"Just drop me off here. It's close enough to the office," Zoe said, glancing sideways at Stacy. "We agreed to keep things under wraps for now, remember?"
"But—"
"Nah-uh. If you don't drop me here, next time I'm not letting you drive me to work at all," Zoe teased, making Stacy stop the car with a grin.
"Okay, okay," Stacy sighed, rolling her eyes but smiling. "Just be safe, alright? I want my beautiful girlfriend showing up at the office in one piece."
"Yes, Ma'am!" Zoe popped the car door open and saluted playfully.
"See you at work," Stacy called after her as Zoe stepped out.
As Stacy drove off, Zoe's thoughts lingered on their weekend together. They'd both agreed to keep their relationship a secret for now—Stacy, as CEO, had to maintain her professional image, and Zoe worried about the repercussions for her role.
-
Back at her desk after the short walk, Zoe settled into her chair and reached for her laptop. Just as she was about to open her email, her phone buzzed softly in her pocket. She glanced down and saw a new message from Stacy.
I miss you already :(
Zoe couldn't help but smile and quickly replied:
We were just together 15 minutes ago.
Barely had she sent it when her phone buzzed again:
I want to be with you every minute, every second :(
Zoe smirked, typing her response with a playful shake of her head.
I wouldn't have pegged you as the clingy type, Ms. Holloway.
A beat passed, then:
Only to you, Ms. Rivera.
Grinning like a kid who'd just found the last slice of cake, Zoe didn't notice the dozen curious eyes silently zeroing in on her.
"Ahem! Well, well, someone here seems like they've fallen head over heels and forgot to hit the 'hide' button," Noah teased, raising a perfectly arched eyebrow.
Zoe nearly dropped her phone. She glanced up, cheeks warming. "It's nothing—just my friend. She's sending me some, uh, memes," she said, voice a little too casual.
"Noah knows when someone's lying," he said with a sly smirk, crossing his arms. "Memes, huh? Sure, and I'm the Queen of England."
Zoe rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the smile that threatened to give her away.
"Keep dreaming," she shot back, but her fluttering heart betrayed her.
-
At lunch break Zoe stood in line, ordering her usual favorite meal, trying to keep her thoughts focused on the rest of her day. Just as she received her tray, a familiar voice startled her.
"I'll have what she's having," said Stacy smoothly, appearing at Zoe's side without warning.
Zoe blinked, flustered. "Stacy? What are you doing here?"
The employee behind the counter paused in surprise, glancing between the two women.
"You'll eat here?" Zoe asked, arching a brow as she stepped aside to let Stacy place her order.
"Why not?" Stacy replied with a sly smile. "Am I not allowed to?"
"It's just..." Zoe lowered her voice, glancing around. "You're the CEO. You never eat in the pantry with the rest of us. People might talk."
Stacy leaned in closer, her tone teasing. "So what if they do? I want to eat lunch with my girlfriend, not alone in a boring office."
Zoe's cheeks flushed, and she shot her a warning look. "You're going to blow our cover."
Stacy winked as she picked up her tray. "Then let them wonder."
Without waiting for a reply, she strode over to the far table where Noah, Jenny, and a few others were chatting over their meals. Conversations dropped mid-sentence when they noticed her approaching.
"Mind if I sit?" Stacy asked, her voice casual, but the entire table went silent for a second too long.
Jenny, snapping out of it, quickly stood. "Of course, Ms. Holloway! Please, take my seat."
"No need." Stacy gestured for her to sit back down and took an empty seat at the end of the table.
The team awkwardly shifted, trying to act natural. Zoe hesitated for a heartbeat before walking over and sliding into the seat beside her.
Jenny glanced at Zoe with a raised brow, then looked back at Stacy. "Didn't expect to see you here, Ms. Holloway."
Stacy gave her an easy smile as she unwrapped her sandwich. "Sometimes the best food is right under your nose. I've been missing out."
Noah chuckled nervously. "Well, welcome to the pantry, then. Just don't judge us too hard."
