*
*
Mondays were exhausting as usual, it always seemed to be the longest of all the days.
Frequent meetings, fixing appointments, and summing up the previous week's data. It was something Faith would never get used to despite her years of working at the office.
She hurriedly walked towards the cafeteria, even though it was her coffee break, she still had a lot of workload to be completed.
"___ you might be w_wrong! Tell me you're joking!" Faith heard Darla's familiar high-pitched voice.
"I certainly heard it right! Remember, that famous reporter? I told you I overheard some parts of their conversation, do you think she really got married to the boss?"
Faith froze at the doorway.
She stared from Darla to Yvonne, there were some other colleagues present as well.
There were gossiping openly about the one thing she had strived the most to be kept hidden.
"Now, you are reaching! Why would Mr. Hunter tie the knot with that ugly slut! I don't believe you and I also don't think she's that capable!" Darla scoffed.
Faith clenched her fists, her first thought was to turn away from them but her leg muscles refused to cooperate with her.
Her presence hadn't been noticed yet as they seemed totally immersed in their discussion.
"I also don't want to believe it as well, but we all know how cunning she is and how she remained in her position for so long, she's capable of anything! Or haven't you noticed that Mr. Hunter always carries out whatever she suggests even on critical business issues?" Yvonne spoke yet again and the others nodded in agreement.
"Mr. Hunter has been bewitched by her! she does nothing but smile to look pretty and of course, spread those whorish legs open to get promoted! I can do a more better job than her, but I chose my dignity to remain intact!" Darla smiled even though her eyes reflected jealousy and resentment.
Faith could feel her heart crumbling, her chest felt too constricted to breathe freely.
She had always thought she wouldn't mind whatever was spoken about her, she only needed them to perform their duties effectively, but this was too much!
How could they slender her so horribly when she'd always tried her utmost to be considerate of them?
She took a step into the spacious open room.
The conversations suddenly died down until there was pin-drop silence. The tension in the air was thick enough to saw through with a knife.
Faith saw panic flash across Yvonne's and Darla's features and was surprised.
They were always so bold and never seemed to be afraid of her.
"S_sir__" Darla sputtered.
Faith was confused for a second, that was when she realized that all pairs of gazes in the room weren't fixed on her.
Rather, they were focused on something behind her. Faith spun around, her eyes widening a bit when she saw Sterling.
His expression was grim, he met her stare briefly.
Had he been standing behind her all these while without her knowledge?! Did he also hear the gossip about them? Faith thought.
His severe expression told her he might have.
"Is it your habit to speak ill about your superiors?!" Sterling cracked the silence. His voice was sharp and dangerous.
Even Faith barely suppressed a quiver at the cold anger in his voice that seemed to whip across the room.
"N_no Sir, I didn't m_mean__" Yvonne faltered, her face becoming paper white.
"It w_was all her! She started it!" Darla pointed a finger at Yvonne, the bold woman from before was long gone.
"How dare you say that I started it?! Wasn't it you who called Miss. Jameson a slut and also said that Mr. Hunter has been bewitched?" Yvonne fired defensively.
"I__ I _" Darla stammered.
"That's enough for the both of you!" Sterling was in no mood of hearing them argue.
What he'd heard was enough to send his blood boiling, it was a miracle how he still managed to maintain his composure.
"The both of you are fired! Get your things, and leave my property right now!"
A gasp from the other colleagues echoed the room, followed by abrupt silence.
Faith saw the devastation on Yvonne's and Darla's faces, but she didn't feel sorry for them.
"I was w_wrong please I__ I know my m_mistake n_now!" Darla cried, her eyes pleading with Faith as though for leniency.
Faith's heart wasn't moved, not even when Darla started to apologize with tears falling freely from her eyes.
"It's good you understand your mistake, it might be useful to you in the future." Faith spoke, a slight gasp escaping her mouth when Sterling moved to entangle her fingers with his.
Her eyes flew to meet his gaze as she sought to yank her fingers free, his action in front of so many wasn't professional.
She was unable to read his expression and his grip only tightened.
What was he doing?!
"To make some things clear, there is also an announcement that I would like to make__"
Faith's heart missed a beat at his statement, his intention flickered in his eyes seconds just before he made the proclamation.
"___ Miss Jameson is my wife!"