THE FLIES

LUCY

I sat at my desk, tapping my fingers nervously. It's been three days since the bathroom incident. True to her words, Carolina never let go of any chance to torment me.

And the worst thing? I haven't been able to see Alex in the office. I can't believe Carolina is actually doing this!

Normally, if a file is needed to be signed/reviewed, anyone from the secretary's department will bring it me, and if the COO thinks it needs to be checked/ needs the CEO's sign, I'll take that file to Alex's assistant. I'm supposed to give the file to her but instead, I'll give it to Alex myself, so that I can see him.

Sometimes he will be too busy, like having a video conference or having meetings, but when he is free, we usually kiss, talk, hug and kiss some more.

But now, Carolina has made that impossible for me. I know she is the head of the secretary's department, but I never imagined that she'd actually send a person to fetch files from end to end. Sometimes, she personally takes files to Alex herself!

Like a cherry on the top, she is now appearing everywhere I go and causes problems or makes crude remarks.

I sighed. It doesn't matter, I have work to do. I need to gather new updates on a new product that was in the process of development. I went to one of the staff, to get information. "Good morning. I was wondering if you had any updates on the new product we're working on. I need to relay the information to the COO."

He glanced up from his desk, and his eyes widened. He smiled mischievously. "Oh, you are Lucy, right? trying to get the CEO's attention, huh? I've heard the rumors. Good luck with that."

Taken aback by his crude remark, I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment. I stammered, "N-no, it's not like that. I just need the updates for my work."

He chuckled, clearly enjoying his own joke. "Sure, sure. Just remember, you catch more flies with honey."

I clenched my jaw, I could feel anger surging through my body. ''Thank you for your valuable advice'' I said, giving him a tight-lipped smile before hurrying out of there.

This isn't the first time someone has said something like this to me. For the past three days, half of my conversations in the office have ended like this.

I sighed and went to meet Maria, the head of marketing. I approached her desk with a hopeful smile.

"Good morning, Maria," I greeted her with a smile. "I need your input on the marketing strategy for the new product. Could we discuss it, please?"

Maria looked up from her computer, a smirk playing on her lips. "Lucy, always trying to get ahead, aren't you? Mr. Ganovese won't be easily swayed, you know."

My heart sank further as I struggled to maintain my composure, reminding myself that I had a job to do. "Maria, please, this is important. Can we focus on the task at hand?"

She shrugged nonchalantly. "If you say so, don't say I didn't warn you."

I shook my head in disbelief and left from there. What is this? A war against me? It wasn't even past 11 and I'm already done with today.

I miss Alex. Even though he came down to see me, we were merely able to exchange glances. After giving replies to pending emails, I got a call from Rocco, asking me to get an update from the production team.

As I was making my way to Marco, the production head, to get updates, I saw Carolina was also going in the same direction.

I hesitated for a moment, knowing she was also on the way to speak to him. I took a deep breath and moved faster, hoping to catch him before she could.

"Marco, I was wondering if we could discuss the delay in the production timeline," I began, my voice trembling slightly.

Before he could respond, Carolina barged in, a smirk playing on her lips. "Oh, Lucy, trying to get Marco's attention too? I thought you knew that he was married. Oh wait! Maybe you know and don't care?" she sneered.

Marco looked uncomfortable, he muttered something about being busy and hurriedly walked away, leaving me alone with her. I felt my nose itch, as my eyes welled up in tears. But I didn't want to give her satisfaction, so I turned my face, pinched my nose and blinked a few times before facing her.

''I suggest you stop whatever this is. I don't want any problems, Carolina. There are already enough rumors as it is.''

She scoffed and crossed her arms. ''You bought this for yourself. Didn't I tell you that Alessandro is mine? Even after I warned, you are still looking at him like you want him! I saw all your smiles before too, Lucy. I saw you come to my department and get files, even though that wasn't your work to do. I saw you stealing glances at him with those love-stuck eyes whenever he passes you. Don't even think for a second that I didn't notice anything.''

I looked at her in total disbelief. She is obsessed with him. A smirk formed on my lips as I closed the distance between us. She frowned, looking confused when I tiptoed to whisper in her ear. ''It's too late Carolina. He is already mine.''

Her eyes widened and she trembled back slightly. I smiled sweetly and continued. ''It's a lost cause and you don't want to get on my bad side. If I wanted, I could shut everyone's mouth with a single sentence.''

She chuckled and shook her head in disbelief. ''You are lying. You- you are just bluffing! I would never believe you.'' She stammered and went away.

I huffed. This woman is insane. I have to do something before everything becomes crazy. I looked at my watch and it was almost lunch time. My stomach growled, indicating me to throw something in it.

I saw Nat as soon as I entered the cafeteria. She was on her phone and glanced up when I sat in front of her. Her eyes softened when she saw my face. ''Still having a rough time?''

I nodded. ''I'm confused. I don't know what's the right thing to do.''

Nat sighed and held my hand. ''It's okay. Everyone will shut their mouths once they know you are in a relationship with him.''

I shook my head. ''Or they will think I really seduced him and it will be like I'm confirming the rumors.''

I may have said things to Carolina, but I said those without thinking. Now that the adrenaline wore off, I'm starting to think that I made a mistake.

Nat looked at me angrily and snapped. ''Bullshit! People are going to talk either way. They don't care if you really like him or you seduced him. They only care about tormenting each other. What are you going to do anyway? Take that secret to your grave? Don't you want to see him freely? Or were you planning to take files to his office forever?''

My eyes widened at her outburst. She has a point. But I guess I'm still thinking that my relationship with Alex is a fluke and afraid to make it public.

I smiled to myself and looked at Nat. ''Thanks, I kind of needed that.''

She smirked. ''I know babe''.

We shared a knowing look and ate our lunch. After talking to Nat, I felt confident. With the new-found energy, I entered the elevator. I looked at the person in the elevator, smiled and looked away, before snapping my head back. What is she doing here?

I looked at her curiously. It's Elvira D'Oro, she is the model I selected for the lipstick advertisement and spoiled the lunch date she planned with Alex, by joining them.

I saw the 50th floor button was on, when I pressed the 27th floor. Is she having a meeting with Alex? But she dressed like she was going on a date. I tried not think too much about it as she was a model and stepped out when the elevator doors opened.

As I sat at my desk, I took a deep breath. I try not to think too much, but then I remembered that it's still lunch time. Alex may have lunch meetings, but they usually start when the break starts too and there are barely 10 minutes left for the break to finish.

Am I thinking too much? Maybe I am. I guess I lost my mind after being treated awfully by my co-workers for the past few days. So, I did what my sane self would never do. I decided to go to Alex's office.

As I stepped out when the elevator doors opened, Beatrice, Alex's assistant, saw me and smirked. ''Back again? Never going to give up, huh?''

I didn't even bother to glance at her as I flipped her off and made my way towards the office.

I stood near the door and took a deep breath. I opened the door and the scene unfolding in front of me knocked the air straight out of my lungs.

It all felt like a slow motion as Elvira placed her hands on Alex's chest and tiptoed to kiss him.