It's funny how time goes by, I mean–one minute, I'm giving Liam pleasure.

And the next, we're arguing.

One minute ago, after he held my chin up to look up at him, and I saw the file in his hand, he harshly got up from the chair as he stepped over me, leaving me on the floor. And from the way he walked away from me, not helping me up from the floor—I knew he was mad or upset, or even both.

I stood up as I stationed myself behind the desk, wiping my mouth as I put my hands on my hips. Waiting for him.

There Liam stood, in the middle of my office as he redo his boxer and pants, quickly fastening his belt, he then looked down at the file in his hand as he shook his head, whilst chuckling to himself.

I don't know if he's chuckling because it's funny or he's surprised by the fact that I have a file on him. I honestly can't tell.

Keeping a file on Liam was my intention in the first place, sure, but it's because I was suspicious of him in the beginning. Plus, I think he should know that many CEOs have files on every employee, for business sake anyways.

I mean–Hell, I do for everyone, even the ones that have worked here for a long time. But in his case, I guess it's different because I did have his personal file in my office, in my desk drawer.

And now thinking about it, I can see how bad it looks and how confused Liam must be right now at this very moment.

As I caught myself spacing out, I heard the flipping of papers, not the gentle, graceful flipping. It's fast and uncontrolled, like he's about to rip one of the papers at any moment.

Finally looking up at him as I've been looking at the floor, I see him harshly closing the folder as he stares at me in disbelief, looking at me like he's waiting for me to say anything.

Putting my hands down, and continuing staring back at him, I didn't know what to say. I know what he wants me to say, but I feel like I can't say it without making it look even worse for myself and the whole situation.

And by situation, I mean the thing that was happening a few minutes ago.

The silence continued longer than expected and I knew that I needed to break the silence, but as I opened my mouth, Chopard raised an eyebrow.

I found myself coming up with nothing, nothing in my head. Like all the thoughts from before just disappeared. Like my ability to think fast and act quickly was just thrown out the window–Which is rare.

So I say the only thing, and with that, the worst thing to say, "What?" I questioned. And in that moment, I wanted to smack myself across the mouth for even asking that.

Chopard looks even more puzzled as he sighs out of disbelief, probably even going to the length of why I would ask something like that.

I would too. But considering the circumstances of everything that's happening, I have to keep it together.

"What?" He repeated out loud as if talking to himself, he then faced me head on as he held up the file in his hand, he then said, "What do you mean, 'What'?" He questions, clearly wanting me to say more.

And as I was about to say something, Liam proceeds to do that instead, "I mean, this is crazy Hailey–" He says as he pulls out random pages from the folders, making the file look like a bundle mess, he continues, "I mean–What–" He strutters as he tries to find the correct words.

Well, it didn't take long before he exploded, "What is this? Why is this in your desk?!" He laughs out loud, like he can't believe that I would have something like this, "I want answers, now"

Of course you do Chopard, I thought in my head, trying to think about the next thing I'm about to say, and I know I can't say that, 'Well, I kept a file on you because I was suspicion of you, and I thought you were no good back then and now, people are accusing you of tampering with the company's files'.

I know I can't say that, that would create an even bigger situation than it needs to be.

And still dealing with trying to figure out who messed with the launch's file, I cannot possibly be dealing with this right now.

As I continued to think, Liam's voice harshly pulled me out of my thoughts.

"Hailey! I want answers!" Chopard loudly says, almost coming to a yell.

I narrowed my eyes at him as I didn't care who was listening from outside those doors, all I know is that I don't have time for this. And plus, my ego won't allow me to be yelled at by one of my employees.

I retaliate as I cross my arms over my chest, continue staring at him as I stated, "You, Chopard, have no reason for demanding answers, especially in my own office" Adding, "Plus, it's none of your business"

Liam was taken aback as he immediately said, "But this folder, is my business, it has all my business, Cantrell" He started to glare at me.

"Well, looks like you have a lot of business in your life, Chopard" I said as I clapped back.

He laughs under his breath as he mumbles, he then paces back and forth, trying to calm himself down, and from the way that he's walking and shaking his head, I could tell that he is becoming more and more upset.

I sigh to myself as I thought about what I needed to do next after Chopard gets over his little tantrum, clearly he should take a walk outside if he wants to walk around my office. But the difference between us is that I have actual stuff to do.

