My Online Boyfriend Suddenly sent me a Picture of his Lunch. A Steaming Steak…..

My online boyfriend suddenly sent me a photo of his lunch. A steaming steak fresh off the grill. “Praise me, baby,” he wrote. “I’m being a good boy and eating my lunch.” I was just about to reply with good boy when my eyes shifted lower in the picture, and that’s when I noticed it.

Bright red letters printed along the edge of the plate. “Sonbridge Labs.” What a strange coincidence. That was where I worked, too. My heart skipped and I froze in place. My mind went completely blank because the person I had been dating online for over a year might actually be sitting somewhere near me during lunch break.

I was in the company cafeteria quietly cutting into my steak, remembering how he always claimed he never had time to eat. Earlier that day, I had texted him, “Eat something no matter how busy you are. Be a good boy.” Less than 10 minutes later, my phone lit up. Yes, baby. I’m eating like a good boy. Praise me.

There was even a picture attached. a hot fresh steak. I was ready to compliment him, but the longer I stared at the image, the stranger it felt. I kept looking at it until I finally realized why it seemed familiar. Those red letters. Stonebridge Labs printed directly on the plate. Wasn’t that my workplace? I looked down at my own plate, then back at my phone, and suddenly my steak lost all flavor.

The cafeteria was only accessible to employees. Outsiders couldn’t enter, which meant my online boyfriend might actually work in this building. Even while I sat there frozen, his messages kept arriving one after another. Why aren’t you replying, baby? I really am eating, you know. Did I say something wrong? I still hadn’t recovered from the shock.

I knew he lived in the same city, but I never imagined he worked in the same building. Baby, where do you work? Baby, are you at Stonebridge right now? I typed those messages several times and deleted them every time. I had no idea how to ask because if I asked him, he would definitely ask me back. And if he discovered I worked there, too, wouldn’t everything become awkward? What if he connected the clues and figured out who I was? Just thinking about all the cute emojis I had sent him and the way I flirted online made me feel embarrassed.

Before I could sort out my thoughts, more messages appeared. Why are you ignoring me, baby? Are you eating lunch with another guy? What’s wrong? You’re scaring me. I needed to calm the situation down. So, I forced myself to relax and replied, “I was eating, so I didn’t see your messages.” “Good boy.” He immediately sounded satisfied.

“See, I finished everything. Going back to work now.” I let out a slow breath and looked around the cafeteria. Most employees had already left. Only a few women remained along with an older man with white hair. None of them seemed like him. None of them matched the image I had in my head. I tried to calm myself again. I needed to think carefully.

First, who was he? Second, could I trust him? Third, if we actually knew each other in real life, should we continue dating or end things now? Because seeing him every single day would be painfully awkward. Thinking back over the past year, I realized how carefully we had protected our privacy. We never exchanged face pictures.

We never shared names or addresses. The only thing I had was the one time I insisted and he sent me a picture of his abs. But how was I supposed to identify someone using only that? I couldn’t exactly walk around lifting everyone’s shirts. When I returned to my cubicle, I couldn’t stop shivering as I looked at my co-workers laughing and joking around like normal.

If my baby was really one of them, I might honestly faint. So, I started searching through our chat history like crazy, hoping to find even the smallest clue. and eventually I found one. Last month he had gone shopping at the mall and sent me several pictures. Out with friends, he wrote, “Thinking about buying a mug.

” “Pick one for me and I’ll buy one for you, too.” In the end, I chose a titanium mug, but I refused the gift because I didn’t want to reveal my address. Still, he bought it anyway. My baby picked it. Of course, it’ll be good, which meant all I had to do now was figure out who was using it. I walked around the office several times, but I never saw that mug anywhere.

Not even once. Trying to stay calm, I decided to test him. Do you still use that mug? I asked. His reply came instantly. Yes, it’s really good. A second later, he sent another picture. The mug sat on a desk. I tapped the image and studied it carefully, but for some reason, I couldn’t match it to anyone’s workspace.

I just couldn’t figure it out. While I was still confused, a message popped up on my work system from my always serious boss, Daniel Brooks. There’s a problem with the proposal. Come to my office. I took a deep breath and walked over. When I entered, he was on the phone. His voice was low and soft, completely different from the cold tone he usually used at work. Yeah, baby. I miss you, too.

Come by my office tomorrow. Ethan will be here, too, so you can come with him. I don’t want you getting tired from driving. Yeah, okay. You’re in charge. Drive safely. I’ll get back to work now. Mwah. I quickly turned my head and looked toward the window. This was too much that I never expected my cold and distant boss to sound like that in private. Then he cleared his throat.

