Once Upon a Cheesecake

🍽 VI: Cheesecakes out of the Box 🍮

It was not surprising to find people who would want to pull us down.

That thing was too common among people. Maybe it was out of greed. Unhealthy competition? Insecurity? Or just plain cruelty?

An evil craving to see other people crumble from their pedestal.

Crab mentality.

This was nothing special in the corporate world.

There was a lot of politics involved in the hierarchy. Connections between leaders or even as absurd as bribery.

Sometimes, it sounded fictional, just like what authors write in novels, but things like people plotting against each other truly happen in real life.

Being a favored young manager in the powerful Lee Group of Companies was not an easy place to defend. I came a long way to get here.

I fought hard to raise myself from the starting line to where I stood now. I used my skills and never borrowed strength from my connections.

Sadly, my moment of lapses last night might have jeopardized my hard work and crystal clear reputation.

Why did I mess up?

"Ash," Cara pulled me to the powder room. "Some strange rumors are circulating in the company."

I know.

I expected this much already.

The moment I arrived at the lobby, the guards looked a little awkward in greeting me back. Even the snarky old receptionist was surprisingly extra cautious when she received my car key for the valet.

I knew something was up. And that something potentially had a lot to do with Ashton and whatever story they made about us the other night.

I was thinking they would say I had an affair with him.

Maybe I shouldn't have relaxed in the lounge with him.

"Whatever that was," I chuckled spitefully. "There's nothing between him and me."

Cara gave me a pitying look. "Are you okay, Ash?"

"Yeah, Ashton and I are just friends. I'll just ask him to clear this up soon." I assured her but she gave a puzzled look as soon as I mentioned Ashton.

"Ashton? You meant CEO Lee?" She sounded surprised. "But I was talking about Wesley. And well, Kate."

"Wesley and Kate?" I repeated, checking if I heard her right.

"Yeah," she clenched her fists. "Those animals. They even had the nerve to come in together for work."

Ah. So that's what this was all about.

I smirked and disdain conquered my face. So they finally decided to reveal their 'friendship' for everyone to see.

Good for them. Now, it was finally out of the box. The reason why my 'relationship goals' love story ended.

Too bad for Wesley fanatics the whole story of him cheating on me would ruin every imaginary prince-like aura he had.

Hearts would surely break.

"I stopped caring about it, Cara. We are living separate lives now," I said as I began heading back to my work space.

I should focus on my career from here forward. No more playing around.

Cara grabbed me by the arm. "There are rumors that Kate is two months pregnant."

~~~~~~

About two months ago. . .