Still holding the file in his hand, a few papers drop onto the ground as he doesn't notice it, rubbing the back of his back, he spits out, "You have a serious issue"

He says it under his breath, but just loud enough to where I can hear it.

I was taken aback, shocked that he would even say that to me. Clearly, he crossed the line and now he thinks he can say anything to me.

Wanting him to clarify what he meant, I asked, "What do you mean by that?"

Chopard stops his pacing as he looks at me, pointing his finger towards me, he's visibility getting more frustrated with me, "You never trust me, no matter how hard I tried, I put in the effort and get nothing in return"

I rolled my eyes at that, this may be tone deaf, but I couldn't help but say, "You get nothing in return, Chopard? You get a paycheck and get to keep your job. I say that's a fair deal" I said, leaning forward.

"Oh my god" He said, wiping his hand down his face, He then shrugs as he says, "So what, I mean, I practically went out of my way for you and this company, and for what? Not being trusted? Clearly with this file, you didn't trust me, you probably still don't"

I didn't say anything else as I didn't want to argue with him even further, I don't want to make him even more angry than right now, so I will choose to listen and let Chopard air out his feelings then I need to get back to work.

"I did so much to prove myself to you, the other employees, I mean–I even stay long nights for you, even when I didn't have too"

A few seconds ago, I did say that I wouldn't say anything so that I would let Chopard speak and let him cool down so that I could go back to work sooner than later.

But that, that one sentence Chopard just said, it's like it hit a bottom inside me, like it triggered me.

Forgetting about what I told myself, and before snapping, I thought to myself, does Chopard think he's the only one in the whole world that thinks that he spent past working hours in a corporate office?

I mean, I get what he's trying to say, that he sacrificed a lot of his time, but so did other people here and even the world. This industry is demanding and, I guess I'm supposed to celebrate his work?

And he's right, he didn't have to stay long nights here at the office, that was his choice, and I can't be blamed for that. This is a job he voluntarily applied for, how is he going to complain about something he wants to do?

And if he doesn't want to do this, then he can be my guest and get the hell out.

This is just like going back to our first argument here, when I made him stay longer, past working hours, clearly he still hasn't learned.

So I snapped, as soon as Chopard finished his plea, I sarcastically clapped, the claps echoing across the room, as I said, "Welcome to the corporate world, do you want a cookie for that?" Staring at him after making an absolute fool of him.

He scoffs as he shakes his head once more, asking me, "What's wrong with you?" A genuine question.

I stay firm, as I answered that question, "Chopard, this is the life of corporate, and if you don't think I trust you, then you make as well be right, because trust is earned" I continued, more calmly, "And if you don't like that, then too bad, because it doesn't matter because that's life"

He should know this by now, that trust can't be given on a golden spoon, which is clearly what his parents have been doing for all his life. And now, their son is throwing a tantrum when something is not going his way.

It's sad to see. I mean, he experienced more life than me, even if he's a few years older.

I can't believe we're even having this argument right now, especially when it's something totally normal, something that CEOs have been practicing for the longest time.

He's clearly more angered by my statement, it's like everything I said will make him more angry and angry by the second and I can't seem to say the right thing, or the correct thing.

He then makes a remark, he said something so bizarre that I can't even fandom saying to anyone, he sighs as he says, "Yeah well, I guess I trust you enough to give me pleasure"

I was stunned, so stunned that I even took a step back, looking around the room, I can't seem to face Chopard anymore, I couldn't say anything else, what could I say? Especially to that.

But before I could even think about my next words, Chopard quickly tosses the files onto the ground as the papers scatter everywhere. I watch the papers go flying all over the floor as I look up and Chopard is storming out of the office, he then proceeds to slam the door shut.

The slam echoed throughout my office, but I still stood there, shocked and unable to move.

Probably a minute later, I snapped out of the trance I was in, as I thought, And the earth keeps spinning. And with that, I returned to my desk and began typing on my laptop, I'll pick up the papers later. I don't want anyone else to see those.

I scoff as I thought that this is no big deal and I have more important things to worry about.

                                          *

As I sat on my couch, I was shaking my head as I heard what Daphne and Akako were saying to me.

After Chopard had left, I didn't think about it, all I thought was work and what I needed to do. But several hours went by, and when I didn't see Chopard for the rest of the day, I started to worry.