Just like that, he returned to normal, calm, and professional. “The investor has already reviewed our proposal,” he said. He’s satisfied overall, but a few details need adjustments. I mark them. Edit everything later. Yes, Mr. Brooks. I replied. I was about to leave when from the corner of my eye, I noticed it.

The mug sitting on the edge of his desk. Titanium clean, exactly the same one I had chosen. I froze immediately. Seeing that I still hadn’t left, Daniel looked up. What is it? I forced myself to stay calm and pointed toward the mug. That’s a pretty unique mug. Where did you get it? He casually mentioned the same mall.

Then he smiled slightly. What? You want one, too? For a second, I couldn’t answer. Then I quickly shook my head. No, just curious. The moment I finished speaking, I practically rushed out of his office because one thought kept repeating in my head. Could Daniel actually be my online boyfriend? But if I was his baby, then who was he talking to on the phone earlier? Was he involved with another woman? Was he dating two people at the same time? My chest tightened.

My thoughts became a complete mess. I wandered back to my desk, feeling completely lost. Naturally, I stopped replying to my boyfriend’s messages. After that, I forced myself to focus on fixing the proposal, but by the time I got home, I was exhausted. My phone screen kept lighting up over and over again. Every message was from him. Are you busy, baby? Where are you? Why are you ignoring me? You’ve been acting strange today.

Did I do something wrong? Just tell me. I’ll fix it. Please say something. You’re scaring me. My fingers trembled as I typed my reply. Is there something you’ve been hiding from me? His response arrived instantly. No way. I’ve always been serious and honest with you. Is there some kind of misunderstanding? No. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself.

At this point, I was almost certain Daniel was my online boyfriend. So, now the most important thing was finding out whether he was cheating and who that other baby really was. Because what if I was misunderstanding everything? A moment later, another message came in. By the way, your favorite brand just released a new collection.

Which one do you like? I’ll wear it. He sent several pictures. I stared at them for a while before choosing one. A black knit sweater. Simple but noticeable. The kind of clothing you would recognize instantly if you saw it in public. Part of me still hoped I was wrong, that Daniel wouldn’t appear wearing it, because if he did, then I would have to face the truth.

The next morning, I brought the revised proposal to Daniel’s office. He was sitting calmly on the sofa drinking tea. And there it was, the black sweater, the exact one I had chosen. My heart dropped immediately. He really was my good boy. “The proposal is ready, Mr. Brooks,” I said. He looked up and gave a small smile. “Thank you, Clare.

Get ready. The investors are coming this afternoon.” “Okay,” I replied, but my eyes kept drifting back toward the sweater. I tried to sound casual. “I don’t think I’ve seen you wear that before. It looks good on you.” He smiled slightly. I just bought it yesterday. That was enough. My chest tightened. It really was him.

After that, I couldn’t focus on work at all. I kept glancing toward his office. He had mentioned meeting his baby today, and I wanted to see her. If everything was exactly how I imagined, then this relationship was over. About an hour later, a beautiful woman walked into his office. Elegant, confident, perfectly dressed.

I slowly moved closer, pretending to grab something from the pantry nearby. The office door was slightly open. I could hear laughter inside. “I missed you so much,” she said softly. “You look really good in that sweater. Black suits you.” Daniel’s voice sounded gentle. As long as you like it, that’s enough.

I picked it just for you. Then he added, “So, are we meeting your parents tonight? I’m a little worried they won’t like me.” She laughed quietly. “They will. My parents trust my judgment. Those words hit hard. So, I had just helped him choose clothes while he prepared to meet another woman’s parents.

Then, what was I? Just someone temporary. My hands shook as I pulled out my phone, ignoring the tight feeling in my chest, I typed, “This is disgusting. I’m breaking up with you.” I sent the message and blocked him immediately. A moment later, Daniel walked out holding the woman’s hand, guiding her away like nothing had happened.

I stood there forcing a bitter smile, feeling completely foolish while thinking about the past year and all those sweet messages. My eyes burned slightly, but at least I had only used my backup number to talk to him. Otherwise, I couldn’t even imagine how awkward this situation would become. So, I told myself firmly, “Forget it. If love failed, then I’ll focus on my career. I’m an adult.

