The Office Affair

Chapter 11: The Secret is Out

I finished my meal and went out as soon as possible. I don't want anyone to see me hanging out with the boss in his office. When I went back to my desk, the gang was already there with my sandwich.

"Where were you? You skipped lunch so you must be hungry right now." Nicole said, handing me my sandwich.

"I just went out for a while and got some fresh air." I lied. 

I haven't really thought about my situation with Stijn and how my coworkers will react once they find out that I know him. I guess I will be lying to them from now on huh? Why do I get the feeling that this will blow up in my face. 

Maybe I should just tell them and get it over with? It is better if they find out about it from me so that I can at least control what they know and they don't know. I will just have to find the perfect moment to tell them.

While I was in my usual train of thoughts, John asked "so how is your first day dealing with clients? I hope you didn't fuck it up."

"Oh no. It went really well and I have another call later about our financial reports. And later this week, I hope I can close the deal." 

I don't know where he is getting at but I made sure that I made it clear to them that I am competent and that they want me in their team.

That afternoon, we were all busy. I am checking all the reports and I am studying it making sure that all the details are there for the clients. If there is one thing I learned from college, it is that you have to double check everything and do a lot of research so that there isn't anything that is missing in my reports.

Time flies so fast when you are busy that I didn't even notice that it is five in the afternoon already. I looked at my back and Joana was already at her desk. Joana huddled us up and she relayed the details of the meeting that they had with the boss.

After giving us the details and additional tasks for tomorrow, I didn't expect her to ask me this question.

"So Colton, you didn't tell us that our boss is your classmate back in college."

That caught me off guard. What the fuck has Stijn been telling them? I hope he didn't mention anything about the nature of our relationship because I would seriously cut his balls off if he did.

"Uhmmm... yeah, we kinda knew each other. We weren't close though and I didn't even know that his uncle owns a company. I was totally surprised when I saw him." 

I hope they didn't catch that I am trying to hide something because my best friends say that I am a lousy liar.

"Why didn't you tell us that you know him though?" John asked, being suspicious of my answer.

"Well...we weren't really friends and we aren't even acquaintances. I just saw him in the hallways and had a few classes with him really." 

Oh we are more than acquaintances but they don't have to know that. I don't want them thinking that I am gaining any advantages by knowing him. However, isn't that what I am actually getting by meeting him tomorrow? I hate myself.

"Really? It sure didn't look that way by how Stijn mentioned you to us. It seemed like you were at least friends." Joana seemed to hint at something.

I already lied to them so there is no point to adding more lies to it. "I don't know about it. Stijn was just a friendly guy back then so he probably thought of everyone as his friends."

 Then I tried to check my phone to defuse the situation. "By the way you guys, I am going ahead for my class. Wish me luck." I wanted to get away from them immediately or they might sense that I am hiding something.