Guon - T1 Empire: Mischievous Games

Chapter 39

As the imposing glass doors of the company slid open to reveal Oner and Gumayusi, whispers immediately spread like wildfire. Employees paused their work, covertly glancing at the duo from behind monitors and over cubicle walls. While the CEO always commanded attention wherever he went, today was different. The murmurs were not just about Gumayusi but also about the secretary walking beside him.

Oner felt a weight pressing down on him with every step he took. Each whisper, every sidelong glance, and every pointed stare seemed to converge on him, making him feel like a specimen under a microscope. He pulled the collar of Gumayusi's shirt he was wearing closer around his neck, wishing he could somehow disappear. The speculative looks, the raised eyebrows, and the not-so-subtle nudges between colleagues only deepened his unease.

Gumayusi, on the other hand, seemed to be in high spirits. Oblivious to the buzz they were causing, he walked with a spring in his step, buoyed by the warmth of the morning they had shared. But amidst the soft hum of keyboards and the muted sounds of phones ringing, he missed the subtle signs of Oner's distress.

Later, as the morning wore on, Oner felt the pressing need to escape-even if just for a few minutes. He quietly slipped out of his workspace to head towards the restroom. The chill of the restroom tiles under his shoes, the subdued lighting, and the distant hum of the central air conditioning system provided a brief respite.

But as he was about to exit, three staff members cornered him, blocking his way with smug expressions on their faces.

"Oner," one of them sneered, "Climbing the corporate ladder using the CEO's bed, are we?"

"Yeah," another chimed in, smirking, "Guess being a secretary isn't the only thing you're good at."

Oner felt the heat rise to his cheeks, his heart hammering in his chest. He didn't want any trouble or confrontation, but he also didn't want to be humiliated. "Stay out of things you don't understand," he managed to say, though his voice trembled.

Before the situation could escalate further, an icy voice cut through the tension. "What is going on here?"

It was Gumayusi. His face was thunderous, and his presence seemed to fill the entire space. He fixed a piercing gaze on the trio, his fury palpable.

"Cornering someone in a restroom? That's the level of professionalism we've stooped to?"

The three staff members blanched, stammering apologies. They quickly scurried away, not daring to meet Gumayusi's eye.

Gumayusi's gaze softened when he turned to Oner. Without a word, he stepped forward and pulled Oner into a comforting embrace.

Oner's heart raced. He panicked, thinking of how this might fuel more rumors. He gently but firmly pushed Gumayusi away. "I was handling it," he said, trying to keep his voice steady, "I don't need to be rescued."

Gumayusi stared at Oner, a myriad of emotions swirling in his eyes. The weight of the morning's events hung heavy between them.