I can’t ruin my work life over this.” That afternoon, Daniel messaged me. Claire, come in and walked the investor through the details. I took a deep breath and stood up. No matter what had happened, I still had a job to do. I fixed my expression and entered his office as if nothing was wrong.

Claire, this is Ethan Carter, our investor’s representative,” Daniel said. “He’s also a childhood friend of mine. Don’t be nervous. Just explain everything clearly.” I nodded and stepped forward. But the moment I looked at the man sitting on the sofa, I froze. Our eyes met, and something about him immediately felt different. Daniel was warm and easygoing.

But Ethan felt distant, calm in a way that naturally made people keep their distance. He wore a dark suit with a black turtleneck underneath. It fit him perfectly. You could faintly see the outline of his build beneath the fabric, controlled, sharp, effortless. Even the way he lifted his teacup felt deliberate. For a moment, I forgot what I was supposed to say.

Then Daniel cleared his throat lightly. I returned to reality and started presenting. At first, my voice felt stiff. But once I settled into the presentation, I found my rhythm again. Numbers, strategy, projections. This was my space. I spoke clearly and confidently. When I finished, Daniel clapped first. Very nice, Clare. He said, “What do you think, Ethan?” We both looked toward him, but Ethan wasn’t looking at Daniel.

He was looking at me, more specifically at my neck. Then suddenly he spoke. That’s a very distinctive necklace, Miss Reed. My heart dropped instantly. I looked down. The crystal pendant was visible because of the neckline of my dress. And suddenly a memory hit me. I had sent him a picture of it once. Just once. Look, puppy, I had written.

Isn’t my necklace pretty? And he replied, Anything you wear is the prettiest. My pulse jumped. That was the only time I had ever shown it. I quickly covered the pendant with my hand, pretending it was nothing important. “Thank you,” I said, forcing my voice to stay steady. “I just liked it, so I bought it.

” Ethan nodded once, but his eyes lingered on me for another second. Daniel, completely unaware, stood up. Well, then, he said while clapping his hands lightly. If there are no more questions, Clare can prepare the summary for this week. Ethan, want to grab lunch? I booked our usual place. Sure, Ethan replied calmly.

He stood up and picked up his coat, but just before turning away, his eyes met mine again, only for a second. Short, subtle, but enough. There was something in that look, something that felt like a question, or worse, recognition. I left the office quickly, gripping the documents tightly in my hands. I walked straight to the farthest restroom on the floor, the one nobody liked using, near the maintenance room that always smelled faintly burnt.

I locked myself inside a stall and pressed my hands against my temples. Think, I whispered to myself. Just think. Fact number one. I had only sent that necklace picture once. Not to friends, not to family. His briefcase. He passed my desk, then stopped. Good presentation today, Miss Reed, he said. Thank you. I replied without looking up.

There was a brief pause. Then he added, “That necklace suits you very well.” This time, I looked up, but he was already walking away. The elevator doors opened. He stepped inside. “Gone.” I sat there staring at the empty space he left behind. Then I slowly looked at my phone, then at the small mirror inside my drawer.

I took it out and stared at the necklace again like it might explain something. There was only one way to learn the truth. I had to talk to him directly, not through messages, not through guesses, face to face, because if I was wrong, I needed to fix it. And if I was right, then everything I thought I knew would change. I packed my things slowly, put on my coat, turned off my monitor, and walked toward the elevator.

I stood in the exact same spot where he had stood minutes earlier. The doors opened. I stepped inside, they closed, and right then, my backup phone vibrated. One message from an unknown number. I opened it. Are you going to keep pretending you don’t know me, baby? My heart stopped. I barely remember leaving the building.

One moment, I was inside the elevator. The next, I was outside with cold air hitting my face hard enough to bring me back to reality. My phone was still in my hand. That message was still on the screen. Are you going to keep pretending you don’t know me, baby? I read it again and again. No name, no profile picture, a completely different number, but that word baby written exactly the same way as always.

No capital letter, no extra punctuation, just like him. My fingers trembled slightly as I typed. Who is this? The reply came almost instantly. Someone who almost walked over to your desk this afternoon, but you looked very focused on your screen. My throat tightened. He had been watching me.

He knew where I sat, which meant it wasn’t Daniel. Daniel had spent most of the afternoon in meetings. That left only one possibility. I stared at the screen for a second, then typed a single word. Ethan, it wasn’t a question. He understood immediately. You took longer than I expected, he replied. Then, after a short pause, although I have to admit, the black sweater was a nice touch.

