ren'

o much the night before. All I'd wanted was to honor my cousin's invitation for once after turning her down so many times. But instead

h exhaustion. Resting my hands on the desk, I took a deep breath, trying to calm the chaos in my mind. The news

eady my thoughts. My headache pulsed faintly, but I pushed the discomfort aside. Glancing up, I

er staff member, her name tag clipped neatly to her shir

m here as your boss," Jane, m

f the room, and she avoided eye contact as if that would make her invisible. It was

ger. When she finally glanced up, our eyes met briefly before she snap

d, not bothering to

ah, the Managing director of the

ht from one foot to the other. I noticed the faint lines of sweat staining

r on the spot. If she'd behaved like that in front of a client, it could

the group away. Diana turned to leave with the othe

ed her steps, standing stiffly in her previous spot. Her hands clen

rking here?" I asked, lett

d, her voice barely above a whisper.

tugged at the edges of my memory. There was a famil

re you right now. But..." I leaned forward slightly, studying her reaction, "since you're the onl

with shock. Her lips parted s

ary," I continued, "b

s. "She insulted you earlier and didn't ev

business, where her advice carried weight. This

job," I said, turning bac

y, her voice soft but st

and I sighed, leaning back in my chair. My mind drifted to the hazy memory of the previous ni

eft too soon due Jane urgent call abou

to ease, each pulse of pain a constant reminder of my fatigue. By late afternoon, I signa

nounced, stepping into the o

he weight of her guilt was physically pulling

ocket and tossed he

hem mid-air. A flicker of surprise cross

e turning to Jane. "Take over for me. If anything re

ut of the office. I could hear her footsteps trailing behind me, maintaining just eno

passenger seat, ready to slide in and let her han

" she m

h through me. I turned, raising an eyebrow

ce testing my patience, yet it stirred some

rive," she finally admitted

ded you the keys," I snapped, annoyance flashing

ing for her to take the passenger seat beside me. She obe