The days following their conversation at the café were tense but manageable. Alison did her best to keep a low profile, but she couldn't help noticing Henry's lingering gaze whenever they crossed paths in the office. She wanted to believe he was trying to see the good in her, trying to see her sincerity, but doubt gnawed at her. She knew Henry was still conflicted, still wrestling with his feelings.
Henry, on the other hand, felt like a man trapped in quicksand. Every time he convinced himself he could trust Alison again, doubts crept back in, pulling him deeper into uncertainty. He had always prided himself on his ability to read people, to see through the facade of sycophants and opportunists. But Alison? She had slipped through his defenses effortlessly, and he still couldn't quite understand how. He was determined to get to the bottom of it.
One evening, long after most of the office had cleared out, Henry sat in his private office, staring at his computer screen. He had decided to run a thorough background check on Alison. He had already done a preliminary one when she first joined the company, but this time, he was digging deeper, looking for anything he might have missed.
His fingers flew across the keyboard as he typed her name into the search fields of several different databases, including ones not easily accessible to the public. He scanned through the results, his frown deepening with every line he read. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary—her education, her work history, even her social media presence all appeared perfectly normal. Almost too normal.
Henry leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. His gut told him there was more to the story than Alison had revealed. And if there was one thing Henry had learned over the years, it was to trust his instincts. He picked up his phone and dialed the number of his private investigator.
"Sam, it's Henry," he said when the call connected. "I need you to do a deeper dive on someone for me. Alison Greene, one of my new hires. Look into everything—her background, her contacts, her history, especially in the last few years. I want to know if there's anything I missed."
Sam, who had worked with Henry for years and knew his suspicions well, agreed without hesitation. "Consider it done, Henry. I'll have something for you in a few days."
Henry hung up the phone and sighed. He hated that it had come to this. He hated feeling suspicious and mistrustful of someone he had genuinely begun to care for. But he needed to be sure. He couldn't afford to be blindsided again.
---
Meanwhile, Alison was at home, sitting on her couch with her laptop open in front of her. She was re-reading the message from Mr. Carter that she had been ignoring for days. He was growing impatient, demanding results, and she knew she was running out of time. She had to make a choice.
She felt trapped between two worlds—one where she continued to play her part as the innocent employee while secretly working for Carter, and the other where she came clean completely, not just to Henry, but to herself. She was tired of living a double life, tired of the lies and deception.
Her phone buzzed again. Another message from Carter. *"You have until Friday, or we're done here. Deliver the information, or there will be consequences."*
Alison's hands shook as she read the message. She felt a cold sweat break out across her skin. She knew Carter was not bluffing. He was a powerful man with connections, and he wouldn't hesitate to make good on his threats. But the thought of betraying Henry made her feel physically ill.
With a deep breath, she closed her laptop and stood up. She couldn't keep stalling. She needed to act, to find a way out of this mess she had created.
---
The next day, Henry's investigator, Sam, called him with an update. "Henry, I've been looking into Alison's background like you asked," Sam said, his tone serious. "There are a few things that don't quite add up."
Henry's heart quickened. "What do you mean?"
"Well, her resume checks out for the most part, but there are gaps," Sam continued. "Periods where she's unaccounted for, and some inconsistencies in her story. I'm digging into it more, but I'd say she's not who she says she is. I'll need more time to get the full picture."
Henry felt a knot form in his stomach. "Keep digging," he instructed. "I need to know everything."
He hung up the phone and sat back, his mind racing. He wanted so desperately to believe Alison, to trust her again. But if Sam was right, and there were things Alison wasn't telling him, he needed to know. He couldn't let his emotions cloud his judgment. Not again.
Later that afternoon, Henry found himself standing by the large window in his office, staring out at the city below. He felt an overwhelming wave of frustration and helplessness wash over him. He hated feeling like this—doubting every decision, questioning his own instincts. He had built his empire by being decisive, by trusting his gut. But now, his gut was telling him two conflicting things at once: to trust Alison, and to uncover her secrets.
His phone rang, pulling him from his thoughts. It was his assistant, Jessica. "Henry, Alison is here to see you," she said, her voice calm and professional.
Henry hesitated for a moment, then nodded to himself. "Send her in," he replied, his voice steadier than he felt.
A few moments later, Alison entered his office, her expression a mixture of apprehension and determination. "Henry," she began softly, "I know things have been tense between us, and I just wanted to check in, see where we stand."
Henry turned to face her, his face impassive. "Where we stand?" he repeated, his tone carefully neutral. "I'm not sure, Alison. That's something I'm still figuring out."
Alison nodded, her face falling slightly. "I understand," she said quietly. "I just want you to know that I'm committed to proving myself to you, to earning back your trust."
Henry studied her closely, searching her eyes for any hint of deceit. "Are you?" he asked, his voice sharp. "Because I've been looking into your background, Alison, and there are things that don't quite add up."
Alison's heart dropped. She felt a rush of panic but quickly masked it with a calm expression. "What do you mean?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
"There are gaps in your story," Henry continued, his eyes narrowing. "Periods where you're unaccounted for. Inconsistencies in your resume. So tell me, Alison—who are you, really?"
Alison felt her hands begin to tremble. She had prepared herself for this moment, but now that it was here, she felt exposed and vulnerable. She had to think fast, to stay calm. "I told you the truth, Henry," she said softly. "I did have an agenda when I first came here, but it was all business. I swear, there's nothing else. I don't know what you think you've found, but it's not what you think."
Henry remained silent, his gaze locked on hers. The tension between them was palpable, a silent battle of wills. Finally, he spoke. "I want to believe you, Alison. I do. But I need you to be honest with me. Completely honest."
Alison felt tears prickling at her eyes. She took a deep breath, steadying herself. "I am, Henry," she whispered. "I am being honest. Please, just give me a chance to prove it to you."
Henry's expression softened, just a fraction. He nodded slowly. "Alright," he said quietly. "But know this—if I find out you're hiding anything else, if there's any more deceit, we're done. Do you understand?"
Alison nodded, her heart pounding. "I understand," she whispered. "And I promise, you won't regret giving me this chance."
Henry gave a small nod, then turned back to his desk, signaling the end of their conversation. Alison turned to leave, her mind racing. She knew she was walking on thin ice, that one wrong move could shatter everything. But she also knew that she had to find a way to make things right, to win back his trust—for good.