My back pressed against the cold wall behind me. He knew. He had known. But since when? Since this morning or earlier? My thoughts raced. The mug, I whispered to myself. It wasn’t Daniel’s. It had never belonged to Daniel. Ethan must have been there earlier. Daniel probably borrowed it from him. Everything I thought I understood was wrong. I typed quickly.

Since when did you know it was me? This time? The reply took a few seconds. Since the necklace, he wrote. I suspected it before that. Something strange tightened in my chest. Not exactly relief, more like everything suddenly falling into place too fast. the meeting. I typed, then deleted it. Typed again.

Was the comment about the necklace intentional? Yes, he replied. I wanted to see your reaction. Then another short pause. You’re very good at pretending, Clare, but not perfect. My name just like that. Not formal, not distant, simply Clare. The same way he used to say it in messages. Soft and familiar like he had been holding it back. I took a slow breath.

I needed time to think. I was talking to Ethan Carter, investor representative, my boss’s childhood friend. The same man who sat across from me earlier like a stranger, and also the man who had spent the past year texting me every night, sending food pictures, complaining about work, and reminding me to eat. It was too much to process at once.

I need time to think, I typed. I know, he replied. Then another message appeared. But before you do, there’s something you should know. My fingers hovered above the screen. You took longer than I expected, he replied. Then after a short pause, although I have to admit, the black sweater was a nice touch. My back pressed against the cold wall behind me.

He knew he had known. But since when? Since this morning or earlier? My thoughts raced. The mug, I whispered to myself. It wasn’t Daniels. It had never belonged to Daniel. Ethan must have been there earlier. Daniel probably borrowed it from him. Everything I thought I understood was wrong. I typed quickly.

Since when did you know it was me? This time the reply took a few seconds. Since the necklace, he wrote. I suspected it before that. Something strange tightened in my chest. Not exactly relief. More like everything suddenly falling into place too fast. The meeting, I typed, then deleted it. Typed again. Was the comment about the necklace intentional? Yes, he replied.

I wanted to see your reaction. Then another short pause. You’re very good at pretending, Clare. But not perfect. My name just like that. Not formal, not distant, simply Clare. The same way he used to say it in messages. Soft and familiar, like he had been holding it back. I took a slow breath. I needed time to think.

I was talking to Ethan Carter, investor representative, my boss’s childhood friend. the same man who sat across from me earlier like a stranger. And also the man who had spent the past year texting me every night, sending food pictures, complaining about work, and reminding me to eat. It was too much to process at once.

I need time to think, I typed. I know, he replied. Then another message appeared. But before you do, there’s something you should know. My fingers hovered above the screen. The message you sent earlier, he continued, the one where you said you were breaking up with me. I understand why you sent it. My chest tightened, but you were looking at the wrong person. I closed my eyes briefly.

The embarrassment hit immediately. I had spent the entire day convinced Daniel was my boyfriend, convinced he was cheating on me while the real person sat there quietly watching everything unfold. I was wrong, I typed. It was the only thing I could say. Yes, he replied, then after a pause. But so was I. I frowned slightly.

What do you mean? I’ve known you work here for weeks, he said. I just didn’t say anything. I stared at the message. He knew for weeks. Yes. Why didn’t you tell me? This pause lasted longer because I didn’t know how to start that conversation. I didn’t reply immediately. We had both been hiding, both pretending, talking every day while passing each other in the same building.

It felt unreal. And now I typed. The reply came after a moment. I’m at the cafe on the south corner of the building. The one with the blue chairs. I knew exactly which cafe he meant. If you want to keep pretending we don’t know each other, I’ll understand. A pause, then one final message. But if you don’t, I stared at the unfinished sentence.

Then I locked my phone, took a deep breath, and started walking toward the cafe. My heart was beating so hard it felt unreal because now there would be no more guessing, no more messages, no more distance. I was about to meet him for real, and I didn’t know if he would feel like a stranger or exactly like the person I had already fallen for.

The cafe had blue chairs, and he was already there, sitting near the window with both hands around a cup of tea, looking toward the entrance, waiting. The moment I stepped inside, his eyes found me. He didn’t smile. He didn’t wave, but I noticed it. His shoulders relaxed slightly, like he had finally let go of something he’d been holding in.

I walked over slowly and sat across from him. For a moment, neither of us spoke. The silence stretched between us, but it didn’t feel empty. It felt full, like everything we still hadn’t said was already sitting there between us. Then he spoke quietly, “Hi, baby.” My heart jumped. All the tension and confusion from the entire day hit me at once.

