Page 28 of Boss's Red Glare

15

Connor

I stare blankly at my phone, rereading Maisie’s last text for what feels like the hundredth time.

Please stop calling and texting. I heard everything. I want nothing to do with you, Connor.

Confusion knots painfully in my chest. Heard everything? What does she mean? Sunday morning, everything felt perfect—waking up beside her, bringing her coffee and sweets, hearing her say she felt the same way about me that I felt about her. Everything was good.

Now it’s Tuesday, and Maisie isn’t here. She’s called out sick, something she never does. Anxiety gnaws at me, and I pace my office, hands running through my hair, frustration rising with each passing second.

This makes no sense. I need to talk to her, to explain, to figure out what she’s thinking. But she won’t answer my calls, texts, anything.

A sharp knock at my door pulls me from my spiraling thoughts. Darren steps inside, brows furrowed in concern.

“Hey, man,” he says carefully. “You okay? You’ve looked like hell since yesterday.”

I sink heavily into my chair, sighing deeply. “Maisie won’t talk to me. She texted me last night, saying she wants nothing to do with me. I don’t know what happened.”

Darren’s eyes widen slightly, confusion evident on his face. “What? After the weekend you guys had? That doesn’t make sense.”

“I know,” I say roughly, rubbing my forehead. “Everything was perfect. And now she’s called out, won’t answer any messages, nothing. I can’t figure out what went wrong.”

Darren crosses his arms, expression thoughtful. “Did something happen at the office yesterday?”

“I don’t know.” I shrug helplessly. “I haven’t seen her since Sunday. She left yesterday morning before I got here.”

“Hmm,” Darren murmurs, clearly puzzled. “Did someone say something? Something that would upset her?”

I shake my head slowly. “Not that I’m aware of. But clearly something happened. I just need to talk to her, but she won’t answer.”

Before Darren can respond, there’s a gentle knock at the door, and Kaley steps in. Her blonde hair bobs lightly over her shoulders, a bright, innocent smile on her face. “Hey, Connor. Just checking in.”

I force a polite nod, distracted. “Hi, Kaley. Did you need something?”

“No,” she says cheerfully. “Just wanted to say I’m glad you and Maisie don’t have to pretend anymore. It must be a relief for you.”

My entire body tenses instantly, a cold dread creeping down my spine. “What are you talking about, Kaley?”

She tilts her head innocently. “You know, your fake relationship? The one you had to put on for the investors? I was telling Veronica and Tiffany yesterday how exhausting it probably was for you. Pretending to date someone like Maisie must have been so awkward.”

A heavy silence fills the room, realization slamming into me like a tidal wave. I stare at Kaley, disbelief and fury rising sharply in my chest. “You said what?”

Kaley’s eyes widen in surprise at my tone, suddenly nervous. “I just assumed…I thought you’d be relieved the whole fake-dating thing was over. Everyone knew it was just for the investors.”

Darren clears his throat, tension crackling from him as he steps forward. “Kaley, did you tell people Connor didn’t want to be with Maisie?”

She nods hesitantly, eyes darting between us. “Well, yeah. I mean, it was obvious. I just told Veronica and Tiffany that Connor probably hated pretending because, well…someone like Maisie isn’t really his type.”

Anger flares hotly inside me, my fists clenching tightly on the desk. “Kaley, that was completely inappropriate. None of thatwas true. Maisie and I…what we have is very real. And now you’ve ruined everything.”

Kaley’s cheeks turn bright red, panic filling her eyes. “Oh, Connor…I didn’t know. I’m sorry.”

“Just go,” Darren says sharply, stepping forward. Kaley quickly scurries out, leaving a heavy, tense silence behind her.

I sink back into my chair, realization making me nauseous. “She overheard them, Darren. She heard them and thought I’d said those things.”

He nods gravely, sighing. “Sounds like it. Dammit, man. That explains everything.”

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