It started with a single post.
Just one anonymous blog post titled: "The CEO's Secret Flame?"
By 9 AM, it had already gone viral within EC Games.
The blog didn't name names. It didn't have photos. Just vague lines like:
> "The CEO of a rising tech company has been spotted frequently near one employee's desk… is it just business? Or something more?"
> "Sources say his mood has drastically improved. Must be the power of love."
By 9:15 AM, whispers were swirling like a storm.
By 9:30 AM, Rhea was knocking on Ethan's door with a look of pure dread. "Sir… have you seen—?"
"I have." Ethan didn't even look up from his laptop.
"Should we… release a statement?"
"No." He typed something fast. "They have nothing. Let them talk."
But even as he said that, something nagged at him. The article was vague, yes—but too accurate to be coincidence.
Someone inside the company was watching.
---
Meanwhile, Elena walked in, completely unaware.
She stepped out of the elevator, holding her usual coffee and smiling to herself, only to feel a hundred eyes dart her way.
Some employees quickly looked away. Others didn't bother hiding their smirks. A few gave her a knowing look—like she was the plot twist of their favorite drama.
"What…" she muttered. "Did I wear mismatched shoes again?"
Before she could even reach her desk, her teammate Maya leaned over and whispered, "You might want to stay off the internet today."
Elena raised a brow. "Why?"
"You've become the main character."
---
In the cafeteria, things got even worse.
"Do you think it's true?"
"He visits her desk so often. Come on."
"She's lucky! I wouldn't mind being the CEO's personal project…"
Elena felt like she was walking through a spotlight she never asked for. She kept her head down until a hand reached out and pulled her aside—right into the supply closet.
"Elena?" It was Ethan.
She blinked. "Are we seriously hiding in here?"
"Apparently, yes. We're now the leads in a workplace soap opera." He sounded half amused, half annoyed.
She sighed. "So people really think we're… you know?"
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Fake married?"
She smacked his arm. "I meant—in love."
His smile faded slightly. "Would that be so bad?"
Her heart did a tiny flip. But she shoved it back down. "I mean… we'd lose all the mystery."
He chuckled, and in that tiny room, with coffee machines humming outside and rumors echoing in the halls, their eyes locked.
"I'll find out who's behind this," Ethan said seriously. "But until then… just ignore them."
"You ignore them," Elena mumbled. "They stare at me like I just hacked into your heart."
He leaned closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "Maybe you did."
Her eyes widened.
And just when the moment started to warm up—BANG! The door flung open.
It was Rhea. "Oh my god—I KNEW IT!"
"Nothing happened!" Elena yelped, practically jumping back.
Ethan sighed. "Of all the people to catch us, why you?"
Rhea just grinned. "This is going to be so good for my fanfic."