Zoe glanced at Stacy from the corner of her eye, trying to hide a smile. Stacy, ever composed, took a bite and said, "Trust me—this is the best lunch I've had in weeks."
Zoe leaned over just slightly and whispered, "You're impossible."
Stacy replied without looking, "And yet, here you are, sitting next to me."
Everyone slowly began to relax as the conversation picked up again, the initial shock of the CEO sitting with them fading into amused curiosity. Stacy blended in surprisingly well, laughing at a joke Jenny cracked and complimenting Noah's choice of drink.
Noah took a long sip from his bottle, then leaned forward on the table, his eyes lighting up. "So... team building's next weekend. You all ready for it?"
Jenny groaned. "Ugh, don't remind me. I'm still sore from last year's tug-of-war."
"Hey, we're going for the win this year," Noah grinned. "No mercy. I hope you all have been working on your cardio."
Zoe chuckled softly, "It's not a war, Noah."
"Tell that to Marketing. They train like it's the Olympics."
The table laughed, and even Stacy smiled, amused. Noah turned his attention to her with a mischievous glint in his eye.
"What about you, Ms. Holloway? Will we be seeing you at the team building? You're officially invited to observe... or join."
Zoe immediately shot him a sharp look, eyes wide. "Noah—"
But Stacy raised a brow, interested. "Oh? I'm invited?"
"Of course!" Noah said enthusiastically. "Everyone's dying to see if the CEO can take on the obstacle course."
Stacy smirked. "I could. Might even put some of you to shame."
Zoe placed her fork down, turning to Noah with the most neutral expression she could muster—though her eyes gave her away.
"She's the CEO, Noah. She doesn't attend every company event. She's busy. Very busy."
The table went quiet for a moment.
Stacy tilted her head, glancing sideways at Zoe. "Oh? I think I could free up a day. It might be nice to see the team in action."
Zoe didn't look at her. "You don't have to. Honestly, there's no need. It's just games. Silly stuff."
Jenny jumped in, trying to ease the tension. "It's a lot of fun though! Last year's human pyramid—hilarious."
"I'd pay to see Ms. Holloway in that pyramid," Noah added, grinning.
Zoe let out a nervous laugh. "Yeah, and then HR will have to get involved."
Stacy leaned in ever so slightly, her voice low and smooth.
"Are you afraid to compete with me, Ms. Rivera?"
Zoe paused mid-bite, her fingers tightening around her fork. She didn't look at Stacy, eyes fixed on her tray as she replied in a whisper, calm but careful.
"It's not that. We just really think you're... a busy person."
Her words were measured, but her mind raced.
Don't come. Please don't come.
Stacy tilted her head, studying Zoe with that unreadable smile.
"Okay," she said gently. "Then I'll come. I think it'll be fun."
Zoe blinked, the shock flashing across her face for a split second—but she masked it quickly, schooling her features into something neutral.
Don't react. Don't look panicked. Just breathe.
Stacy glanced around the table, then back at Zoe with a soft, knowing smile.
"I'll be cheering for all of you."
The rest of the table lit up immediately.
"No way! The CEO's actually coming?" Noah grinned.
"Now it's official—we have to win," Jenny added, practically bouncing in her seat.
Cheers and laughter broke out, excitement buzzing through the team.
But Zoe only managed a faint smile.
Noah clapped his hands, hyped. "Alright, team! This is our year. Let's not make Jenny carry us again."
"Hey!" Jenny protested, laughing as she tossed a balled-up napkin at him.
The moment moved on, and the table returned to light chatter and jokes.
But Zoe stayed a little quieter, her smile small and controlled—because inside, her thoughts were a storm.
She kept stealing glances at Stacy, who now chatted casually with Noah, perfectly at ease, perfectly in control.
Zoe, on the other hand, felt anything but.
Because next weekend, she'd have to face the most competitive obstacle course of all:
Pretending her girlfriend was just her CEO.