The next morning, I arrived to find my office door covered in post-it notes.
Boss's pet
Sleeping your way to the top?
How's the view from up there, Cinderella?
Bitch
I felt my heart stop beating instantly.
Someone had been inside here overnight. Someone who had access to this floor.
My hands shook as I peeled them off, one by one.
Who would do this?
I thought about telling Daniel. Or maybe Richard.
But what would I say? Someone left mean notes on my door?
It sounded childish.
Instead, I threw them away in the trash can and tried to focus on work.
But all day, I felt many eyes judging me.
After lunch, I overheard two people talking about me in the break room.
"...moving her to the executive floor exactly after two weeks…"
"... obviously sleeping with him…"
"... Vivian must be furious…"
"...we should avoid her…"
"...a slut in our office…"
I turned and left without getting my coffee.
Back in my office, I stared at the flowers on my desk.
The white roses were truly beautiful.
But it was proving that Daniel and I were more than professional.
Also a proof that maybe Vivian was right.
Maybe I was in over my head, and going to get hurt.
My phone buzzed suddenly, making me jump out of my thoughts.
Daniel Tan: Are you okay? Richard said you seemed upset.
I looked at the message then at the trash can full of post-it notes.
Me: I'm fine.
Daniel Tan: Liar.
Me: Just a long day. That's all.
Daniel Tan: Lulu. Tell me, what happened?
I should tell him.
But Vivian's voice suddenly resounded loudly in my head. 'Relationships don't last with him.'
Me: Nothing. Really. I'm just tired.
Daniel Tan: If someone did something…
Me: They didn't. Honestly, I'm fine.
Silence. Then his texts showed up again.
Daniel Tan: Two and a half weeks more. That's all I'm asking. Can you wait that long?
I looked at the flowers he sent me.
All the life I've built after I divorced suddenly felt like it was crumbling. Once again, crumbling down.
Me: I'll wait.
But I wasn't sure I believed in myself anymore.
*******
On Friday, Vivian invited me to lunch.
Not coffee this time. She invited me to a real restaurant. The kind of place where you need to make a reservation before you eat.
I almost said no, but curiosity won me over.
The place was beautiful. It was covered with luxurious ornaments from floor to ceiling windows, white tablecloths. Exactly the kind of place where people closed deals over wine.
Vivian was already there, looking immaculate in a burgundy dress.
"Lulu. Thanks for coming."
"Of course."
We ordered, then made small talks about weather, the expansion project, and all the harmless things.
Then, halfway through our meal, Vivian set down her fork.
"I need to tell you something. Woman to woman."
My stomach tightened. 'Here we go.'
"Okay."
"Daniel and I… we have history."
"I've heard rumors."
"More than rumors." She took a sip of wine. "We were engaged since childhood. It ended five years ago."
I felt the restaurant walls tilted slightly.
"Engaged."
"Yeah. It ended badly. It was my choice. I wasn't ready from.. everything that comes with being with someone like him."
She smiled sadly. "But we remained close. He's my best friend. The person I trust most in the world."
"Why are you telling me this?"
Her eyes met mine. "Because I see the way he looks at you. Or rather, the way he talks about you. And I'm worried."
"Worried about what?"
"That you're going to get hurt."
She leaned forward. "Daniel is… complicated. He cares for people close to him deeply. But he's also married to his work. Relationships come second. Always."
"We don't have a relationship."
"Not yet. But you will. I know Daniel." She paused. "And I know what happens to the women who fall for him."
"What happens?"
"They leave, eventually. Because they realize they'll never be his priority."
My throat was tight. "Has there been… many?"
"Yes."
She reached her hand across the table, and touched the back of my hand lightly.
"Lulu, I'm not trying to be cruel. I'm preparing you. Because I like you. And I don't want to watch you go through what I went through."
"I appreciate that. But I can handle myself."
"Can you?"
She was smiling gently, but I felt it was like a mocking grin.
"You've been here a month. You're already moved to the executive floor. Already working late nights. Already receiving flowers."
My face must have shown my shock because she laughed softly.
"Everyone knows about the flowers, Lulu. You can't hide things in this company. Especially not from me."
"There's nothing to hide."
"Isn't there?" She pulled her hand back. "Look. I'm not judging on everything you do or feel. Daniel is… irresistible. I understand the appeal better than anyone."
"This isn't… we're not—"
"Not yet," she repeated her words. "But you will be. It will fall apart, and you'll wish someone had warned you."
She paid the bill, despite my protests.
As we stood to leave, she added, "One more thing. The gala is in two weeks."
"I know."
"Daniel will be there with me."
My heart stopped beating hearing the statement. "With you?"
"As his date. We go together every year. It's… tradition." She gave me an apologetic smile.
"I thought you should know, before you see us together and get the wrong idea."
"What idea would that be?"
"That what you have with him is more than it is."
She touched my arm gently, and smiled. "I'm sorry. But you need to hear it from someone who cares."
She left, and I just stood there, ignoring the buzzing restaurant around me.
Everything that Vivian said was crashing together in my mind.
Was I really just another woman who had fallen for Daniel? In the same method?
His message came right when I was inside the taxi on my way back to the office.
Daniel Tan: How was lunch with Vivian?
Me: Interesting.
Daniel Tan: She didn't upset you , did she?
Me: Why would she upset me?
Daniel Tan: Because Vivian has a habit of… overprotecting.
Me: She told me you're going to the gala together.
He didn't reply to me until I had almost arrived.
Daniel Tan: I can explain.
Me: Really?
Daniel Tan: Yes. But not like this, Lulu. Please wait.
Me: That's all you ever say. Wait. Trust me. Be patient.
Daniel Tan: I know. And I know it's not fair. But please trust me and wait.
Me: Two weeks, right? Until the gala.
Daniel Tan: Yes.
Me: Fine. I'll wait.
I turned off my phone before he could respond.