Page 22 of Tempted By Eden

How can this be real? How can he be here?

As my anger cools, embarrassment takes its place, piercing and cold like frost on a windowpane. He wasn’t wrong to call me a thief and a hooker… well, not entirely.

Under the circumstances, I can’t blame him for jumping to conclusions. He thinks I’m here to blackmail him, and honestly, can I fault him? How am I going to convince him that this is nothing more than a horrible coincidence? Or should I just resign and cut my losses?

I groan, slumping in my chair. This job was supposed to be my lifeline—without it, we could lose everything.Going back to Eden isn’t an option. Resigning isn’t either. But can I really face Leo’s father every day when he clearly hates my guts?

I don’t have a choice. This job isn’t just a paycheck—it’s my chance to give Leo the stable life he deserves. The only way forward is to prove James wrong. I need to show him I belong here, that I earned my position because of my intellect and experience, not through manipulation or deceit.

Decision made, I feel a bit better—until I remember the fake name he gave me in Malta.

Dick move.

I lift my head just as Nathan approaches, his lips pressed in a thin line.“Cora, you’re shaking,” he says softly. “What the hell happened back there?”

“Shhh,” I hiss, glancing around. “Keep your voice down!”

Nathan leans in, eyes wide. “I’ve never seen James like that before. He looked livid, and that’s saying something—his normal look is pissed off.”

I cover my face with my hands. “Oh, Nathan, it’s a complete disaster.”

“What’s going on?” he asks again, more impatient this time.

“I can’t tell you here,” I mumble.

“Fine, but you and me”—he points between us—“drinks after work, and you better spill.”

“Okay, yes, let’s do that,” I whisper hurriedly.

His gaze lingers, uneasy, before he turns to leave. Though we’ve just met, his concern is unexpectedly comforting.

The rest of the day drags on painfully. I have no idea what I’m supposed to be doing and concentration is futile. By the time five o’clock rolls around, I’m more than ready to get out of here.

Nathan and I leave the office together and head directly across the road to Maxine’s, a grungy bar filled with an after-work crowd.

“I’ll get us some drinks, then you’re going to talk,” Nathan says, giving me a pointed look.

As I settle into a quiet corner, I consider how much to tell him. We’ve just met, so I can’t be entirely sure I can trust him. I’m usually a good judge of character, but this situation is too sensitive. I decide to leave Eden out of the conversation for now.

Nathan returns with a tray of shots and cocktails.

“Did you forget it’s a school night?” I laugh, despite myself.

“I have a feeling this is going to require a lot of alcohol.” He hands me a shot. “To my new work wife,” Nathan says with a wink, and we clink glasses. I throw back the shot, the tequila burning down my throat.

Four shots and two strong cocktails later, we’re both well beyond tipsy, and my plan to keep certain things close to my chest has dissolved in a haze of alcohol.

“Wow… just… wow.” Nathan’s eyes are wide with bewilderment.

“I know, right?” I shout back, making Nathan wince.

“I knew we needed this tonight,” he says, raising his martini. “I can’t believe you fucked him… he’s such a prick.” He shakes his head.

After hearing most of my story—everything except for the identity of Leo’s father—he shared his insights on the office culture. Having been with Hayes & Hayward Media for nearly a decade, Nathan has seen the company’s internal dynamics shift dramatically. When the founders’ sons stepped down unexpectedly and Dameon and James took over, swooping in from the US to save the struggling Australian branch, they brought a new energy to the company—but it wasn’t exactly a good one. According to him, they are respected but feared, and completely out of touch with their employees. Upper management seems to be where the culture problems begin, yet no one dares to approach or challenge them.

“What are you going to do?” Nathan asks, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I sigh, feeling the weight of my situation. “I honestly don’t know.”

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