Evelyn stared at the screen until the words began to blur. She had been going through files since she arrived, and every file felt like a dead end. She clicked another folder, scrolled through it, and shook her head.
Still nothing about Mia.
She leaned back and stretched her arms. Linda walked past her desk holding a mug of coffee.
"You've been sitting there all day," Linda said.
"I'm trying to understand how things work here," Evelyn replied.
Linda laughed. "This place? If you understand it, you're a genius."
Evelyn gave a small smile but said nothing. Linda walked off humming something under her breath.
Her laptop dinged. She checked her inbox, but the new file had the same name as one she opened earlier. She frowned and clicked it.
It wasn't the same file. Someone had changed the contents.
Before she could look closely, she heard footsteps. Xander's voice followed.
"You're still in that folder?"
Evelyn turned. Xander stood behind her, sleeves rolled up, tie loosened. He looked calmer than usual, but his eyes were sharp.
"I'm checking the reports you asked for," she said.
He rested one hand on her desk. "But you've been checking them for too long."
"I want to get it right."
"You always get it right," he said quietly, almost like he wanted her to hear it but pretended he didn't.
Evelyn's pulse jumped for no reason she wanted to admit.
He glanced at her laptop. "Show me."
She slid the laptop toward him. He scrolled through the file. After a few seconds, he closed it.
"This file isn't what I asked for," he said.
"I know. Someone sent it to replace the original."
Xander looked at her. Not surprised. Not confused. Just thinking.
"Who?" he asked.
"I'm not sure yet."
He stepped back. "Keep an eye on things. If anything else changes, tell me."
"Of course," she said.
He lingered a moment longer than he needed to, then walked back into his office.
Evelyn exhaled slowly. She touched her wrist, grounding herself.
Focus. You didn't come here to get distracted.
Another notification popped up on her screen. She clicked it.
It was blank. Completely blank.
She let out a frustrated sigh.
"What is going on?" she whispered.
She stood and walked to the break room. She didn't even want coffee; she just wanted a moment away.
Daniel from IT was sitting at the table eating chips.
"Hi," he said, waving the chip bag. "Want some?"
"No thanks," Evelyn said. "Just taking a short break."
Daniel nodded. "You'll need it. The first weeks here are tough."
She opened the fridge and stared at the drinks even though she didn't want any.
"Have you ever had issues with files changing?" she asked casually.
Daniel froze like she'd asked him something dangerous.
"Why? Did something change?"
"Some documents look different. That's all."
Daniel scratched his neck. "Look… it happens. Not a lot, but sometimes."
"System error?"
"No," he said quickly. "Someone is messing around."
"Who would do that?"
Daniel shrugged. "People here like games."
Evelyn didn't like that answer at all.
She returned to her desk. Xander's office door was open again. He was on a call, speaking sharply.
"No. Move the meeting. I don't care if they complain."
She tried not to listen but couldn't help hearing bits.
"I want full control. That's final."
He hung up and noticed her looking.
"Everything alright?" he asked.
"Yes," she lied.
He gave her a look like he didn't believe her.
"You're quiet today."
"I'm fine. Just working."
"Good," he said. "Stay focused."
He closed his door.
Evelyn opened another folder on her laptop. The content loaded, then flashed and turned into a different document altogether.
Her chest tightened. She clicked out.
This wasn't normal.
She needed to report this. She picked up her phone and typed a quick message to her director.
"Files keep changing. Someone's interfering."
He replied within a minute.
"Be careful. Your partner will join you soon. Do not confront anyone yet."
Evelyn frowned.
Her partner.
Assigned. But not here yet.
Her director sent another message.
"His name is Ryan Cole. You'll meet him when it's safe."
She replied:
"Okay."
Then she put her phone down.
She didn't know why, but she felt uneasy. Something about the message felt rushed, like her director was hiding something.
Linda approached her desk again. "Evelyn, do you have a minute?"
"Yes," Evelyn said.
"Are you settling in well?" Linda asked.
"I'm trying to," Evelyn replied.
Linda leaned against the desk. "Mr. Voss notices things. Even things you think he won't notice."
"I've noticed."
"He watches people closely. It's not a bad thing. He just likes control."
Evelyn didn't comment.
Linda lowered her voice. "He asked me a question earlier."
"What question?"
"He asked if you've been adjusting well. If you look stressed. Things like that."
Evelyn blinked. "Why?"
"I don't know," Linda said. "But he doesn't ask that about anyone else."
Evelyn looked away. She didn't want to think too much about that.
The rest of the staff started packing up. People walked around, shutting off computers, laughing, stretching, complaining about late buses and long drives home.
Evelyn tried to blend in and act normal. She organized a few files. Adjusted her pen holder. Typed nonsense into a document just to look busy.
When the office was almost empty, Linda walked back to her desk and whispered:
"Mr. Voss said you should stay after everyone leaves."
Evelyn froze.
"For what?"
Linda smirked. "He didn't tell me. He just said he needs you."
Evelyn forced a straight face. "Okay."
One by one, the rest of the employees walked out. The lights dimmed slightly. The floor became quiet.
Evelyn sat at her desk pretending to check emails, but her heart was beating fast.
After a few minutes, the door to Xander's office opened.
He walked out slowly, no jacket, his tie loose, sleeves rolled up again.
"You stayed," he said.
"Yes," she said carefully.
He stopped right in front of her desk.
"We need to talk," he said.
"About work?" she asked.
His eyes stayed on hers for a long second.
"No. Not about work."
Evelyn's breath hitched slightly.
"What do you want to talk about?" she asked.
Xander leaned in just a little.
"There are things I want from you," he said quietly.
"And I don't want anyone else to hear them."