The morning sun spilled through Mia's apartment window, catching the dust motes dancing in the air. She lay in bed a moment longer than usual, staring at the ceiling as a swirl of excitement and anxiety fought for dominance in her chest. Today wasn't just any day. Today was her first day at Biotherm, the marketing department she had dreamed of joining ever since she had first read about the company's campaigns.
Her thoughts immediately drifted to Marcus. Last night's words echoed softly in her mind: "I will never hurt you." She had wanted to believe him, but the memory of betrayal was still a delicate, sharp thing lodged in her chest. Could she truly let herself hope again? Could she trust?
Mia swung her legs over the edge of the bed and forced herself to move. She dressed carefully, choosing a crisp blouse and skirt, simple but professional. She pulled her hair into a neat ponytail and double-checked her bag: notebook, pens, phone, lunch, everything. Every small ritual of readiness grounded her, but her mind refused to settle.
Breathe, she told herself. You can do this. You've faced hard days before. This is just work.
"forget about everything , Mia, this my new beginning, let make it work"
Even as she walked through the city streets toward the office, the early morning bustle seemed louder than usual. Horns honked, pedestrians chatted, and the smell of coffee and asphalt mixed in the air. But Mia's attention kept drifting inward, to Marcus's smile, his hand brushing hers, the way he had listened without judgment.
By the time she reached the sleek, glass-fronted Biotherm building, her chest was tight, her palms slightly clammy. She paused at the revolving doors, taking a deep breath, and reminded herself why she was here—not because of Marcus, but because of her own merit and persistence.
Inside, the lobby was immaculate: high ceilings, polished marble floors, and soft, filtered sunlight from the glass walls. A receptionist greeted her with a professional smile and directed her toward the marketing floor. Mia felt a thrill she hadn't anticipated—this was the kind of place where ideas mattered, where creativity and strategy collided in a way she had always longed to experience.
"Good morning! You must be Mia. Ms. Langston is expecting you on the marketing floor," she said, gesturing toward the elevators.
Mia nodded, her stomach twisting with excitement and nerves. As the elevator doors closed, she took a deep breath. "I belong here. I earned this".
The marketing floor was a flurry of activity. Open desks lined the space, decorated with monitors, notebooks, and the occasional coffee mug. Colleagues typed, spoke quietly into headsets, and moved with a purpose Mia could almost feel pulsing in the air. It was daunting, but invigorating.
"Ah, Mia! Welcome to Biotherm," a firm yet warm voice called. Ms. Langston approached, her tailored blazer and confident posture radiating authority. "I've heard good things about you from the HR team. Let me show you around."
Mia follow her supervisor, trying to absorb everything. After a brief introduction to her team, Mia settled at her assigned desk. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard for a moment, then she plunged into her first task: drafting a social media campaign schedule. She paused, rereading the instructions, then smiled faintly.I can do this.
Hours passed quickly as she focused on her work. The occasional chatter of colleagues, the hum of the printer, and the ringing of phones became a background rhythm she could sink into. And all the while, she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Not in a threatening way—more like… careful observation.
Across the office, in a private glass-enclosed suite, Marcus sat in his chair, hidden behind one-way glass. Few employees had ever seen him. For months, he had been working at Biotherm under the guise of Marketing Department Manager. No one on the floor knew he was actually the CEO of the company—only the executives and a few trusted insiders were aware of his true identity.
He preferred it this way. Blending in allowed him to see the company from the ground up, understand employees' strengths and weaknesses, and interact without the barriers his CEO title often created. Most importantly, it allowed him to be near Mia without the weight of authority overshadowing their interactions.
Marcus watched Mia quietly, pride swelling in his chest. She was professional, focused, and poised—but he could see hints of nerves, the careful self-restraint. That fear she carried from her past heartbreak… he didn't want her to experience it again.
"She's… Beautiful" he muttered under his breath and smile. Yet even as pride filled him, he felt the familiar tug of fear. She had been hurt before. He couldn't risk shattering the fragile trust they were building. For now, he remained hidden, observing quietly.
Meanwhile, across town, in a sleek high-rise office, Isabella Sinclair sipped her espresso. Her green eyes were sharp, calculating, as she scanned Marcus's social media updates. She hadn't forgotten him—not fully—and the thought of another woman in his life filled her with a cold, determined envy.
