Chapter 6

The next morning, Rona arrived at the office half an hour earlier than usual.

The hallway was almost empty, except for the janitor pushing a cart jingling faintly.

Rona was standing before her office door. Her hand hovered over the handle of the door as she recalled the suspicious text message from Khloe last night.

The sound of the key entering the lock echoed clearly in the silent corridor.

As the door opened a gap, she heard some soft sounds inside, including the rustlings of clothes and a woman's stifled laughter.

Rona's hand froze on the doorknob. Through the gap, she saw her office chair facing away from the door. Darren's arm rested on its armrest, his slender fingers clasped around another delicate wrist.

Khloe was straddling his lap. Her long hair draped down, partially concealing her face, but her neck exposed was flushed with a suggestive pink.

"Stop it," Darren said with a voice full of desire that Rona was all too familiar with, "This is Rona's office."

"That makes all of this more thrilling, doesn't it?" Khloe murmured into his ear. Her fingers deftly undid the top button of his shirt. "Didn't you say she asked for a leave today?" Indeed, the previous night, Rona had texted him, telling him she was going for a medical check-up. It was a ruse to ensure he wouldn't be around while she met Khloe.

Darren didn't respond. But the chair he sat on swayed slightly.

Khloe tilted her head back. Her red lips brushed against his chin.

From this angle, Rona could clearly see the smug curve of her lips and the defiant glint in Khloe's eyes as they met her own. Khloe had known she was standing there all along.

Rona's stomach twisted painfully, like someone punched her on her stomach violently.

For three years, this desk had witnessed many intimate secrets between her and Darren. He would sneak in when no one was around to embrace her from behind. They had shared numerous coffee-flavored kisses behind the blinds. Once, when she was working late, he had even pinned her to this very desk...

Now another woman was sitting there.

Khloe deliberately slowed her movements, looking at Rona while caressing Darren's collarbone.

Rona stepped back then bumped into the potted plant behind her. The ceramic pot hit the floor with a dull thud.

"What was that?" Darren's voice was hoarse because of his desire.

"Nothing," Khloe giggled, pulling his face back, "Probably just the janitor."

Rona just fled away. In the pantry room, she turned on the faucet, letting the cool water run over her trembling fingers. The woman in the mirror had eyes brimming with tears yet stubbornly refused to let them fall.

She had known this day would come, but witnessing it was as painful as a dull blade slowly cutting through her heart.

"Rona?" Kaiden's voice came from behind her. "Are you alright?"

Rona turned off the tap and grabbed a tissue to dry her hands. "I'm fine, just got something in my eyes."

"Darren was looking for you earlier," Kaiden handed her a document. "He said you need to review this contract."

Rona took the document. It was the quarterly report with her resignation letter hidden in it. She turned to the last page and found there was no signature.

"Where is he now?"

"He's in the meeting room with Khloe." Kaiden hesitated, "Rona, you don't look well."

Rona forced a smile. "Could you please make me a cup of coffee?"

When she back to her office, she found the scent of Khloe's perfume was lingering in the air. She opened all the windows, letting the cold wind sweep away the cloying sweetness.

She sat at her computer, reprinted the resignation letter, and placed it on top of the documents this time.

At noon, Darren walked in, bringing the chill from the meeting room with him. He paused when he saw Rona. "Why didn't you let me know you were here?"

Without looking up, Rona replied, "I heard you were busy."

Darren approached, placing a stack of documents on the desk, "You need to sign these."

Rona pushed the prepared documents toward him. "Right on time. You need to sign these, too."

Darren casually opened them. The first one he saw was a normal procurement contract. He picked up a pen and signed his name smoothly. But then his pen paused over the signature line of the resignation letter.

He frowned at her. "What is this?"

"A new process by the HR Department. All executives need to re-sign their employment contracts."

Darren didn't scrutinize the content. He merely glanced at it before signing.

As he closed the file, the office door swung open, and Khloe's soft voice floated in. "Darren, Mr. Sanders is pressing for the proposal."

Darren immediately put down his pen. "Aren't we supposed to handle that this afternoon?"

Khloe leaned against the door frame with her gaze drifting past him to Rona and a faint smile playing on her lips.

Rona quietly put the signed resignation letter away in her drawer and locked it.

"I'm going to the HR." She grabbed her coat and headed toward the door. As she passed them, Darren reached out to stop her. "Wait."

Rona sidestepped his grasp, leaving the office without a backward glance.

In the hallway, she heard Khloe spoke in feigned concern, "Darren, does Rona have something against me?" As the elevator doors closed, Rona finally allowed herself to take a deep breath.

Her phone buzzed with a message from Jade. "Rona, is it signed?"

Rona texted her back, "Yes, I'll bring it over now."