The next two weeks passed in a blur of work, the spreadsheets and caffeine induced mania.
The Southeast Asia expansion project was massive — dozens of potential sites, hundreds of millions in projected costs, thousands of variables to analyze.
Richard pushed me hard, which, whatever, was his job. But he was fair.
Ming, James, and Belle were low key awesome. They were smart, didn't indulge in toxic office gossip, and genuinely felt like real people.
And Daniel…
He texted me every single day. It was exhausting and exhilarating all at once.
Daniel Tan: How's the expansion analysis going?
Me: Overwhelming. But good. Like, my brain is turning into numbers.
Daniel Tan: You'll do great. Trust your instincts.
Me: My instincts say this is too much for someone with two weeks' experience.
Daniel Tan: Your instincts are wrong. I wouldn't have given you this if I didn't think you could handle it.
Me: You have a lot of faith in me.
Daniel Tan: I have faith in your abilities. There's a difference.
It was supposed to be professional, work talk. But then it would just… slide.
Daniel Tan: What are you doing this weekend?
Me: Laundry. Groceries. Living the dream.
Daniel Tan: Sounds thrilling.
Me: What about you? Billionaire things? Yachting? Saving the world?
Daniel Tan: Mostly just missing talking to you.
My heart did that stupid flutter thing again. I hated it.
Me: You're talking to me right now.
Daniel Tan: You know what I mean.
Me: Do I?
Daniel Tan: Lulu.
Me: Daniel.
Daniel Tan: Are you always this difficult?
Me: You have no idea.
Daniel Tan: I'm starting to.
The messages were getting more personal. More intimate.
The lines were blurring faster than I could track, and it was chaotic.
I didn't know how to stop it.
More importantly, I had a sinking feeling I didn't actually want to stop it.
*******
On Thursday afternoon, I was deep into running simulations for a resort feasibility study when my internal office phone rang.
I squinted at the screen. Extension 7300.
I didn't recognize the number.
"Hello?"
"Ms. Wang. This is Vivian."
My stomach dropped straight to the marble floor.
"Ms. Zhang. How can I help you?" I tried to keep my voice even, but it sounded thin.
"I was wondering if you had time for coffee. There are some things I'd like to discuss," she purred.
Everything in me screamed trap.
But refusing would look like I was afraid. And after being moved floors, I couldn't afford to look weak.
And maybe I needed to face this.
"Of course. When?"
"Now, if you're available. There's a cafe on the forty fifth floor."
"I'll be right down."
I wanted to send Daniel a text about this meeting, but decided against it. I had to face this corporate predator alone.
*******
The cafe on the 45th flower was usually buzzing, but it was empty now, except for Vivian. She was seated at a corner table, perfectly composed, with two coffees already waiting.
She looked flawless, perfect as always, dressed in a cream blouse, tailored pants, and subtle jewelry.
"Lulu. Thank you for coming." She gestured to the seat across from her. "I got you a latte. I hope that's alright."
"It's fine. Thank you."
I sat down, and for a moment, neither of us spoke.
"I wanted to apologize," Vivian said finally. "For how I handled the Singapore situation."
I blinked. "Apologize?"
She smiled at my question in practiced grace. "You were right to flag those properties. I should have seen it myself."
She took a sip of her coffee. "I let my ego get in the way. That was not professional."
"I… appreciate that."
"I also wanted to explain why you were moved." She continued, setting down her cup. "Daniel and I discussed it. Given the scope of the expansion project, it made sense to have you work directly with Richard's team. It wasn't personal."
"Okay." I just nodded, absorbing her corporate charm.
"But I hope you understand. This company is built on relationships. Trust, and loyalty."
Her eyes finally met mine, and the chill was back. "Daniel values those things above all else."
"I understand."
"Do you?" She tilted her head, maintaining that perfect, unsettling smile. "Because from where I'm sitting, it looks like you're getting very… close to him. Very quickly."
My breath caught in my throat.
"I'm just doing my job."
"Of course you are." She set her cup down, her smile didn't waver. "But jobs can be complicated. Especially when emotions get involved."
"There are no emotions involved."
"Aren't there?"
The question hung heavy with meaning.
"Ms. Zhang. I appreciate your concern. But my professional relationship with Mr. Tan is exactly that. Professional."
"Of course." She stood up, smoothing her tailored pants. "Lulu, I'm not trying to be unkind. I'm trying to protect you."
"Protect me from what?"
Her voice softened, making the warning feel even more sinister. "From getting hurt."
She stepped closer to the table. "Daniel is… complicated. He's brilliant, generous, and charismatic. But he's also married to this company. Relationships don't last with him. I've seen it happen before."
The statement "I've seen it happen before", it echoed the rumors my new team shared about her history with Daniel, making her threat feel deeply personal.
"We don't have a relationship. He's my boss."
"Is that what he told you?"
I stood up, needing to end this. "I'm very clear on the nature of my employment here. If that's all, I need to get back to my office."
"Of course." She offered one last sharp smile. "I'm glad we had this talk. And Lulu? If you ever need advice… woman to woman… my door is always open."
She turned and walked away, leaving me staring at the untouched latte.
Relationship don't last with him.
I've seen it happen before.
I thought about my divorce, how hard I fought for my independence, and how quickly Daniel had entered my life.
Vivian wasn't worried about my feelings. She was marking her territory. And I was standing right in the crosshairs. This was some real messy, toxic corporate drama, and I was smack in the middle of it.