One Night Stand With Alexander Blackwood-Chapter 15 — Fifteen

Serena’s POV

"Never thought you’d move on from Ethan that fast. Guess you didn’t love him as much as you claimed to."

Crazy, wasn’t it? Jessica had the nerve to stand in front of me and accuse me. A low chuckle slipped out. Of all people in this office, she belonged at the bottom of the list of those allowed to speak.

Our gazes collided—tension cracking like electricity.

Every head turned, hungry for drama. Everyone already knew Jessica and I were oil and fire. We never got along.

With a calm breath, I rose to my feet. Thanks to the heels on my feet, towering over her came naturally.

"Ethan cheated on me... with you," the words flowed steadily, my voice unshaken. "You’re the last person who should criticise anyone."

Whispers rippled across the office.

"So Ethan was cheating."

"Knew Jessica was a snake."

"Ethan couldn’t keep it in his pants."

Jessica’s smile faltered. A slow smile touched my lips. Did she really think she stood a chance?

"That doesn’t mean you get to climb into the boss’s bed. Tell me, are you sleeping with him? Moving on with someone richer, huh?"

Of course she wouldn’t stop. And yes—part of what she said was true—but that wasn’t the point.

"My life has nothing to do with you. Oh—wait—are you jealous? Jealous that Alexander chose me over you?"

If she wanted to assume, fine. She could choke on it.

Gasps erupted. They didn’t expect that... especially not from someone like me.

Her expression cracked. It was a direct hit.

"Please. Boys always chose me over you. Ethan is proof." She leaned close, her hot breath fanning against my ears. "Watch me take Alexander from you. I always take what you like. Isn’t that how I took your daddy?"

My fists instantly curled by my sides.

She knew exactly where to strike. The one wound which was never spoken aloud.

Mom died early. Dad remarried. Jessica arrived with her mother.

And from that moment... his love for me vanished.

Hot tears threatened to slip from my eyes. My breathing turned heavy but I would not give her the impression that her words hurt me.

"Alright, that’s enough. Jessica, you’ve done enough."

A familiar voice shot through the office. Maya. The only one who would stand up for me. Relief flooded my chest.

Jessica scoffed as she watched Maya approach and stood behind me. "Of course, the lackey shows up to protect her boss."

"At least, I don’t go around stealing people’s men. I’m fine being a lackey." Maya shot back instantly, and a laugh threatened to escape.

"Now—" her gaze swept around. "If any of you have issues with Serena coming out of the boss’s car, why don’t you take it up with him?"

Her gaze was piercing and it looked like she was ready to fight.

"Maya."

"Don’t you all have jobs to do? Focus on your jobs," Maya snapped, and the crowd scattered instantly.

Jessica snorted one last time before sauntering off.

As soon as the noise settled, Maya pulled out a chair beside mine and sank into it. Her arms crossed in full interrogation mode.

"I called you several times last night. Why weren’t you picking up?"

A breath left me. There was no point hiding or coating the truth.

"Someone tried to rape me. Alexander stopped him... and I ended up staying at his place. I didn’t have my phone."

Maya froze. Her mouth fell open a little.

"You slept at his place?"

Heads immediately turned toward us. Of course. I shot Maya a glare.

She cleared her throat loudly. "Mind your business!"

The office pretended to obey, though the air still vibrated with them stealing glances at us every few seconds.

Leaning closer, Maya lowered her voice. "Serena... what exactly happened?"

A groan escaped before I could stop it.

"Alexander is stubborn. I asked him to drop me at your house but he refused. I didn’t even want to come to work with him today. He insisted..."

The rest of the sentence dissolved as my back met the chair.

Maya’s eyes narrowed. "Did something... happen between you two?"

"What? No!"

The answer rolled out too fast. Too defensive. Heat crawled up my neck.

"Why would you even think that? One time was enough. I’m not letting anything else happen between us."

The lie—or the fear—sat bitter on my tongue. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Maya didn’t blink. "I doubt that."

My jaw dropped.

She didn’t trust me? Or... she simply knew me too well?

Before Maya could utter another word, footsteps echoed from the hallway. A few seconds later, a very familiar voice sounded at the entrance of the office door.

"Serena. My office now."

Alexander. My body tensed instantly. All heads turned to me. Jessica’s lips curved into a smirk from where she was.

Why did he need me in his office?

Maya held my hands, and I nodded at her.

"Stay lightheaded." She advised.

Taking a deep breath, I was about to walk out of the office when Jessica stepped directly into my path, her perfume thick and suffocating, her smile razor-sharp.

"Summoned already?" she whispered, her voice dripping with mockery. "How perfectly expected. Alexander Blackwood doesn’t keep liabilities... he eliminates them. Just like your father did."

Her fingers brushed my arm in a slow, taunting manner.

"But don’t worry," she continued, leaning closer, her breath warm against my ear. "When he’s done using you... when he gets bored — and he will — I’ll be right there to take your place."

A cruel smirk curled her lips.

"Just like always."