False Smiles

Esmeray

I can't even focus on what Liam is saying anymore. My thoughts keep drifting back to Noah. He's talking to someone—a woman, just that fact sends an unsettling pang through me. He looks irritated, maybe startled, but why do I even care? I should hate him. I want to hate him. After all that's the only way I can move on.

As if sensing my thoughts, Noah's gaze snaps to mine from across the room. My heart jumps and I force myself to break the eye contact, a fake burst of laughter escaping my lips. I turn my attention back to Liam, hoping he didn't notice the crack in my composure. Thankfully, he's laughing too. At least I don't look completely unhinged.

When I glance back at the elevator, it's already closed. A small part of me feels relieved, but the rest of me? I can't stop this ridiculous swirl of emotions in me.

"Es?" Liam's voice brings me back to reality. His hand is suddenly on my cheek, and the sensation makes my skin crawl. I step back instinctively, trying to hide my discomfort, but Liam's smile is too warm, too familiar.

"You're still beautiful as ever."

I force a smile, awkward and strained. Liam's always been like this—too touchy, too forward. It makes me uncomfortable, but I can't quite place why. "You didn't have to come all the way here, you know. You could have just called."

His grin fades a little as he playfully scoffs, placing a hand dramatically over his chest. "What? You didn't miss me? I was gone for two years, Es, and you barely called. Now you're upset I visited?"

"I'm not upset" I say though my heart isn't in the words. My thoughts are still with Noah, still caught up in this frustrating loop. I'm supposed to hate him. I do hate him. But every time I see him, all those carefully buried feelings rush back up like an opened wound.

"You seem distracted" Liam says, his voice softer now, studying me in the way he always does.

I force a smile but its brittle. "No, I'm just…tired. Works been a lot lately."

His eyes narrow and he takes a step closer, his gaze probing. Liam's smart—too smart, and he's always been able to read people. It's one of the reasons I keep my guard up around him.

"You sure that's it?"

"Yeah, of course. It's nothing." I try to shake off the tension that's crawling in.

He doesn't buy it. His demeanor shifts something dark creeping into his gaze. He steps a little bit closer again his voice dropping low.

"Es, you know you can talk to me, right? Especially if something…or someone is bothering you."

Someone? Did he see me staring…I mean glancing at Noah?

I sigh running my hand through my hair. I don't like the fact that he's being so pushy. "It's not like that, Liam" I say my expression neutral as I take a step back.

His gaze remains fixed on mine, his jaw slightly clenched tighter. His eyes flicker with something—jealousy? Anger? I'm not sure. For a moment he stays like that, then lets out a soft laughter, but it's not friendly.

He shrugs with an obviously forced grin. "If you say so." He turns his back to me and begins walking to the elevator. "It was good to see you, Es." He adds over his shoulder before stepping into the elevator.

Not sure if I can say the same.

Noah

The sound of Sheila's heels tapping the floor grates my nerves. Her perfume filling the office, an overpowering mix of something to sweet and sickening, clinging to the air like a bad memory. She sits across from me too comfortable, too smug. Her eyes trailing over me.

"What's this?" I ask scowling at the resume in my hand.

She crosses her legs and leans back in the leather chair, her lips curling into a smirk. "Exactly what it looks like."

"Do I look like an illiterate? I know what it is. Why are you giving it to me?" My voice is sharper than I intended, but I don't regret it. She deserves it.

She sits in silence for a moment before uncrossing her leg and leaning forward her eyes never leaving mine. "I want a job."

"A job?" I narrow my eyes at her, irritation gnawing at me. "Don't you already have a job?"

She nods, still smirking. "I do. But I want to work here now. As your secretary"

I let out a dry laugh, shaking my head in disbelief. She's insane if she thinks she can just walk up to me and demand I willingly give her Ray's sanity, because that's what she's here for. A job? It doesn't matter to her.

"You know I'm never going to employ you," I tell her matter-of-factly.