Isabella wasn't just ambitious—she was cunning. She had been working at Biotherm as Senior Marketing Manager for about a year and a half. She met Marcus through Ethan, Marcus's closest friend. They had dated for six months before breaking up. The breakup had been messy: Marcus had caught her cheating, and when confronted, she spun a story claiming she had been drugged and forced into the situation. He saw through the lie immediately, ending the relationship quietly. Isabella left furious and humiliated—but never remorseful.
She hadn't forgotten him—not really. Marcus Thompson had been a challenge, a flame she thought she could never extinguish, and the sight of him happy with someone else made her stomach tighten with a mix of envy and regret. Isabella's lips curled into a small, calculating smile.
Isabella pushed her chair closer to her colleague, Anna, a sly smile playing on her lips.
"Anna, don't you notice Marcus has been so happy these days? Do you think he might be dating?" she whispered, glancing toward Marcus through the office glass.
Anna raised an eyebrow, sensing Isabella's underlying tone. "Hmm… maybe," she said cautiously. "But who would he be seeing?"
Isabella's smile widened, sharp and calculating. "I don't know yet… but I intend to find out. Something tells me there's more going on than meets the eye."
Back at Biotherm, Mia focused on her tasks, unaware of the web being spun. Emails, spreadsheets, campaign outlines—the rhythm of the office absorbed her. She even suggested a small improvement to a social media campaign, earning nods of approval from her team. Confidence swelled, but the nagging doubt from Isabella's email lingered in her mind.
Ms. Langston appeared at her desk. "You're doing well, Mia. I've noticed your attention to detail. Keep it up."
Mia forced a small, shaky smile. "Thank you, Ms. Langston I'll do my best."
Marcus, watching from his office, felt torn between pride and concern. He wanted to clarify the situation for Mia, but timing was delicate. One wrong move could make her doubt him before she fully trusted him.
Marcus couldn't resist the pull of his thoughts about Mia. Her focus, her laughter, the way she carried herself—it all lingered in his mind. Finally, he picked up his phone and typed a quick message, his fingers hovering for a moment before sending:
"Hi, babe. Can we meet during the launch time? I miss you."
By mid-afternoon, Mia had finished her tasks for the day, her confidence growing with every completed campaign outline. Her phone buzzed quietly in her bag. Pulling it out, she saw a message from Marcus:
"Hi, babe. Can we meet during the launch time? I miss you."
Her chest fluttered. She hadn't expected the term of endearment—babe—and the simple words made her heart race. She typed back quickly:
"Of course. I'll meet you at the main entrance."
Moments later, she walked toward the grand entrance of Biotherm's building. The sunlight reflected off the glass panels, creating tiny prisms of light around her as she scanned the steps. And there he was—Marcus, leaning casually against his car, his usual calm expression softened by a small, welcoming smile.
"Hey," he said, his voice warm and low. "Ready for the launch?"
Mia's nerves fluttered, but she returned his smile. "Yes… I think so."
They walked side by side toward his car, the rhythm of the city buzzing around them. Their hands brushed lightly as she climbed into the passenger seat, and Marcus's eyes lingered on her with quiet admiration. She felt it—the steady, sincere attention he gave her, the kind that had made her walls slowly crumble.
Inside the office building, Isabella glanced up from her desk, her sharp green eyes catching the sight of Marcus and Mia exiting together. Curiosity prickled through her.
Who is she? Isabella thought, narrowing her eyes. And why does he look so… comfortable with her?
She leaned slightly forward, adjusting her chair to get a better view as Marcus opened the car door for Mia and walked around to the driver's side. Something about their interaction—a casual intimacy, a softness in his gaze—made her pulse quicken with a mix of curiosity and unease.
Interesting, Isabella muttered to herself. She didn't yet know the truth—they were already together—but her instincts told her that Mia wasn't just another colleague. Marcus's focus, his protective subtlety… it was different.
Leaning back in her chair, Isabella smiled faintly, a mixture of intrigue and calculation. I need to watch this closely, she thought. There's more going on than I realize, and I intend to find out what it is.