And before I could stop myself, I replied naturally, “Hi, puppy. This time, try not to look nervous.” I pressed my lips together and typed. I already told you I’m not nervous. His reply came almost instantly. Then prove it. I stood up, took a slow breath, and walked toward the meeting room. When I stepped inside, he was already there waiting, like he expected I wouldn’t take long.

I closed the door behind me, and suddenly it felt like the cafe all over again, except this time, we weren’t outside the world anymore. We were directly in the middle of it. The sound of the door closing seemed louder than normal. For a moment, neither of us moved. Then I walked to the table and placed my laptop down. “Section three,” I said, keeping my tone steady.

“Right,” he replied, but he didn’t sit down, and somehow that made it harder to stay calm. I opened the file, scrolled through the document, and pointed at the screen. “These are the updated projections. We adjusted the timeline based on You’re still doing it.” I stopped. “What?” He stepped a little closer, pretending this is only work.

My chest tightened slightly. This is work. Part of it, he said calmly. Not all of it. I looked up at him. You said we’d keep this professional. I said we’d move at your pace, he corrected. That doesn’t mean I ignore what’s obvious. I held his gaze for a second before looking back at the screen.

What’s obvious? A brief pause. That you keep looking at me like you’re trying not to. My fingers tightened slightly around the edge of the laptop. I’m not. You are? I exhaled quietly. This was exactly what I had been trying to avoid. Can we focus? I asked. We are. No, I replied, finally looking at him again. You’re not. For a moment, neither of us spoke.

The room felt heavier than it should have. Then footsteps sounded outside the door. Voices followed. Both of us froze instinctively. The handle moved slightly. My heartbeat jumped, but the door never opened. The voices continued down the hall and the footsteps faded away. Silence returned. I let out a slow breath.

That’s what I mean, I said quietly. This is the problem. He didn’t answer immediately. You think I don’t understand that? I hesitated. I think you don’t take it seriously enough. His expression barely changed, but something in his eyes did. I do, he said. Then act like it. A pause followed. Then he stepped back slightly, creating some distance. Okay, he said simply.

No argument, no resistance. Somehow that made it harder. I swallowed and looked back at my laptop. Section three, I repeated. This time he sat down and we actually worked through everything line by line, point by point, professional, controlled, like nothing else existed. But it still wasn’t completely real. Every time our hands moved too close across the table, I noticed.

Every time he leaned forward slightly, I noticed. Every pause that lasted just a little too long. I felt it. After around 20 minutes, I closed my laptop. That should be enough for now. He nodded, but neither of us moved immediately. The silence returned different this time. Less tense, but heavier somehow. Clare, he said softly. Not misread. Not formal.

Just Clare. I looked at him. Yes. You said earlier this is complicated. It is. Then let me ask you something. I waited. If this wasn’t work, he said, “Would it still be complicated?” The question hit harder than I expected because I already knew the answer. “I just didn’t want to say it aloud.” “No,” I admitted quietly.

He held my gaze. “Then the problem isn’t us.” “It is,” I replied. “How?” For a moment, neither of us spoke. The room felt heavier than it should have. Then footsteps sounded outside the door. Voices followed. Both of us froze instinctively. The handle moved slightly. My heartbeat jumped, but the door never opened.

The voices continued down the hall, and the footsteps faded away. Silence returned. I let out a slow breath. “That’s what I mean,” I said quietly. “This is the problem.” He didn’t answer immediately. “You think I don’t understand that?” I hesitated. “I think you don’t take it seriously enough.” His expression barely changed, but something in his eyes did.

I do, he said. Then act like it. A pause followed. Then he stepped back slightly, creating some distance. “Okay,” he said simply. “No argument, no resistance.” “Somehow that made it harder.” I swallowed and looked back at my laptop. “Section three,” I repeated. This time he sat down and we actually worked through everything line by line, point by point, professional, controlled, like nothing else existed.

But it still wasn’t completely real. Every time our hands moved too close across the table, I noticed. Every time he leaned forward slightly, I noticed. Every pause that lasted just a little too long, I felt it. After around 20 minutes, I closed my laptop. That should be enough for now, he nodded, but neither of us moved immediately.

The silence returned different this time. Less tense, but heavier somehow. Clare, he said softly. Not Miss Reed. Not formal, just Clare. I looked at him. Yes. You said earlier this is complicated. It is. Then let me ask you something. I waited. Because this is real life, I said. And real life comes with consequences.

