Chapitre 10: HIDDEN PLEASURES

After returning from his holiday, James felt a sense of unease as he noticed Vivian's absence at the office. He decided to inquire among his colleagues, hoping to find some answers.

Soon, Vinicius, his boss, summoned him into his office to discuss upcoming projects. As he entered, his face betrayed his worry about Vivian's mysterious absence. Despite multiple attempts to reach her by phone, she remained unreachable.

Vinicius, with an air of arrogance, remarked, "You've been here for a while now, James. Did you really need a reminder to inform me of your return to work?"

James hesitated, his anger simmering just beneath the surface, fearful that a careless word might jeopardize his job. Vinicius, however, awaited his response, knowing James's significant contributions to the company shielded him from dismissal.

As seconds ticked away, Vinicius couldn't contain his impatience any longer and slammed his hands on the table, jolting James. Nervously, James began to stutter, "I… I… I was setting up my office and working on submitting files for some clients before coming to you."

Intrigue mounted as the tension between the two men grew, revealing the complexities beneath the surface of their professional relationship.

Vinicius couldn't help but flash a smile, though, beneath the surface, annoyance gnawed at him like a persistent itch. Vivian's presence in the office was a constant reminder of his own internal battle between pride and reality.

With a facade of composure, he casually uttered, "The personal assistant position appears to be filled, at least for the time being," all the while engrossed in signing a pile of documents. Unbeknownst to anyone, Vinicius harboured a hidden agenda behind his words – he had no intention of letting anyone take Vivian's place. He knew, deep down, that finding a replacement for her would be an impossible task.

Vivian possessed an unparalleled work ethic. She was unwavering in her dedication to her job, even if it meant enduring the most gruelling of tasks. Late-night phone calls were her norm, all to appease her demanding boss, Vinicius.

Yet, despite her unwavering commitment, Vinicius never acknowledged her efforts. To him, pride was an insurmountable barrier preventing him from recognizing her diligence. He viewed her as nothing more than a disposable entity in his professional realm.

James had something pressing to convey to Vinicius. However, Vinicius waved him off dismissively, sending him away without a second thought. The office, once filled with the buzz of activity, now hung in an eerie silence.

But silence never lasted long in this office, for Nina, the office's self-proclaimed busybody, sauntered in. With an air of audacity that never ceased to amaze, she embarked on her usual routine of trying to captivate Vinicius.

"Sir," she purred seductively, "I was hoping you could spare a moment to look at this document. I find myself quite perplexed."

Nina's audacity knew no bounds, for she dared to set her sights on the elusive Vinicius. She was bold enough to envision a romantic connection, despite the insurmountable odds. Perhaps Vinicius might succumb to her advances, but he would never bestow upon her a second glance, for in his eyes, she remained an inconsequential figure in his world.

In this tumultuous office, pride, and ego clashed with reality. Vivian's silent dedication was taken for granted, while Nina's brazen attempts at seduction were met with indifference. And Vinicius, the enigmatic figure at the centre of it all, remained an impenetrable fortress, his true emotions hidden beneath the facade of a mere smile.

She inched closer to Vinicius, drawing him into a tantalizing mystery within the document's pages. As she did, her attire subtly shifted, revealing a glimpse of her most intimate desires, hoping Vinicius would seize the opportunity.

Nina had a penchant for short dresses that had the power to ignite desire in any man. Vinicius, though fully aware of the seductive dance unfolding before him, chose to remain silent, resisting the tempting proposition that hung in the air like an unspoken promise.

Perhaps, in the depths of his thoughts, Vinicius contemplated indulging in the enigmatic allure of Nina's body. However, he understood the risks all too well, knowing that getting entangled with an employee often led to complications. Vinicius had a history of not keeping women he had affairs with close, and Nina's job could be on the line if she pushed too hard.

Outside the office door, James, a keen observer of Nina's entrance, knocked with a sense of urgency. He was determined to find a way to extricate Nina from the office before she managed to ensnare Vinicius completely. He feared that if she succeeded in seducing him, their colleagues might become pawns in her games.

James' initial knock had gone unanswered, leading him to suspect that something more intimate might be transpiring within the office. Frustration and disappointment welled up within him. "How could Mr. Vinicius stoop so low as to engage in an affair with that woman who conceals her inadequacies with corporate attire?" he muttered in disbelief, sighing heavily. He knocked again, his irritation evident. "She's merely lazy, seeking to offload her workload onto others while attempting to play the role of a boss she'll never truly be."

He knocked on the door once more, frustration etched on his face. Vinicius turned to Nina, his brow furrowed, and asked if she had locked the door behind her when she entered. Nina, with a hint of guilt, replied with a soft-spoken "no."

Vinicius couldn't hide his annoyance. "Then why on earth is that person knocking as if they've lost their senses?" He questioned, his tone filled with irritation. He gestured for Nina to open the door.

As Nina slowly swung the door open, James' intense gaze locked onto hers. In the depths of his mind, he seethed, "You've finally got what you've been craving, you traitor."

Vinicius, standing behind Nina, maintained his composure, waiting for James to approach before delivering his reprimand. He couldn't contain his anger any longer. "Are you out of your mind? You should have stayed in your rat-hole of a house. I don't understand why you're causing such a disturbance here."

James began to stammer, attempting to explain himself, but Vinicius silenced him with a sharp gesture. "You left this office just a few minutes ago. Did you forget to lock the door?" Vinicius demanded, his voice dripping with annoyance.

As Vinicius concluded his questioning, James' confusion deepened. He glanced back at Nina, who stood there like a bewildered goat, unsure of what to do or say.

Inwardly, James questioned, "Does this mean they've done nothing?"

"I'm sorry, sir," James finally managed to utter. "I thought the door was locked. I apologise, sir."

Vinicius, still fuming, turned his attention to Nina. "Take this worthless file of yours and get out!" he barked, his anger causing Nina to flinch. She hurriedly collected the documents, her face flushed with anger, and stormed out of the room.

Silent enveloped the office once again. James' face bowed, waiting for Vinicius to break the silence, while Vinicius did the same.

What could have happened if James didn't knock on the door?