Outside, the car ride to the launch was filled with light conversation, shared laughter, and the quiet warmth of familiarity. Mia leaned back in her seat, feeling a strange mix of comfort and excitement. Marcus, glancing at her from the driver's side, caught the subtle smile playing on her lips and felt a quiet satisfaction.
Without a word, Marcus reached over and gently took her hand, his thumb brushing across her knuckles. Mia's heart fluttered, a warmth spreading through her chest. The city lights reflected in the windshield, casting a soft glow over them.
He leaned closer, his gaze holding hers, and pressed his lips to hers. The kiss was deep, tender, and deliberate—a quiet declaration of the feelings they had been exploring together. Mia responded instinctively, leaning into the warmth, letting the moment sweep away the nerves and hesitations that had lingered for so long.
When they finally pulled back, their foreheads rested against each other, breaths mingling, hearts racing in sync. Marcus's eyes softened. "I've wanted to do that since the first day," he whispered.
Mia's voice was barely audible. "Me too… but I was scared."
"I know," he said, his hand still holding hers. "And I'll never rush you. We'll take this… one step at a time.
By the time they arrived at the Biotherm launch venue, the sky had begun to deepen into twilight, the city lights reflecting off the sleek building façades. Marcus parked the car and turned toward Mia, offering his hand as she stepped out. Their fingers brushed, and though brief, the contact was enough to show the quiet intimacy that had been growing between them.
Inside the main hall, colleagues and executives were setting up displays for the new marketing campaign launch. Mia's eyes widened slightly at the scale of the event—the banners, the screens, the energy buzzing in the room. She felt a mixture of pride and nervous excitement, knowing this was the first project she would witness in its entirety.
Marcus stayed close, his presence a grounding force. He glanced at Mia, seeing her eyes darting around in curiosity, and offered her a reassuring smile. She returned it, feeling her chest lift with confidence.
Her green eyes narrowed. Who is she? Isabella thought, heart quickening with a mix of curiosity and something else—an old spark of envy. Why does he look so… at ease with her?
She leaned slightly forward in her chair, her sharp mind cataloging every detail—the way Marcus's hand brushed hers, the soft smile they shared, the ease of their conversation. Her pulse quickened, not with anger, but with interest. This isn't just another colleague, she realized. There's something different here… and I need to know what it is.
Without hesitation, Isabella rose from her desk and walked purposefully toward Marcus. She approached with a casual, practiced smile, though her green eyes flicked toward Mia, glinting with a hint of something darker—curiosity tinged with envy.
"Hi, hmm…" she began, her tone light but deliberate. "I just wanted to talk to you. I've been trying to catch you since this morning, but you seemed busy."
Her gaze lingered on Mia for a fraction of a second, sharp and calculating, before returning to Marcus. The look was subtle but unmistakable: Isabella had noticed. And now, her curiosity was piqued enough to start probing.
Marcus straightened slightly, a polite smile on his face. "Isabella. It's good to see you. Yes, it's been a busy morning with preparations for the launch."
Mia, noticing the interaction, felt a flicker of unease. There was something about Isabella's gaze, the way it measured her, that made her chest tighten. Marcus, sensing Mia's discomfort, subtly positioned himself slightly closer, a quiet gesture of reassurance.
Isabella's smile remained perfectly composed, but her mind was racing. She took a small step closer to Marcus, letting her voice drop to a quieter, more conspiratorial tone.
"So… Marcus," she began, tilting her head slightly, her green eyes sharp and calculating, "I've noticed you've been… different lately. Happier. More… relaxed. Care to tell me what's been going on? You know, ever since we broke up, I've been… single. And now I see that smile—are you dating someone?"
Her words were casual, almost teasing—but the underlying challenge was unmistakable. She was fishing, testing, trying to read Marcus and see if he would reveal anything about his private life.
Marcus kept his expression calm, careful not to let any irritation or surprise show. He subtly shifted closer to Mia, a protective gesture, while meeting Isabella's eyes evenly. "I'm focused on my work and the launch preparations," he said smoothly. "That's been keeping me busy."
Mia's brow furrowed slightly, curiosity getting the better of her. She glanced at Marcus, then at Isabella, her mind racing. Something in the way Isabella had approached them—the familiarity, the pointed questions—made her uneasy.
