Back at the office, Maya rushed over the moment I arrived. "Ms. Hart, you went to Mr. Mercer's office, didn't you? What did you talk about? Did you two make up?"

"What do you think?" I replied, meeting her gaze directly.

Under my stare, Maya fidgeted nervously and grabbed my arm. "I'm sorry, Ms. Hart. I didn't mean to hide it from you. I was just afraid you'd be upset..."

"You were afraid it would affect work, and you'd get scolded, right?" I ...