Elaine stepped out of the elevator, the soft hum of office chatter wrapping around her as she walked back to her desk.
The bouquet of pink peonies felt heavier in her arms than before. She set it down gently on the edge of her desk, its soft colors in stark contrast to the dull tones of the room.
She rubbed her temples, trying to ease the tension in her head.
Focus, Elaine. Work.
Taking a breath, she pulled up her task list and began typing—but the sudden hush that spread through the room made her fingers pause over the keyboard.
Whispers.
Eyes.
All directed at her.
Her gaze lifted cautiously, scanning the rows of desks until it landed on the source.
Xylia Macron.
She was walking toward her—elegant, poised, and smiling in that way that wasn't a smile at all. In her hands, she held a matching bouquet of soft pink peonies.
Elaine's brows pulled together in confusion. What—?
"Sister," Xylia cooed sweetly, loud enough for the room to hear. "I know you liked my bouquet, but you should've just told me. I would've given it to you."
Her tone was gentle, generous, almost saintly.
Elaine rolled her eyes. Of course.
Around them, the whispers picked up again.
"She copied Xylia's bouquet?"
"That's the same one Enzo gave her—what was Elaine thinking?"
"Did she actually go buy the same bouquet herself? How shameless."
Elaine's fists clenched under the desk.
"I didn't buy it," she said, keeping her voice steady. "It was a gift."
"Oh?" Xylia tilted her head with an innocent expression. "Then… who gave it to you?"
She let out a soft laugh. "Whoever it is must really admire my sister to gift her the exact same bouquet as mine."
A few curious coworkers leaned in, clearly too eager to let the moment pass.
"Elaine, who's it from?"
"Come on, don't keep secrets now."
"Must be someone special!"
Elaine lowered her gaze, trapped.
I can't tell them it's from Dante. If I do…
If people knew, they'd say she was seducing the CEO. That she was using favors to get ahead. No one would care if she actually worked hard—her name would be smeared, and Xylia would use it to her advantage.
Her father would hear it too.
He'd never let her take over the company—not if it looked like she was scheming against his perfect stepdaughter.
And before she could stop herself, the words slipped out.
"It's from my boyfriend."
The silence that followed felt like it stretched forever.
Elaine instantly regretted it.
Why did I say that?
She wanted to smack herself.
Xylia's smile faltered for just a second—but she quickly masked it with a delighted gasp.
"Oh! Did you hear that, everyone?" she said with theatrical cheer. "My sister has a boyfriend! I'm so happy for you, Elaine."
She stepped closer, wrapping her arm around Elaine's, pretending to be affectionate.
Elaine forced a smile, but quickly pulled her arm free from Xylia's grip.
"What? She never even told Xylia?"
"That's odd."
"Some people just don't like to share their private life."
"Maybe it's a new relationship, that's why."
Elaine quietly exhaled, relief washing over her.
They weren't judging her anymore. If anything, they looked intrigued.
Xylia, however, stood stiff, her lips pressed tightly together.
The attention was no longer on her. No insults thrown at Elaine. No whispers of shame.
Just curiosity.
And it burned. How could Xylia let go of the opportunity to embarrass Elaine?
"But how come he gave you same bouquet as me? Enzo gave me first…" she pouted yet her question make another hash around them.