"Who is she to you?" Mia asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Marcus's eyes softened as he looked at her. He could see the hint of worry in her gaze, the way her hands tightened lightly on her bag strap. He gently brushed a strand of hair from her face and spoke quietly, so only she could hear.
"She's… someone from the past," he said carefully. "Someone I was involved with before. But that's all it is—past."
Mia exhaled slowly, the tension in her chest easing just a little. She trusted Marcus, but the presence of Isabella, and the way she had stared at them, left a small prickling doubt at the edges of her thoughts.
Marcus gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "You don't need to worry. She's not part of my present… or my future. That's with you."
Mia hesitated, then spoke softly, her eyes searching his face. "But I think she's still into you. I can see it… the way she looks at you."
Marcus paused, taking her concern seriously. He turned fully toward her, lowering his voice. "I won't lie to you," he said calmly. "She may still have feelings. But that doesn't change anything for me. What I feel now is clear."
Mia studied his expression, looking for uncertainty—and finding none. Still, the unease lingered faintly in her chest.
Marcus brushed his thumb gently over her hand. "I won't let anyone come between us," he added. "Not her. Not anyone."
Mia nodded slowly. "Okay," she said, choosing to trust him—choosing, once again, to stand instead of retreat.
From across the room, Isabella watched them, her expression carefully neutral. But behind her composed smile, her curiosity had sharpened into something far more dangerous.
The rest of the evening passed without further tension. The launch wrapped up successfully, applause filling the hall as the final presentation ended. Mia stood among her colleagues, pride swelling in her chest. For her first official company event, she had done well—better than she'd expected.
Marcus stayed close, but never overbearing. When they finally left the venue, the city had grown quiet, streets glowing under soft streetlights. He walked her to her door, his hand warm in hers.
"Today was long," he said gently. "You must be tired, right?"
Mia smiled and nodded. "Yes, I'm tired—but happy. It felt like a new beginning."
Marcus stepped closer, his gaze soft. He leaned in and pressed a gentle goodnight kiss to her lips, unhurried and full of promise.
And for the first time in a long while, she truly believed it.
Two Weeks Later
Biotherm had begun to feel familiar.
Mia now moved through the office with growing confidence, greeting colleagues by name, understanding the flow of meetings, deadlines, and campaigns. Her desk no longer felt foreign. It felt earned.
She had met Ethan, Marcus's closest friend, during a strategy meeting. He was warm, easygoing, and instantly welcoming.
"So you're the genius behind that social media adjustment," Ethan had said with a grin. "Nice work."
Mia laughed, slightly embarrassed. "I wouldn't call it genius."
"Well, Marcus noticed," he replied casually—then paused, smirking. "He notices a lot, that is why I him"
Mia smiled, unaware of how much Ethan already knew about her place in Marcus's life.
She had also grown close to Nina, a fellow marketing associate who quickly became her work friend. Nina was outspoken, observant, and fiercely loyal.
Leaning closer, Nina whispered with a playful grin, "I actually like Mr. Ethan."
Mia blinked in surprise, then laughed softly. "Really?"
Nina nodded, eyes sparkling. "There's just something about him. He's kind… and he's handsome."
Mia smiled, glad that amidst deadlines and meetings, she had found not just a job—but people who made the place feel lighter.
From her office across the floor, Isabella watched.
Mia Johnson no longer looked like the nervous new hire she'd first noticed weeks ago. She laughed easily now, leaned comfortably into conversations, and moved through the marketing department with a quiet confidence that hadn't been there before. People listened when she spoke. Nina especially—always at her side, always nodding in agreement.
Isabella's fingers stilled over her keyboard.
She had been watching Marcus too. The way his gaze lingered just a second longer when Mia passed. The way meetings seemed shorter when Mia was present. Subtle things—things most people wouldn't notice. But Isabella noticed everything.
So that's it, she thought coolly.
During a break, Isabella walked past Mia's desk, offering a polite smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "You're settling in well," she said lightly. "It's good to see."
"Thank you," Mia replied, returning the smile, unaware of the weight behind it. "Everyone's been really welcoming."
