The office gossip

Chapter 22: The Office Gossip

Sarah walked into the office, feeling a sense of unease wash over her. She had been noticing that people had been staring at her and Jake, whispering to each other when they thought no one was looking.

As she made her way to her desk, she overheard a snippet of conversation between two coworkers. "I heard they're dating," one of them said, nodding towards Sarah and Jake.

Sarah's heart sank, and she felt a surge of anxiety. She knew that rumors had been circulating, but she had hoped to keep their relationship private for a little while longer.

Jake must have sensed her unease, because he caught her eye and mouthed "don't worry" as he walked by.

But it was hard not to worry. The office gossip mill was notorious for spreading rumors and half-truths, and Sarah knew that their relationship would be under scrutiny.

As the day went on, Sarah tried to focus on her work, but she couldn't shake the feeling that everyone was watching her. She felt like she was under a microscope, and it was making her anxious.

Jake tried to reassure her during their lunch break, but even he couldn't deny the tension in the air. "We knew this would happen eventually," he said, taking her hand. "We just have to be confident and not let the gossip get to us."

Sarah nodded, trying to feel more confident. But as they walked back to the office, she couldn't help but wonder what other rumors were circulating, and how they would affect their relationship.

As the days went by, the gossip only intensified. People would whisper to each other when Sarah and Jake walked by, and some even had the nerve to ask them directly if they were dating.

Sarah and Jake tried to navigate the gossip with dignity, but it was hard not to let it get to them. They knew that their relationship was strong, but they also knew that the office gossip could be relentless.

One day, as they were leaving the office, Jake turned to Sarah and said, "You know, I think it's time we address the elephant in the room."

Sarah raised an eyebrow, curious. "What do you mean?"

Jake smiled mischievously. "I think it's time we make our relationship official. No more sneaking around, no more rumors. We're in this together, and we should be proud of it."

Sarah's heart skipped a beat as she considered Jake's words. Was she ready to go public with their relationship? Only time would tell.