Not about me or my work, or course, but about the situation and how it was handled. I started to have this feeling in my gut, telling myself that I was wrong for the way I responded but I ignored it as I thought that this is the corporate life and things are not fair for everyone.

But when I was in the car, going home, that's when that gut feeling started to grow more and more, as if it was telling me that I need to fix this and fast.

As I couldn't get rid of this feeling, no matter how hard I tried, I knew I needed to do something about this, and right as soon as I got home, I called Daphne and Akako to come meet me at my house.

It was short notice, but at least they agreed, probably considering that I was sounding desperate over the phone to the both of them.

Currently as all three of us are sitting on the couch, discussing what has happened, with the argument and Chopard storming out, I knew that I needed someone's input and what better input I need than my friends–Considering that they don't do the best at lying and honestly telling me what I need to hear.

And when I said that I told them everything, everything including me giving him pleasure. But, I guess I did forget to mention about the files, I knew I needed to tell them about the subject of the argument, but then they would start asking questions about that instead, and I really don't want that to resurface.

Even though Akako said to do a background check on him, I didn't exactly tell them that I got a file folder on him, and kept it in my drawer, in my personal office.

And because they can't lie the best, they instead tell the harsh truth, it's needed, or course. But it's still hard to hear.

So as I told them almost everything, leaving out what started the argument in the first place. I expected them to agree with me, that Chopard is being over dramatic and he needs to learn more about corporate life because he's being coddled.

And that he needs a wake up call, and that's what I gave him.

Surely they would agree with me, right? Wrong, they instead did the opposite.

I know I'm not the one to go to other people for them to stroke my ego, but I thought for sure they would agree with me or at least half agree with me.

I didn't seem to get why I was in the wrong, so Daphne got frustrated, everytime she tried to explain the situation, I would add on a good point, this went on for two times. Back and forward.

Three times the charm, I guess.

Daphne sighs as she talks slowly, walking me through the steps, simplifying, "Okay, Hailey listen, and don't talk after I'm done okay? You can say your peace afterwards, okay?" she confirms.

I slightly rolled my eyes as I nodded, motioning as I pretended to zip my lips.

"So–" Daphne starts off, "You did something that made Chopard upset, right? And he builded trust with you for all of it to go up in flames, and I think Chopard feel betrayed by whatever you did and now all trust is lost, and worst of all, he confessed his feeling so the hurt is even deeper"

"And plus–" Akako said as she added onto Daphne explanation, "It must have been more hurtful because you confessed your feelings, and he might of thought you guys were on a equal playing field" She continued after some thought, "And the two of you can trust each other"

"And maybe" Akako added, not holding up, "It might be even more hurtful because he was in a vulnerable position whenever he discovered what happened or whatever happen that caused the argument" And adding salt to my wound, she said quickly, "I mean, I would feel so much betrayal if I was in Chopard's place"

As Akako finished, her statement had me thinking about betrayal, I mean, putting myself in Liam's shoes, I would've been upset as well, your boss having a file on you in their drawer and you finding it in the worst possible time.

But that thought led me further to think, I mean, what if Logan was right about his suspicion and Chopard is really the one behind the corruption of the files? And my feelings were blinding me from seeing the truth? That is something I would never forgive myself for.

It can't be true, it just can't.

Daphne then interrupts my thoughts as she stated, "Hailey, the dynamics between you and Chopard are stacking against him and that could be overwhelming"

That is true, I mean, speaking out against your boss, like what Chopard did several hours ago, can be used against you. The dynamics between us will always be stacked against Liam, no matter how hard we try to ignore it.

I mean, If the board of members were to choose between a CEO who started the company and has been successful at her job, and an assistant who started not long ago, then I think we both know who they would choose.

But it also had me thinking that maybe from Liam's perspective again, being an assistant for a big company, working closely to the CEO, he might be a target, and the assumption from Logan a prime example.

Daphne then voices her urgency, "Hailey" Grabbing my attention, "I know we don't know the full story about what's been happening at the office, but you have to decide what you want from Liam and what you're going to get from all of this. And whether to tell him what's really the matter or to let him go"

I looked at the fireplace and thought, What do I want from Chopard?

Liam really humbled Hailey and her friends didn't hold back.

But poor Liam—For now.

-Summer Roe