The morning was crisp and bright as Nick, Ellie, Ethan, Freya, and Tony settled around a large, secluded table at a high-end French bistro, the aroma of strong coffee and warm pastries replacing the lingering smells. Ellie looked noticeably better, though a little pale, and was currently buttering a croissant with slow, deliberate movements.
“I still can’t believe it,” Freya murmured, shaking her head. “How did you guys manage to find David so fast? And how did you know to go to that horrifying place?”
Nick took a large sip of espresso, his demeanor shifting instantly into the focused, analytical CEO. “It wasn’t luck,” he stated. “After the Five Star Softwares CEO meeting, Tony, Ethan, and I knew someone was supplying insider information. The CEO didn’t give us the mole’s name, but the reaction confirmed it was an inside job. We couldn't press further in front of the founder’s, so we hired a private investigator immediately—Chris, the guy who broke down the door.”
Ethan picked up the narrative. “Tony provided the real breakthrough. He discreetly hacked into David’s corporate laptop, which he’d used before quitting. Tony found a series of encrypted communications and bank transfers linked directly to Peter Paul, the MLM CEO. David wasn’t just a disgruntled employee; he was a paid spy.”
Tony nodded, pushing his glasses up his nose. “Once we had the evidence of his collusion, we knew Peter Paul was getting desperate. Nick and Ethan decided to return a day early—yesterday—to coordinate with the PI and prepare the trap. We anticipated David would try to pass on information now that Peter Paul was backed into a corner. What we didn’t expect, however, was for him to get… Ellie.”
Ellie shuddered slightly at the memory. “That is the most unbelievable part,” she said softly. “It’s clear now that I wasn’t his first target. He confessed at the bar—he was trying to extract company details from Joy first. But he said she didn’t reveal anything confidential, she was only interested in gossiping about my non-existent dating life.”
“Yes, that’s exactly what he confirmed at the station,” Ethan said, resting his hand on Ellie’s. “He saw you as more useful to him, both professionally and personally, thanks to Joy’s constant—and completely inaccurate—chatter about you being ‘close to management.’”
A profound silence descended upon the table, heavy with the implication of Joy’s carelessness. Freya let out a long, disgusted sigh.
To instantly change the mood, Ellie smiled widely. “Well, let’s talk about something that isn’t toxic. We have the party tomorrow night! Everything must be perfect. I need to make sure the final floral arrangements are okay.”
Nick’s entire posture stiffened. “Absolutely not,” he said firmly, leaning forward. “Joy will take care of the final checks. You are officially grounded.”
“Then what am I supposed to do at the office?” Ellie challenged, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
“You, Elara, are going to be at home, taking mandatory rest,” Nick stated, the CEO's command unmistakable.
Ellie countered, “No, I want to go to the office. I can’t stay home. I’ll go mad sitting alone. I need to feel normal.”
Nick’s brow furrowed. “The doctor specifically said—”
“I know what the doctor said! And I’m fine!” Ellie insisted. “I’m already rested. I need distraction, not solitude. If I stay home, I’ll only replay David’s face in my mind.”
Nick conceded with visible reluctance. “I am visiting the office after lunch. I have to talk to Joy and warn her about David's involvement.”
Ellie brightened instantly. “What? You’re leaving me all alone again?” she pouted, pushing her plate away.
Nick sighed, running a hand over his face. “I have to go, Ellie. This is business.”
“Okay,” Ellie agreed, though a determined look settled in her eyes. “But only for two hours. Then you better come back.”
Later that afternoon, Nick emerged from the bedroom dressed in a crisp dark suit, ready to leave for the office. He found Ellie waiting for him in the hallway, also completely ready, dressed in an elegant but casual dress.
Nick stopped short, an expression of bewildered fury crossing his face. “Where exactly do you think you’re going, Elara?”
Ellie simply walked past him and went to the front door. “To the office, of course. I already told you, I’m very bored here.” When Nick began to sputter a refusal, she stopped, turned around, and put her hands together in a pleading gesture. “Pretty please, Nick? I will be bored out of my mind here all alone. I have Freya there, Ethan, Tony, and you all are there to take care of me. At home, I’ll just be a prisoner.”
Nick looked at her—her wide, pleading eyes, the subtle pout—and his professional resolve crumbled. The memory of finding her in the bar was too fresh; he couldn't deny her comfort and safety now, even if that safety was found in his presence at the office.
“Fine!” he bit out, defeated. “But you are coming with me, and you are not doing any work. You are merely going to relax. That is an order, Ellie.”
Ellie beamed, seizing her victory with a swift, confident kiss on his cheek. “Yes, Sir. Understood, Sir.”
They drove to the office. Ellie, as usual, rushed ahead. She entered the floor first, walking past Joy’s desk.
