By the third day, Ethan realized something dangerous.
People were starting to notice.
Not him — not really. But Lena.
Every time she stopped by his desk, someone's eyes followed. Every time she laughed at something he said, whispers floated across the office like dust in sunlight.
"Who's the new intern?" someone murmured.
"And why is Lena always with him?"
Ethan pretended not to hear it, but Lena did.
She always did.
She felt it in the way conversations paused when she walked by. In the sideways looks. In the forced smiles that didn't reach the eyes.
"Office gossip," she muttered under her breath as she dropped a folder on Ethan's desk. "It never gets tired."
Ethan frowned. "They're talking about you?"
She shrugged, pretending it didn't matter. "They always do. I'm easy to talk about."
"That's not fair," he said quietly.
She gave a small smile. "Fair doesn't pay rent."
The words stayed with him longer than he liked.
Around noon, Lena was called into a meeting with senior editors. She returned half an hour later, her face pale, her steps slower.
"What happened?" Ethan asked, standing instinctively.
She shook her head. "Nothing."
But it was something.
Later, he overheard two assistants whispering near the copy room.
"Did you hear? The CEO might show up this week."
"Really? I heard he's ruthless."
"I heard he's handsome."
Ethan almost smiled at that.
Almost.
By late afternoon, the office felt tense. Deadlines loomed, phones rang nonstop, and tempers ran thin. Lena moved through it all like usual, but Ethan noticed the way her hands shook when she reached for coffee cups.
"You're doing too much," he said softly when she finally stopped beside him.
"If I don't, no one will," she replied.
That was when a sharp voice cut through the air.
"Lena."
Both of them turned.
Vanessa Clarke stood a few feet away, arms crossed, lips curved into a tight smile. She was a junior editor — ambitious, polished, and always dressed like she was ready for a magazine cover.
"Yes?" Lena asked calmly.
Vanessa's gaze flicked to Ethan. "I need you in Conference Room C. Now."
Lena nodded and followed her.
Ethan didn't like the look on Vanessa's face.
When Lena returned fifteen minutes later, her eyes were red.
"What did she say to you?" Ethan asked, lowering his voice.
Lena shook her head. "It doesn't matter."
"It does if it made you cry."
She exhaled shakily. "She said I should stop getting 'too comfortable' with interns. That people might get the wrong idea."
Anger rose in Ethan's chest — hot and unfamiliar.
"That's ridiculous," he said. "You've done nothing wrong."
Lena gave a sad smile. "I know. But perception matters here."
She picked up her bag. "I need some air."
Without thinking, Ethan followed her to the stairwell.
The stairwell was quiet, echoing, far from curious eyes. Lena leaned against the wall, arms wrapped around herself.
"I hate this place sometimes," she admitted. "No matter how hard I work, I'm still just… replaceable."
"You're not," Ethan said firmly. "Not to me."
She looked up at him, startled.
The words hung between them — heavy, dangerous.
"I didn't mean—" he started.
But she stepped closer.
"Why do you care so much?" she asked softly.
Because I love you.
The truth burned in his throat, but he swallowed it.
"Because you deserve kindness," he said instead.
Her breath hitched.
For a moment, they stood too close. He could smell her shampoo, feel the warmth of her presence. If he leaned forward just an inch—
Footsteps echoed.
They jumped apart.
"Sorry," Lena murmured quickly. "I should get back."
She left before he could stop her.
That evening, Ethan sat alone at his desk long after everyone else had gone home. The office lights dimmed, casting long shadows across the floor.
He had planned to observe.
Instead, he was involved.
Vanessa's words replayed in his head. Perception matters.
If anyone discovered who he really was, Lena would be the one hurt the most.
He clenched his fists.
"I won't let that happen," he whispered.
For the first time since he put on the disguise, Ethan made a decision.
If this lie was going to end, he would end it on his terms.
And when the truth came out…
He just hoped Lena would still look at him the same way.