Mission Love - Chasing Mr. Right ✓

Twenty-Eight

Recap: Ryan called me to meet him in his office?!

At Ryan's mysterious request, I moved with the precision of a pro champion—dodging corners with purpose, as if the very act of being seen in this building might ignite a scandal.
Why? Because I didn’t want to answer questions. Or face anyone. Or deal with the drama that seemed to follow me like a particularly persistent storm cloud.

Naturally, life had other plans.

I crashed straight into something—or rather, someone.

A sharp hiss pierced the air, followed by an equally sharp groan.

Great! My luck. It can't possibly be any other person?

I snapped my head toward the source of the noise, dread pooling in my stomach.

It's Serena. Of course.

She adjusted her glasses, glaring at me with a look that could slice through glass.

"Watch where you’re going," she snapped, her voice as biting as ever.

"Sorry," I muttered, rubbing my forehead. My tone was meant to sound apologetic, but even I could tell it came out more annoyed than anything else. I took a step back, desperate to avoid further interaction. "I didn’t see you."

Her lips curled into a smirk, slow and deliberate, like she was savoring the moment. "Seems to be a habit for you lately."

Oh, for the love of all things holy.

I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from responding.
Typical Serena. Always finding a way to dig her claws in. I tried to step around her, but she shifted just enough to block my path.

"You’ve been… off," she said, her tone syrupy sweet but laced with something sharper. "Stumbling around like someone with something to hide. Or maybe someone trying to forget?"

The words hit like a punch to the gut. My pulse quickened, but I forced myself to stay calm. "I’m fine,"

Please don’t ask me more questions. Please don’t.

She hummed, her disbelief practically dripping from the sound.
"I guess some people are just better at pretending things don’t bother them."

The air suddenly felt heavier. I clenched my fists, willing myself not to react, but my breath hitched anyway. Dammit.

"What are you talking about?" I said, forcing a tight smile.

Her gaze locked onto mine, sharp and unrelenting, as if she were dissecting me piece by piece.

"Oh, please," she said, her tone turning mocking.
"Did you forget about him this fast? You used to like him."
She tilted her head, feigning innocence.
"Naveen? Does the name ring a bell"

My throat went dry. No, she did not just say that.

"Why does it concern you?" I shot back, my voice sharper than I intended.

"Nothing," she said with a shrug, her smirk deepening. "Just… interesting how quickly he got thrown under the bus. And how quiet you’ve been about it."

Her gaze swept over me, slow and deliberate.

"He—" I started, but the bitterness clawed at my throat, making it impossible to finish.

She snickered, low and humorless, a sound that sent chills down my spine. "Perhaps you found something interesting. Or someone."

My heart skipped a beat. "What?"