A short pause followed. And what do you want? He asked. I didn’t answer immediately because that was the real question. What did I actually want? I looked at him. The same person I had spent over a year talking to, laughing with, trusting without ever seeing his face. And now he was here. real close complicated. I don’t know yet, I admitted.

That was the truth. He nodded slowly. That’s fine. Another pause passed between us. Then he stood up and walked toward the door. Before opening it, he looked back at me. You’re not as careful as you think. My heart skipped. What does that mean? You still said puppy yesterday. My face instantly warmed.

That definitely hadn’t sounded professional. I had no response because he was right. He opened the door, then paused again. And for the record, he added, “That’s still my favorite one.” Then he left, leaving me alone in the room, trying to steady my breathing. Because no matter how hard I tried to keep everything controlled, it was already slipping, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to stop it anymore.

When I returned to my desk, I already knew something had changed. Not only inside me, but around me, too. Megan looked up almost immediately. Wow, that took longer than I expected. I sat down trying to sound normal. We had a lot to go over. She didn’t seem convinced with Ethan. I froze for half a second, then nodded. “Yeah.

” She leaned back slightly in her chair, studying me. “Huh? That sound alone felt dangerous.” “What?” I asked. “Nothing?” she replied casually, though she smiled a little. “You just seem different.” “I’m not.” “Okay,” she said. “But you’ve gone to that meeting room twice today.” I blinked. I’m working with the same person. That’s literally my job.

She raised one hand slightly. Relax. I didn’t answer, but her expression already said enough. She noticed something. Maybe not everything, but enough. I turned back to my screen and tried to focus. Failed immediately because now it wasn’t only me thinking about him. Someone else had started noticing too, and that made everything feel more real and more risky.

Around 300 p.m., another message appeared on my work system. Are you free? I stared at it before typing back, “For work.” A few seconds later, he replied, “That depends on your answer.” I pressed my lips together and typed, “Yes, for work.” A pause followed. Then, come to meeting room B.

I hesitated for only a second before standing again. This was becoming dangerous. I could feel it clearly, but I still walked there anyway. When I entered the room, he was leaning against the table, waiting, just like before. I closed the door behind me. this time more carefully. People are starting to notice, I said immediately.

He didn’t seem surprised. Your coworker Megan? I nodded slightly. She was watching earlier. Of course, he noticed that too. See, I said, this is exactly what I mean. And what exactly are you suggesting? He asked. That we need boundaries. We already have them. Not enough. A brief pause followed. Then he straightened slightly. Okay, he said.

Set them. I wasn’t expecting that response. You’re serious? Yes. I took a breath. Work stays work. No personal conversations here. All right. No messages during meetings. Fine. And no comments like earlier. He tilted his head slightly. About the necklace. Yes. A short silence. That one might be difficult. I stared at him. Ethan. Okay.

He replied calmly. I’ll try. I exhaled slowly. And outside work? He asked. That’s different. How? I hesitated, then answered honestly. Outside, we can figure it out. He watched me carefully, as if measuring every word. Figure it out, he repeated. Yes. A quiet moment passed between us. Then he said my name again, softer this time. Claire.

I looked at him. What? You’re already treating this like it matters. My chest tightened slightly. It does matter. Exactly. I didn’t answer because that was the issue. It mattered more than I expected, more than I wanted. Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. Both of us froze again, Clareire. A voice called from outside. Megan, my stomach dropped.

Yes. Are you in there? I looked at Ethan. He stayed completely still. Silent waiting. I’m reviewing something, I answered. With who? She asked. The silence stretched too long. With Ethan, I finally said. A pause. Then, oh, okay. Her footsteps faded away. I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. That was close.

She didn’t sound convinced, he said. She isn’t. I looked at him again. This is exactly what I mean. And yet, he replied calmly. You’re still here. I didn’t answer because he was right. I could have left. I probably should have left, but I didn’t. And we both knew why. I picked up my laptop. We’re done for now.

He nodded without arguing. I walked to the door, checked the hallway, and stepped outside. Back at my desk, Megan looked up immediately. So, she asked. So, what? What were you doing? Working? She gave me a look. That’s a lot of working today. I forced a small smile. Deadlines, right? But she didn’t push further. Not yet.

I sat back down and opened my laptop, trying to act normal again. But now there was a new problem. It wasn’t just about being careful anymore. It wasn’t just about hiding things. It was the fact that I didn’t actually want to stop. And that scared me more than anything