Page 47 of The Boss's Hideaway Baby

MARIA

I blink back tears as I leave Nathan’s office, his rejection still ringing in my ears. I need to get out of the office, stat. The last thing I need right now is an audience to my pain.

My heart aches, a tight knot forming in my chest. I walk briskly towards the elevator, willing myself not to cry.

“Maria, wait up!” Emily’s voice calls out from behind me, just as I’m about to press the elevator button.

I turn, forcing a smile onto my face. Just down the hallway, a group of coworkers are stood in a circle. Seeing Emily jogging toward me, they stop talking and glance in our direction.

So much for no audience.

“Hey, are you okay?” Emily asks, concern written all over her face. “You look upset.”

“Uh, yeah… It’s just allergies.” I rub at my eyes as if to prove my point. As much as I appreciate Emily’s concern, discussing my failed love life in front of my colleagues isn’t high on my list of priorities.

“Really? There’s nothing seasonal right now.”

Before I can respond, I overhear something that makes my blood run cold.

“Did you hear about Maria and Nathan?” one coworker whispers to another, not quite quietly enough. “I heard they’re dating.”

“Seriously?” the other replies, glancing in my direction with raised eyebrows.

The rumor stings. If only it were true. But it’s not, and the reminder of that fact feels like salt being rubbed into an open wound. I need to get out of here, away from their prying eyes and gossiping mouths.

“Um, I really need to go,” I say, quickly pressing the elevator button again. As the doors slide open, I step inside, avoiding eye contact with everyone.

“See you later,” I mumble to Emily, forcing another halfhearted smile.

“Are you sure you don’t want to talk about anything?” She all but steps into the elevator door after me. But the doors close before she can enter, and I’m finally alone.

My eyes fill with tears once more, but I refuse to let them fall. Not yet. Not when there are so many people I know close by — especially ones who know Nathan. If I walk around the building crying, he’ll probably hear about it before I even reach my apartment.

I can’t wait to get home, where I can cry in peace, away from the judgment and the rumors. And maybe, just maybe, where I can start figuring out how to move on with my life.

Keeping my head down, I walk to the subway and grab a seat with the rest of the rush-hour crowd. When I get off at my stop, I breathe in the evening city air, trying to focus on something other than my aching heart. The smell of roasted nuts from a nearby vendor and the sound of traffic remind me that life goes on, even if mine feels like it’s falling apart.

Walking towards my apartment building, I can’t help but think about how a small part of me had actually expected Nathan to say he shared my feelings. To say that he wanted to be with me too. But instead, all I got was a cold, professional response.

It’s funny how a single conversation can shatter your dreams so completely.

The walk turns into a blur as I finally reach the entrance to my apartment building. My fingers fumble with the keys, and once inside, I climb the familiar stairs. The moment the door to my home clicks shut behind me, I slide down against it, allowing the tears to flow freely.

“Ugh, why does this hurt so much?” I sob, wiping away the endless stream of tears with the back of my hand.

After what feels like an eternity, I pull myself together enough to call Kelsey. It’s only been a day since she left, and I already wish she were back here with me.

“Hey.” Her cheerful voice greets me when she answers the video call. “What’s up?”

“Kelsey… I need you.” My voice cracks. I’ve been trying to stay strong, but in front of my sister, the person who knows me better than anyone, I just can’t hold it together.

“Oh, honey. What happened?” She leans closer to the screen.

“Remember that thing I told you about the other day? About confessing my feelings to Nathan?” I choke out the words, feeling another wave of tears threatening to surface.

“Of course! Did you do it?” Kelsey’s eyes widen with anticipation, but her excitement quickly fades when she sees the tears welling up in my eyes again.

“Y–yeah, I did,” I stammer, my voice barely a whisper. “And he… he doesn’t feel the same way.”

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