proud of it!”
Aurora was always mindful of how our relationship might affect me at work. She helped me prepare for grad school exams, pushed me to get certifications, and made sure I kept moving up the ladder.
Two years later, I earned Kenneth’s old position–through my own hard work, not shortcuts.
At the celebration dinner, Aurora and I clinked glasses. In the glow of the lights, I could see the love in her eyes, undimmed after all this time.
Four years into our relationship, her feelings hadn’t faded. If anything, they’d only grown stronger.
The next year, we met each other’s families, got engaged, and tied the knot.
On our wedding night, she clung to me like a koala, her voice soft and sweet. “Baby, you’re finally mine.”
I laughed. “Yes, yes, I’m yours.”
She hesitated, and then shyly asked, “Can I ask you something?”
A raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”
“Promise me you’ll only look at me from now on. If you look at other girls, I’ll get jealous.” Her cheeks turned pink as she spoke.
Smirking, I teased, “Anywhere I can look?”
Her face turned even redder, and she nodded. “…Yeah.”
I couldn’t help laughing. “Including…”
Her voice dropped to a whisper. “You can.”
I burst out laughing, pulling her close.
-The End-
