I clear my throat and avoid their gazes as I walk to my desk.
“I’m kinda upset I found about this out online, and not from you,” Ivy pouts. “I thought we were work besties.”
“I’m sorry. Only a handful of people knew about it. I was still figuring things out between us and wanted to keep things private.”
“I get it. But I kinda suspected there was something going on.”
I raise a brow, intrigued. “How so?”
She smirks. “Well, for starters—he’s hot as fuck. It was only a matter of time before you gave in. And don’t act like I haven’t seen the way you two sneak glances at each other when you think no one’s watching. Pluuus”—she draws out the word, giving me a knowing look—“you’ve been in amuchbetter mood lately. So, I figured it has to be because you’re getting some good dick.”
Blush creeps across my cheek. “Ivyyy…”
She lets out a laugh. “I’m very observant.”
Veronica’s door swings open, and my stomach twists into knots when her eyes land on me. I can feel the heat of her stare from across the room.
“Ms. Monroe. My office. Now.”
Wiping my palms on my skirt, I try to focus on my breathing to prevent myself from losing it as I walk toward her.
When I enter her office, she slams the door behind us.
“I specifically told you not to have any kind of relationship with Mr. Kamado and you went and did it anyway!” Her face reddens with anger, the vein on her temple pulsating.
“I’m s-sorry, Ms. Zhang.” I stare at the ground, unable to meet her eyes. “I can’t help how I feel about him. I didn’t expect this to happen.”
She folds her arms across her chest. “So, what you’re saying is that this job isn’t important to you?”
“No, of course it’s important to me! I am very grateful for this job and to be able to work for this company. You have been such a great boss.”
Hearing my own words makes me want to throw up. Kissing Veronica Zhang’s ass is the last thing I want to do.
“I should be firing you for insubordination,” she snaps.
Bile rises in my throat and my chest tightens. I feel like I’m suffocating.
“But I’m not going to.”
“You’re not?” I stare at her, stunned, the words leaving my mouth before I can stop them.
She quirks a brow, cool and composed as ever. “I don’t think Mr. Kamado would be too pleased if I fired his girlfriend. And the last thing I need is for him to pull out of this collaboration.” Her voice is sharp, every syllable a warning. “Consider yourself lucky, Ms. Monroe. Because if it weren’t for that deal, I wouldn’t have even let you through the front doors this morning.”
“Thank you. For, um… not firing me.” I manage a weak smile, scratching the back of my neck.
She doesn’t return the smile. Instead, she leans forward slightly, eyes narrowing. “Now that you’re in the public eye, please avoid any scandals. If you do anything to ruin the reputation of Dauntless, I won’t only fire you, but I’ll make damn sure you never work in fashion again. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Ms. Zhang,” I reply, the oxygen finally returning to my lungs.
“Now, go and fetch me my coffee before I change my mind.” Veronica shoos me off.
Nodding, I exit her office and pull my phone out to shoot Maddox a text.
Good news. I still have a job.
Maddox
That’s great! I knew it wouldn’t happen.
