PART 12 - "Rumors, Revenge, and Red Bottoms"
Scene: Monday Morning - The Walk-In
After the birthday bash disaster, I knew Monday would be a performance.
Not a job.
A stage.
I walked in wearing a fitted white pencil skirt, gold chain belt, and a satin emerald blouse tucked just enough to show the curve of my waist. Red bottoms clicked against the tile like I owned every square inch of that building.
I wasn't walking.
I was reclaiming.
Eyes turned. Whispers followed.
Carl: "Damn. She didn't miss a beat."
Alicia: "If I got embarrassed like that at a party, I'd be on leave."
I smirked.
They didn't know… this was war.
Scene: HR Crisis Meeting
Devon sat at the head of the conference table in a sleek navy suit, his beard trimmed, jaw locked. I sat to his right, unbothered, sipping an iced coffee from Starbucks.
Jordan sat across from us, smug.
Jasmine hovered near the door, her bump suddenly more noticeable - probably forced.
"Someone tried to poison the champagne," HR said. "And the caterer confirmed that the batch was tampered with."
I tilted my head. "So who had access to the drinks before serving?"
Jordan glanced at Jasmine.
Boom.
Scene: Private Elevator Ride
Devon pressed the emergency stop.
Pulled me close.
"We're surrounded, babe. Jordan's pushing buttons. Jasmine's faking belly-first drama. And now this whole poisoning stunt?"
I kissed his neck slowly. "Then let them push. We don't bend."
He grinned, that grin that made panties irrelevant.
"You really are my damn weakness."
I slid my hand down the front of his slacks. "Only your weakness after hours."
Scene: The Confession
Later that night, Carl nervously pulled me into the break room.
"I know who did it."
My brow lifted. "You better talk before I make this coffee pot do what the poison couldn't."
He swallowed. "Jasmine switched the drinks. But it wasn't to hurt anyone. She wanted attention. She said Jordan promised to protect her job if she played victim."
I stepped closer. "And the pregnancy?"
He whispered, "She's not even two months along. And the father… might be someone in IT."
Lord.
Scene: The Showdown - Office Lounge
I caught Jasmine in front of the full office - loud and clear.
"You risked children, elders, me - for a man who won't even claim you."
Gasps. Phones raised.
She burst into tears.
And that's when I pulled up a video I had forwarded from Carl's phone.
Jordan and Jasmine - arguing, him shoving a wad of cash into her hand.
Jordan stormed out.
HR suspended them both.
Scene: After-Hours Victory
Devon and I stayed late.
Celebrating.
His shirt was halfway unbuttoned. I was perched on his desk, legs crossed, lipstick smeared.
"You know what I love most about you?" he asked, pulling my skirt up.
"What?" I breathed.
"You don't just walk in like a boss. You walk out like a legend."
And when we made love with the city lights behind us - slow, powerful, everything - we knew...
This was just the beginning.