Selena's voice held an enticing tone that left Tara stunned for a few seconds. Then, realizing what was happening, she withdrew her slightly trembling hand from Selena's waist and placed it over her own heart.
Selena had a boyfriend, after all. She was probably just teasing, thinking of Tara as a friend. "You're in great shape, boss," Tara said, her tone as formal as ever.
Selena's eyes lingered on her for a few moments, and though Tara's response was complimentary, it seemed to bring her little satisfaction. With a slight frown, she released Tara. "It's getting late. Get some rest. You didn't sleep well last night, so try to get a good night's sleep tonight."
Noticing the subtle shift in Selena's mood, Tara recalled the desperate male voice she'd overheard on the phone. Perhaps the two of them hadn't resolved things. Maybe her response had unintentionally reopened a fresh wound, so she offered gently, "Boss, don't let relationships hold you back. You deserve someone who values you."
Selena's dark eyes bore into her, harboring a depth that was impossible to decipher. After a pause, her crimson lips curved into a faint, bittersweet smile. "No, that's not possible. I only want this one."
Her voice was soft but unyielding, with a determination that Tara couldn't ignore. For a moment, she wondered what kind of person could hold such a grip on someone like Selena. And though she'd never even met him, Tara felt an instant resentment toward this boyfriend. What kind of guy didn't cherish someone like Selena? Total jerk!
Not knowing what else to say, Tara simply nodded. "Goodnight, boss."
"Goodnight." Selena's gaze softened, her eyes sparkling like a sky filled with stars, though beneath it lay a warmth as tender as moonlight. As she watched Tara head back to her room, she whispered, "Goodnight, silly."
The next morning, Selena had already left by the time Tara got up.
Rubbing her eyes as she shuffled out of her room, Tara immediately noticed the bright sunlight spilling over the living room. On the coffee table sat a plate with breakfast: two slices of freshly toasted bread, their golden-brown crusts still warm, with a fried egg and tomato nestled between. Next to the plate was a glass of milk, steam curling from its surface.
Tara's stomach growled at the sight. After brushing her teeth, she glanced at herself in the mirror, surprised to see a small smile on her face.
Skipping her usual skincare routine, she spent a few extra minutes trying to recreate the hairstyle Selena had tied for her earlier. After a couple of failed attempts, she managed to get it close, letting a few loose strands fall to frame her face. The style softened her look, making her seem almost sweet.
As the delicious smell of breakfast tickled her senses, she hurried over to the table, only then noticing a small note next to the plate. The handwriting was elegant yet bold, a blend of style and confidence: Remember to eat breakfast. It was signed with a playful smiley face.
Looking at the smiley, Tara couldn't help but chuckle. Before moving in with Selena, she'd thought her cold and aloof. But over the past few days, she'd begun to see a different side to her—a kindness and warmth that somehow balanced her refined, enigmatic exterior, forming a complex, real version of Selena.
Tara's office was on the tenth floor, and as she stepped off the elevator, she noticed a crowd gathering at the glass doors, loud voices echoing through the hall. She frowned in curiosity—what kind of drama was happening this early?
Struggling to push through the crowd, Mara, her arms piled with files, spotted Tara and gave her a once-over, her expression a mixture of animosity and amusement. Tara's smile held, though her eyes turned cold. "Good morning, Mara."
Mara ignored her greeting, instead saying, "Jasmine and Manager Selena are arguing. Aren't you going to jump in and support your friend?"
Jasmine was the department manager, and though she and Selena had had their differences, they'd kept things civil. But from the sounds of it, Jasmine was openly targeting Selena. Knowing Mara was likely baiting her, Tara hesitated, knowing she might just end up a scapegoat. Still, she pushed her way to the front of the crowd.
Two department heads arguing didn't usually warrant a public spectacle, which meant this was intentional.
Seeing her approach, Jasmine turned her anger toward Tara, grabbing her by the collar. Her voice was sharp, furious. "Tara, in all these days of your internship, have I ever treated you unfairly? I haven't held you responsible for this low sales performance, have I? I pitied you as an intern, not strong enough for that kind of blame. And what do I get in return? You betray me for Selena?!"
Tara met Jasmine's glare with a calm, steady gaze, unphased by her accusations. "Jasmine, I have not betrayed you."
"Not betrayed me?" Jasmine scoffed in disbelief. "Then what about Mara and the others seeing you get into Selena's car? You even claimed you were meeting with me for business! Why wasn't I told about this?"
Selena stepped forward, her tone icy. "I asked her to come with me yesterday. She was just helping me print a few documents. Do you really believe every word Mara and her friends tell you?"
Selena scanned the room, addressing the crowd. "What's going on here? Are you all finished with your projects? Nothing left to work on?"
Her voice was sharp, her usual authority seeping into each word. Instantly, the spectators dispersed, heading back to their desks.
Selena hadn't interfered initially since it hadn't involved Tara, but she had wanted to see how far Jasmine would go. But now that Tara had shown up, she wasn't about to let anyone turn her into a target of ridicule.
Moreover, Jasmine had just shoved Tara, and that wasn't something Selena could overlook. Her eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint in them. Tara belonged on her team, and if she had to, Selena was ready to claim her from Jasmine.