Chapter 27 stared at Benita like I couldn't believe what I was seeing " Wait . What is this supposed to mean ? " I asked , turning straight to Rick He didn't even blink , he just sat down behind his desk and opened his laptop like I hadn't said a word . " You're really not goin not going to answer me ? " I asked again . He didn't look up , I stood there for another second , feeling heat creep up my neck , waiting for even the tiniest reaction . Nothing . Just this unreadable , uninterested version of him that made absolutely no sense considering the night before . Texhaled sharply and turned toward my tiny glass cubicle , walking to my desk without saying anything else . The moment | sat , I caught movement from the corner of my eye . Benita She made herself comfortable right on the edge of Rick's desk , not the chair , but on his fucking desk . Her legs crossed slowly as she leaned in , arms brushing his shoulder . I watched her whisper something , then laugh . He didn't laugh back , but he didn't push her away either . My nails dug into the file folder I was holding . A second later , I saw her hands . Her fingers slid lightly around the back of his neck , and then she turned , reaching toward the wall to pull blinds shut on the glass windows of his office . You've got to be kidding me . She disappeared behind the blinds , and I was left there alone in the awkward silence of a glass cube surrounded by people pretending not to see what Ljust saw All the facade of him acting like a hero in front of all those staff just a moment ago was comical to me now I almost wanted to kill him . Benita reappeared ten minutes later , holding a folder . She walked over and dropped it on my desk with a soft thud . I looked up slowly . She smiled like nothing had happened . " Here's what you'll need to start I didn't take the file . I looked her up and down . " You really think sitting on your boss's desk and whispering in his ear is how professionals behave ? " Her smile didn't move . " Wow , that was fast , " " What ? " She shrugged . " The attitude . Look , Rick and I both know this marriage is temporary , so don't play house with me , okay ? I'm not the problem . I'm just here to make sure the actual work gets done . So maybe skip the attitude and learn how to be professional . " I stared at her , stunned , but i grabbed the folder anyway . 1/3 Chapter 27 She turned and walked off like she hadn't just dropped a homb on my morning Tepened the folder and started flipping through page after page of reports , schedules , call lists , and product summaries Everything was corporate jargon and timelines . Everything was urgent . I was so tense i didn't realize I had stopped blinking . I couldn't wait to go home . Then the intercom pinged . " All executive staff to the boardroom for the 11:30 briefing . " I didn't even have time to think , I grabbed a notepad and followed the wave of people into the hallw I The meeting room was oversized and too bright , glass walls , a big oval table . I sat near the far end , and of course , Rick took the seat at the head The presentation started almost immediately . Finance reports . Graphs . Projected returns . More talk about the partnership deal with a logistics firm they were merging operations with . I took notes , but I could barely focus . The entire time , I kept catching Pick looking at me . Once . Twice . The third time , our eyes locked . I narrowed mine slightly . He raised a single brow , slow and calm like he was daring me to do something about it . I looked away fast . The meeting went on forever . By the time the final speaker stood up , I was exhausted . " And as part of the partnership celebration , " the man said , " we'll be taking a one - week leadership retreat in the woods with the incoming department heads from Orion Group . " I looked up . One week ? " In teams , we'll be splitting into cabins , " he added . " You'll receive your assigned groups and packing guidelines before Friday . " The meeting ended in polite applause , people started filing out I stood and grabbed my notebook , ready to bolt . I was halfway to the door when his voice cut through the chatter behind me . " Fiona Sterling I fraze , the way he said my full name made my skin crawl . I turned around slowly , " whatttt now ! " " Stay behind , " he said . Everyone glanced at me . I could feel the attention like heat against the back of my neck . I walked back toward him . 2/3 10:09 Wed , 27 Aug 17 Chapter 27 The moment the door shut behind me , be moved last His hand grabbed my wrist . He spun me around and pushed me gently but firmly back against the desk . My notebook dropped to the floor with a soft thud . His arms bracketed me in , one on either side . I stared up at him , heart hammering , " What's with the attitude ? " he asked , voice low and steady , " Don't , " I said sharply . " Don't pretend like you don't know . " " What exactly don't I know ? " His eyes searched mine . I shoved him back , hard . " You have Benita all over you at work , behind closed blinds , but I'm the one that needs constant monitoring ? You don't even try to hide it and you keep mentioning how much we need to be careful but you're out here doing really stupid things it's actually crazy He blinked once , jaw flexing , but he didn't deny it .. * You said this marriage was about appearances , fine . But you're not even pretending anymore . " I stepped around him , grabbing my notebook off the floor . He stood still , watching me . I muttered under my breath . " God , I can't believe I'll be stuck with you on a company trip for a whole week . " And I walked out . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!