Chapter 7: Treading on Thin Ice
1005 Words
Eva sat in the corner office, her fingers drumming nervously against the sleek mahogany desk. The tension in the room was palpable as her team sat across from her, all eyes focused on the unfolding scandal. Her assistant, Leah, fidgeted with a tablet, avoiding Eva’s gaze, while Richard, her business partner, paced by the window with his phone glued to his ear.
The media frenzy surrounding Alex Grayson’s alleged corporate espionage had exploded overnight, casting a dark shadow over everything. And now, the fallout was creeping into her world, threatening to tear apart the professional life she had spent years building.
"We need to distance ourselves from him," Richard muttered, breaking the silence as he finally ended his call. He walked toward Eva, his expression serious. "This isn't just bad press, Eva. If these allegations stick, and you're seen anywhere near him, our firm’s reputation will go up in flames."
Eva stiffened. The weight of his words settled heavily on her chest. Richard was right. She knew the scandal had already caught the business world's attention, and her connection to Alex, however tenuous, could damage everything she'd worked for.
"But what if the allegations aren't true?" Leah spoke up timidly, her gaze flickering toward Eva before settling on her tablet again. "Shouldn't we wait for the facts before making any decisions?"
Richard shook his head firmly. "Facts don't matter when the media's already decided. You know how these things work—public perception is everything."
Eva listened quietly, feeling the room closing in on her. Alex had texted her multiple times since the news broke, insisting he was innocent, but she hadn't responded. She needed time to think and figure out what was best for her. But every second passed felt like a ticking clock, urging her to decide.
"Eva," Richard said, his tone softening slightly. "I know this is hard, but we must protect the firm. We need to protect you."
His words were like ice water splashing over her. Protecting her career had always been her top priority—she had never allowed personal distractions to interfere with her professional ambitions. And yet, she was at a crossroads, torn between the man who had so unexpectedly wormed his way into her life and the career she had fought so hard to achieve.
“I need some time,” Eva finally said, her voice strained. “I’ll decide by tomorrow.”
Richard nodded, though his concern was evident. "Just don't wait too long. The clock's ticking, and it gets worse every minute we stay connected to this mess."
Eva let out a long, shaky breath as soon as her team left the room. She leaned back in her chair, staring at the ceiling as her mind raced. What was she supposed to do? If she cut ties with Alex, her career would be safe, and the firm would survive this storm. But the thought of turning her back on him, especially if he was innocent, twisted something inside her.
Her phone buzzed on the desk, pulling her out of her thoughts. It was another message from Alex.
Alex: Eva, please, you have to believe me. I didn’t do this. Meet me tonight. We need to talk.
Eva stared at the message, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn’t avoid him forever. Sooner or later, she would have to confront this situation head-on. But was she ready to face the truth, whatever it may be?
She picked up the phone, typing out a response.
Eva: I’ll meet you at 8.
Later that evening, Eva found herself outside Alex’s penthouse. The building loomed tall against the dark sky, its lights casting a soft glow over the quiet street. She hesitated at the door, her mind filled with doubt. Part of her wanted to turn around, leave this mess behind, and focus on her career. But another part of her needed answers—she needed to know whether she could trust Alex or if everything between them had been a lie.
The door opened before she could knock, and Alex stood in the doorway, looking more disheveled than she’d ever seen him. His usual polished, confident demeanor was replaced by something far more vulnerable.
“Eva,” he said softly, stepping aside to let her in. “Thank you for coming.”
Eva walked inside, her heart pounding. Their tension was thick, and the silence that followed only worsened it.
“Alex,” she began, her voice unsteady. “I don’t know what to believe. This whole scandal… it’s all over the news. My firm is pressuring me to distance myself from you. I need to know the truth. Did you do it?”
Alex’s eyes darkened, and for a moment, she saw a flicker of something raw in his expression. He walked toward her, stopping just a foot away, his gaze locked on hers.
“I swear to you, Eva, I didn’t do it. This is a setup. Someone is trying to ruin me, and I have no idea why.” His voice was filled with desperation, sending a shiver down her spine.
Eva searched his face, looking for any signs of deception. She wanted to believe him—needed to believe him. But the doubt gnawed at her.
“What if the allegations stick?” she whispered. “What happens then?”
Alex took a step closer, his hand brushing hers. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “But I can’t lose you, Eva. Could you believe in me? I need you by my side.”
His words wrapped around her heart, tugging at her resolve. But the decision wasn’t just about their relationship—it was about everything she had worked for and built. One wrong move could all come crashing down.
“I can’t make that promise, Alex,” she said softly, pulling her hand away. “I need time to think.”
Alex’s face fell, but he nodded. “I understand. … don’t give up on me yet. Please.”
- Writer