Joy looked up, astonished. “Ellie? You’re on leave for the half-day! You didn’t even inform me!”
Ellie paused, a triumphant glint in her eyes. “I reported to my boss, Joy, and he approved it.”
Joy scoffed. “Mr. Abbott is on medical leave, who are you talking about?”
Ellie smirked, leaning in slightly. “Excuse me, my boss is Mr. Nicholas Vance.”
Before Joy could formulate a scathing reply, Nick strode into the office, his imposing figure silencing the entire floor. He walked straight toward Joy’s desk, but stopped short of it.
“Joy, my cabin. Now,” he ordered, his voice flat and devoid of warmth.
Joy immediately followed, her face a mixture of confusion and nervousness.
Nick came straight to the point, leaving no room for preamble. “Joy, are you truly loyal to this company?”
Joy was shocked, her composure shattering. “Sir, what have I done?”
“Were you talking to David after he was terminated?” Nick asked, his eyes drilling into hers.
Joy hesitated, biting her lip. “Yes, Sir. He would call sometimes, asking about the company. He said he missed working here, and I felt sorry for him. But I never, ever told him anything confidential. I swear.”
“Then what did you talk about, if not company information?” Nick challenged.
Joy's face flushed crimson, her eyes darting away. Nick leaned back in his chair, folding his hands. “I want the truth, Joy. Now.”
Joy finally confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. “I talked about Elara. I was frustrated, Sir. I felt like she was attracting all the attention, and because of that, my work was not being recognized. I was angry that she was always around you.”
Nick’s face hardened, his jaw clenched. “You and Elara are different, Joy. You are a professional executive assistant; she is a strategic planner. They are not comparable roles. If you find anything about your career trajectory or recognition bothering you, you come directly to me. Not to someone who was plotting against the company!”
He paused, letting the weight of his next words sink in. “Because of this massive lapse in judgment, you would have severely damaged this company’s reputation, your own career, and worse, you unknowingly put a colleague in mortal danger.”
Joy stammered, tears welling up. “But… I didn’t know! I shouldn’t have gossiped about her, but David is a trustable person, I thought he was just worried about being demoted…”
To Joy’s absolute shock, Nick delivered the cold, hard truth. “David is in Jail now, Joy. Do you know why? Because he was working as a spy for the MLM CEO. We lost several clients in the past because of his actions, and he tampered with important company documents. Most importantly, he mentioned your name at the police station—that he was talking to you frequently after he left the company.”
Joy burst into tears, terrified of the legal implications. “Sir, I swear, I only gossiped about Ellie! When he asked about company affairs, I told him I didn’t know any details, even when I did!”
Nick softened slightly, seeing her genuine panic, but his resolve remained firm. “I know, Joy. I trust your work ethic and your loyalty to a point, which is why I am giving you a warning instead of a termination. Your work is excellent—I cannot find any flaws in your output. But I don’t involve you in many high-level meetings. Do you know why? Your major drawback is gossiping. You must get rid of it. You work directly with me, the CEO, and that demands absolute, utmost confidentiality.”
He stood up, walking around his desk. “You are employed to collect employee sentiments about working here—what problems we should resolve—not their personal lives or fictionalized romances. Do you understand?”
Joy, sobbing, nodded vigorously. “Yes, Sir. I understand. I promise.”
“Good. Now, I need you to go to the event venue immediately and oversee the final arrangements. Elara is unwell and cannot do it. Everything must be flawless by this evening.”
Joy nodded and fled the cabin, rushing past Ellie and Freya.
Ellie and Freya looked at Joy’s tear-stained, worried face with amusement and curiosity.
“Wow,” Freya whispered. “Was that really Joy? She looks like she just got fired and resurrected.”
Ellie quietly walked into Nick’s cabin, a questioning look on her face. “What did you tell her? She looks absolutely terrified.”
Nick was back at his desk, managing emails, but his hand reached out and rested casually on her arm. “The truth. All of it. The part about David, the part about her being a spy, and the part about her gossiping being a major flaw.”
Ellie sat on the corner of his desk. “Apart from her habit of embellishing stories, she’s a trustworthy person, Nick. She never compromised company secrets.”
Nick sighed, looking into her eyes. “Yes, I know that. Which is why I only gave her a severe warning. I didn’t fire her. But, Ellie, your life was literally endangered because of loose lips. I need everyone around me—around us—to understand the meaning of confidentiality.” He gently pulled her closer, his thumb tracing patterns on her arm. “Now, stop worrying about my employees and focus on relaxing, as ordered. I want to see you glowing tomorrow night at the party, not exhausted.”
Ellie leaned into his touch, the heat of his hand reassuring her. “Yes, Sir. I think I’ll take my mandatory rest right here.” She settled comfortably on the large armchair, content just to be in his presence.