Her brows crease together. "So, you're to turn away an amazing applicant because of what? Your loser of an ex who's nothing more than a—"

I crumple the resume in her hand, the sound cutting her off. My jaw clenches, my body taunt with barely restrained anger. "I'd stop right there is I were you."

She flinches slightly but quickly regains her composure and clears her throat leaning back into her seat with a scowl. "I see you're still obsessed with her"

I glare at her. "I see you are too." My eyes travel over her, taking in the changes—her lighter hair and hazel-tinted contacts. "I mean look at you Sheila, since when did your brown eyes become hazel? Or your black hair lightens to blondish brown?" I shake my head in disgust "Theres no way I'm welcoming the devil into our lives."

She laughs, the sound cold and sharp. "But you will, darling. Unless you want your precious Ray to find out the real reason you abandoned her eight years ago."

Her words hit like a sledgehammer and it takes everything in me not to reach across my desk and strangle her. The audacity. The complete lack of shame or guilt she has to bring that up when everything was her fault. Rage builds in my chest.

I clench my fists together on the desk. "Don't even go there."

"I already have, Noah." She stands and slowly, cautiously and irritatingly strides to me, coming to a halt behind my back. "You know I hate threating you Noah," she purrs "but you always make me do it." Her left-hand rests on my shoulder, the long nail of her index finger creeping up my neck, sending a wave of anger and disgust up my chest.

She leans in beside my ear and whispers. "The sooner you realize she's nothing more than a burden and weakness to you, the better and happier you'd become."

A low chuckle escapes me. As is I'd ever be happy without Ray. Look at me now. I snap her hand off my body and stand, turning to face her. My grip tightens around her wrist, and her smug grip wavers as she winces. Good.

"Sheila," I say, my voice dangerously low, "I've told you before and I'm telling you again: if you're going to threaten me, go ahead but if you ever speak about Ray like that—" I tighten my grip further. "—you'll regret it" I let go of her, shoving her away from me. She stumbles back but quick regains her footing.

I adjust my blazer and take my seat. "Also, I'll have you know, the only 'burden' is you."

She stands across the desk, refusing to sit, her eyes locked on mine with an expression that's more than just pain from my grip—it's something deeper, rawer. "You know," she starts, her voice softer than usual, "you've always been kind to others. But never to me. Not once did you even pretend."

She's right. I never bothered to mask my feelings with her. Even when I smiled at others, carefully curating my words, I never extended the same courtesy to her. In the beginning, it was because we were friends—there was no need to pretend, and she didn't seem to care. But over time, things changed. She became insufferable, grating on my nerves before I could even realize it. Now? Now, I can't afford to be kind to her. The more warmth I show, the more unhinged she becomes. Putting her in her place is the only way to keep her from spiraling further.

I exhale sharply, running a hand through my hair before cracking open a bottle of water. I take a long gulp, but when I glance back at her, she's watching me—her eyes hungry, practically devouring me. I scowl and quickly cover the bottle.

"You can leave now. I'll get back to you," I mutter, hoping she'll take the hint.

But she smiles, as if everything between us is just fine, and walks slowly toward the door. "Noah," she says, her hand resting on the door handle as she turns to face me again.

I groan, audibly frustrated, and drag my gaze back to her. "What now?"

Her eyes study me for a moment, and for once, her expression isn't manipulative or calculating—it's almost...neutral. Then she smiles, and it's unsettling. "I really did miss you, you know. Stop ignoring my texts already."

I don't respond, but something flickers inside me—something like guilt. For a fleeting second, I almost regret being so cold. Almost.

"I'll see you next week to start my job," she adds, blowing me a kiss before slipping out the door.

And just like that, any sympathy I might've felt evaporates. I run a hand through my hair again, tension knotting in my chest. Despite everything, I still have to hire her. Ray is going to hate it. She might even despise me for it. But it's still the lesser evil compared to her finding out the truth—especially if it comes from Sheila. That would break her.