Isabella nodded slowly. "Biotherm has a way of… making people feel at home. Anyway, you're welcome here. I hope we get along well."A smile curved her lips—but it was sharp, deliberate. A devil's smile.
She turned and walked away, heels clicking softly against the floor, her expression hardening just slightly once Mia was out of view.
Mia wasn't just comfortable anymore.
She was rooted.
Isabella waited for the right moment.
Late afternoon meetings had thinned out, the floor growing quieter as teams wrapped up their day. Marcus stood by the coffee machine, scrolling through his phone, his expression neutral—focused. Isabella approached casually, as if by chance.
"Marcus," she said warmly, "you still take your coffee black. Some habits never change."
He looked up, surprised only for a fraction of a second. "Isabella," he replied calmly. "What do you need?"
She smiled, leaning against the counter, just a little too close. "Nothing work-related. I was just remembering… us. You used to come here every afternoon. We talked about everything."
Marcus stepped back slightly, creating space. "That was a long time ago."
Isabella studied his face, searching for softness—and finding none. Still, she pressed on.
"I heard you're spending a lot of time with someone new," she said lightly. "She seems… nice."
His eyes hardened, just a bit. "My personal life isn't up for discussion and whoever i meet is non of your business."
Isabella chuckled softly, raising her hands in surrender. "Relax. I'm not trying to intrude." She paused, then added quietly, "I just hope she knows how lucky she is, and precise am not here for trouble, I just want us to be friend, let forget what happen between us."
Marcus held her gaze for a moment, unreadable. "That won't be possible," he said evenly. "But I expect professionalism."
From across the floor, Mia had stopped at the printer.
She hadn't meant to watch—but something about Isabella's posture, the closeness, the familiarity in her smile made Mia hesitate. She saw Marcus step back, heard nothing of the words exchanged, only caught Isabella's soft laugh.
Isabella smiled again—sweet on the surface, calculating beneath. "Of course," she said. "Professionalism."
As she walked away, her smile faded, replaced by a cold resolve.
If she couldn't reach him directly…
She would find another way.
A knot formed inside Mia's stomach.
Nina noticed immediately. "You okay?" she whispered.
Mia forced a smile. "Yeah. I just… didn't realize they were that close."
Nina hesitated, then leaned in. "Yeah… I heard they were once lovers. People said they were really into each other." She glanced across the room before adding quietly, "And honestly? To me, Isabella still looks like she's not over him."
Mia's fingers tightened around her coffee cup.
She nodded slowly, pretending it didn't bother her—while something uneasy settled deep in her chest.
Later that evening, Mia's phone buzzed with a notification—an internal email accidentally sent to the wrong group chat.
Subject: Old Files – Marcus T.From: Isabella Sinclair
Attached was an outdated photo from a past campaign: Marcus and Isabella, standing too close, laughing—intimate enough to sting.
Mia stared at the screen, her chest tightening.
She knew it was old.She knew it meant nothing.
And yet…
Somewhere in the building, Isabella watched her screen, lips curving into a slow, satisfied smile.
The first seed had been planted.
After work, Mia slipped out of the office quietly, her bag slung over her shoulder. She didn't call Marcus. She didn't text. Her stomach was a knot of conflicting thoughts, the outdated photo and Isabella's subtle smile replaying in her mind.
The streets outside were cool and quiet, and Mia walked briskly, trying to focus on anything other than the uneasy feeling building inside her. Her hand trembled slightly as she fumbled with her keys when she reached her apartment.
Inside, she sank onto the edge of her bed, phone in hand. She stared at the photo again. It's just old, she told herself. It's nothing.
But doubt has a way of whispering louder than reason.
Somewhere miles away, Marcus sat in his car, scanning the city streets for a glimpse of Mia before heading home. When he tried calling her, there was no answer. His brow furrowed.
He knew Mia didn't usually leave without letting him know. And though he trusted her, the thought of her worrying—because of him, because of Isabella—made his chest tighten.
He typed a quick message:
Marcus:Mia, hope you got home safe. Call me when you can.
Meanwhile, in her office, Isabella leaned back in her chair, her fingers steepled, a small, satisfied smile curling on her lips.
Patience, she thought. The seed is planted. Now we wait for it to grow.