160 Office Whispers and Unspoken Tensions
Henry shifted in his seat. “Did you hear about the breakthrough with Project Nexus? Your former husband–I mean, Mr. Thorne–personally oversaw the final testing last night.”
“You okay?” Julian asked quietly.
I nodded, maintaining my composure. “Don’t let me keep you.
A smile played at her lips. “Very. But the results are worth it.” She paused, eyeing me. “Damien thinks so too.”
Henry nodded eagerly, clearly grateful for the escape. “Absolutely.”
“We’ll continue this conversation over lunch,” Damien was saying as they passed. “Your team deserves recognition for their efforts. My treat.”
“Elara,” she nodded coolly. “Early start today?”
Julian cleared his throat loudly. “Henry, perhaps we should discuss the implementation timeline instead.”
As they left, Julian squeezed my shoulder supportively. I remained seated, stirring my coffee methodically.
Through the glass, I watched as Damien shook hands with the board members. When they left, he turned to Vivienne, saying something that made her smile broadly. He placed his hand briefly on her shoulder–a casual gesture that nonetheless made my stomach tighten.
“Looks like it went well,” Henry observed.
The casual use of his first name hung in the air between us.
“Project Nexus must be keeping you busy,” I commented, my voice neutral.
“…stayed until three in the morning,” Henry Walsh’s voice carried from the small break table behind me. “That’s dedication, or something else entirely.”
I composed myself, wiping/my hand on a napkin. “Yes, I’ll have my notes to y by
noon.”
14:34
160 Office Whispers and Unspoken Tensions
Elara’s POV
She filled the mug with coffee, adding precisely one sugar–exactly how Damien took his coffee. Another deliberate move.
The pair exited the conference room and headed in our direction. I pretended to be engrossed in the documents before me.
She faltered briefly when she saw me, then resumed her confident stride toward the coffee machine.
Twenty minutes later, I sat in the conference room with Julian, reviewing presentation materials. Henry had excused himself to take a call, leaving us alone.
“Fine by me,” he agreed after a moment. “Extend the invitation.”
“I should get this to him before it cools,” she said, gesturing with the mug. “The meeting starts soon.”
The coffee splashed over the rim of my mug, burning my fingers. I barely felt it.
I tensed, recognizing the gossipy tone. Henry from InnovaTech was visiting our office today for follow–up meetings. He sat with Julian, both nursing their coffees.
As Vivienne left, I exhaled slowly, releasing the tension in my shoulders. The whispers and rumors weren’t new, but hearing about Damien and Vivienne spending the night together at the office still stung.
Julian suppressed a smile at my response, while Henry looked embarrassed again.
“Team meeting in fifteen,” he announced, standing up. “Henry, shall we head to my office to prepare?”
“They ordered dinner from that exclusive French place on Fifth,” Henry lowered his voice, though not enough. “And breakfast was delivered this morning. My assistant saw the delivery guy.”
Julian shot me a concerned look. I straightened the papers in front of me, focusing on appearing busy and unbothered.
“I will,” Vivienne said warmly. “Thank you,
Damien.”
“How commendable,” I replied evenly, taking a seat at their table.
160 Office Whispers and Unspoken Tensions
“Elara-”
He continued down the hall toward his office while Vivienne lingered. Through my peripheral vision, I saw her straighten her posture, adjust her hair, and turn toward our conference room door.
“He’s seen me plenty,” I replied dryly. “We share a child, remeinber?”
“I heard,” I said simply.
For a brief moment, Damien’s eyes met mine through the glass. His expression remained impassive, but his gaze lingered for a heartbeat longer than necessary before he quickly looked away.
The invitation hung in the air, impossible to decline without appearing petty. I sat perfectly still, feeling trapped by professional courtesy and the curious eyes of Henry watching this interaction.
I turned my attention back to our own work, determined not to let Damien’s presence distract me. Julian followed my lead, redirecting Henry to discuss implementation strategies.
“I’m fine,” I replied automatically.
“Ms. Dubois must be impressive professionally to command that kind of attention,” Henry continued.
An hour later, the meeting down the hall concluded. Executives streamed out, talking animatedly. Damien stood at the head of the table, speaking with two board members. Vivienne hovered nearby, her expression glowing with triumph.
Turning around, I forced a polite smile. Henry had the decency to look uncomfortable when he saw me.
“Elara,” Julian called out, his voice deliberately loud. “Did you have a chance to review those metrics I sent yesterday?”
The door opened and Henry returned, looking excited. “They’re coming this way. Mr. Thorne and Ms. Dubois just left the executive elevator.”
“He saw you,” Henry whispered, as if announcing a celebrity sighting.
“Good morning, Ms. Vance,” he said, too brightly. “I was just telling Julian about the
160 Office Whispers and Unspoken Tensions
dedication at InnovaTech lately. Everyone pulling all–nighters.”
“Project Nexus presentation,” Henry explained unnecessarily. “The big reveal for senior management.”
The awkward silence that followed was mercifully brief. Julian’s phone buzzed.
“Sure, sure,” Henry agreed, but couldn’t resist adding, “Just saying, when the CEO
–
personally stays to help with your project overnight, it means something. Especially when it’s Damien Thorne.”
The office kitchen hummed with the familiar sound of the coffee machine. I stood waiting for my cup to fill, absently watching the dark liquid drip steadily.
The kitchen door swung open again. Vivienne Dubois walked in, her designer heels clicking sharply against the tile floor. Despite the early hour, she looked flawless in a tailored burgundy dress that hugged her curves perfectly. The only sign of her alleged all–nighter was the slight darkness under her eyes, expertly concealed with makeup but visible to my scrutinizing gaze.
We watched as Damien and Vivienne continued to the large conference room down the hall. Soon, other executives joined them, filing in with tablets and notebooks.
“Julian, Henry,” she greeted them before her eyes settled on me. “Elara. Do you all have plans for lunch? Damien would like to treat the teams working on Project Nexus to thank everyone for their contributions.”
Vivienne grabbed a mug–Damien’s personal mug that he kept in this office kitchen. The bold move wasn’t lost on me.
My fingers tightened around my empty mug. The coffee machine beeped, signaling it was done.
They paused outside our conference room. I could feel Damien’s gaze but didn’t look
- up.
Julian shot a concerned glance my way. “Henry, let’s focus on-”
“We’re still married, Henry,” I corrected calmly. “Just separated.”
“Really, Julian. It’s nothing haven’t heard before.”
“The usual,” I replied, sipping my coffee.
160 Office Whispers and Unspoken Tensions
Sure enough, moments later, Damien Thorne walked past the glass wall of our conference room. Tall and imposing in his perfectly tailored suit, he commanded attention without effort. Vivienne walked beside him, presenting something on her
tablet.
“That’s generous,” Vivienne replied. “But perhaps we should include Julian’s team too? They’ve been instrumental in providing the data architecture.”
My heart raced as she pushed it open, her perfectly manicured hand resting on the handle. She smiled–the picture of professional cordiality–as she stepped inside.
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