Chapter 365

The office buzzed with the usual energy as I settled into my chair, preparing to make a call to one of the interns I had chosen to assist with a new project. The recent successful resolution of the challenging murder case, thanks to Timothy's tireless efforts, had garnered warm congratulations from my coworkers, their voices ringing out with genuine admiration and appreciation.

As I dialed the number, I couldn't help but feel a swell of pride for Timothy and his accomplishments. He had worked tirelessly to bring justice to those who had been wronged, his dedication and perseverance an inspiration to us all.

"Hello, this is Evie speaking," I greeted the intern on the other end of the line, my voice filled with warmth and professionalism.

"Hi, Evie! It's great to hear from you," came the enthusiastic reply. "I'm really excited to work with you on this project. I've heard amazing things about your leadership skills."

I couldn't help but smile at the intern's enthusiasm, feeling a sense of satisfaction knowing that I had chosen someone who was eager to learn and grow. "Thank you," I replied, my voice tinged with genuine appreciation. "I'm looking forward to working with you as well. Now, let's discuss the details of the project..."

As the conversation progressed, I found myself immersed in the task at hand, my thoughts focused solely on the project and the intern's responsibilities. But as the discussion naturally veered towards more personal matters, I felt a faint blush creep into my cheeks, a bashful tint that I couldn't quite shake.

"So, Evie," one of my coworkers chimed in, their voice filled with curiosity. "When are you and Timothy going to tie the knot? We're all dying to know!"

The question caught me off guard, and I stumbled over my words for a moment before regaining my composure. "Oh, um... Well, we haven't really discussed it yet," I replied, my voice trailing off uncertainly.

But the chatter didn't stop there. Soon, the conversation was filled with inquiries about my relationship with Timothy, each question probing deeper into the intricacies of our personal lives. And just when I thought the questions couldn't get any more intrusive, Sarah, one of my coworkers, inadvertently revealed something that sent my mind into a whirlwind of confusion.

"Oh, by the way, Evie, did you know that Timothy stopped by the office just the other day?" Sarah asked casually, her tone innocent enough.

My heart skipped a beat at the revelation, my mind racing with a thousand questions. Timothy's unannounced visit to the office was unexpected, to say the least, and I couldn't help but wonder about the significance of his presence.

"Uh... No, I didn't know that," I replied, my voice betraying the unease I felt. "Did he say why he was here?"

Sarah shrugged, seemingly oblivious to the turmoil her words had stirred within me. "Not really. He just stopped by to say hi to a few people and then left. It was nice to see him, though."

I lifted an eyebrow. “Just to say ‘hi’? While knowing I wasn’t here?"

Sarah hesitated for a moment, exchanging a quick glance with the other coworkers nearby. "Oh, he was here to check on you as well," she replied with a forced smile. "Make sure everything was going okay."

I frowned, my suspicions growing with each passing moment. "But why would he need to come here to check on me? He could have just called or texted. Also, he knows my work hours."

Meghan chimed in, her voice eager. "Maybe he just wanted to make sure? You know he adores you and will try to see you whenever he can!"

But their explanations did little to ease my growing unease, and the more I pressed for answers, the more evasive my coworkers became.

"I guess," I said, my voice tinged with frustration. "Still doesn’t add up.”

The air grew tense as my coworkers exchanged nervous glances, their silence speaking volumes. It was clear that they were hiding something, but what it was remained a mystery.

"Look, Evie, maybe you're reading too much into this," Sarah said. "It was just a harmless visit.”

"Alright, Sarah. You’ve made your point," I said, attempting to mask my annoyance. "But I think I'll have to have a chat with Timothy myself after work."

As the conversation moved on to other topics, I found myself lost in thought, my mind consumed by the implications of Timothy's visit. Why had he come to the office unannounced? And why hadn't he told me about it?

The office hummed with activity as the day wore on, filled with the steady rhythm of typing keyboards and ringing phones. As I sat at my desk, lost in thought, I was interrupted by the arrival of Bella, the intern I had chosen to assist with the new project.

"Hi, Evie," Bella greeted me with a warm smile, her eyes bright with gratitude. "I just wanted to thank you again for giving me this opportunity. I'm really excited to work with you and learn as much as I can."

I returned her smile, feeling a swell of pride at her enthusiasm. "You're welcome, Bella. I have a feeling you're going to do great things here," I replied, my voice filled with genuine encouragement. "You remind me a bit of myself when I first started out. I'm sure we'll see a lot of growth from you."

Bella's eyes lit up at the comparison, her expression one of eager determination. "Thank you, Evie. That means a lot coming from you."

As Bella settled in at her workstation, I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt gnawing at me from within. While I was genuinely excited to see Bella grow and succeed, my mind was still preoccupied with thoughts of Timothy's unexpected visit to the office and the unspoken tensions it had stirred among my coworkers.

I took a moment to observe Bella as she got herself organized, noting the determined look in her eyes and the way she meticulously arranged her workspace. There was a sense of drive and ambition about her that reminded me of myself when I was starting out in my career. I couldn't help but feel a sense of kinship with her, a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.

"Hey, Bella," I said, leaning in slightly to catch her attention. "I just wanted to say that I see a lot of potential in you. Your enthusiasm and dedication are exactly what we need on this project, and I have no doubt that you're going to make a real impact here."

Bella's smile widened at my words, a blush creeping into her cheeks. "Thank you, Evie. That really means a lot to me."

I nodded, feeling a sense of satisfaction wash over me. "You're welcome, Bella. Just remember to stay focused and keep pushing yourself. I have a feeling you're going to surprise us all with what you're capable of."

As Bella returned to her work, I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride for the young woman sitting across from me. She reminded me so much of myself starting out, eager to prove herself and make a difference in the world.

As I worked alongside Bella, guiding her through the intricacies of the project, my thoughts drifted back to Timothy and the unanswered questions that lingered between us. Why had he shown up at the firm without telling me? And why were my coworkers so secretive about it?

The more I thought about it, the more my unease grew, festering like a wound that refused to heal.

"Is everything okay, Evie?" Bella's voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present.

I forced a smile, hoping to dispel any lingering concerns she might have. "Yes, everything's fine. Just lost in thought for a moment there."

My mind buzzed with questions and doubts, each one vying for my attention. It could’ve been something small. Maybe I was out of the office when he came looking for me? This didn’t have to be a bad thing.

Of course, my fears triumphed over any rationality.