Fourth Message

As you lie in bed, you stare at the picture, your fingers exploring every detail, while your thoughts and your mind replay the call you just had. You should have gone to sleep, but when you close your eyes, you can't help but think back to that man's voice, those heart-pounding words, and...your own response.

The inability to rest due to these lingering thoughts causes you to shift restlessly in your bed and finally fall asleep with your pillow in your arms.

Upon awakening, you experience a sense of heaviness in both your mind and body; this sort of thing can be physically draining. His messages are always ahead of you each morning: "Good morning, cutie."

He assigns you yet another endearing label, prompting you to consider, "How many affectionate names for other girls?"

As you prepare to leave, his subsequent message reads, "Jealous? Only you."

You find it peculiar that he seems tireless, while you struggle to maintain your own energy levels.

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Arriving at your workplace, you are notified of an unexpected meeting scheduled for today. You are required to assist the CEO in documenting the meeting and following up afterward.

In the conference room, nearly all participants have taken their seats. You set up your laptop and prepare the document for recording. As you await the arrival of others, you send a message to the other man on the anonymous application and then close your phone: "In a meeting, busy today."

The message is sent, but the network connection is slow. Just as everyone is ready to begin and the CEO is about to speak—' Ding.' The unexpected sound of the familiar anonymous software interrupts the room.

Silence ensues as everyone contemplates the situation; no one wants to incur the CEO's displeasure for disruptions during the meeting.

Your heart races as you are looking for the source of the notification; it was from the CEO. Could it potentially be...? Seizing the moment while others are preoccupied, you swiftly send another message, "Are you available?"

'Ding.'

The CEO casts a glance at his cell phone, maintaining an unchanged expression, and with deliberate movements, silenced the message alert. He then raised his gaze and resumed his speech, the beeping sound from the phone just now seems to be just an illusion for everyone.

You strive to center yourself, recognizing the necessity to compartmentalize work from personal concerns for the time being. With a messy heartbeat, you swallow to calm yourself down and force yourself to focus on accurately recording the minutes.

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After summarizing the discussion, you try to keep a calm expression as you return to your seat, to reorganize the notes you just took. But your eyes can't help but glance in the direction of the CEO, who remains calm and exhibits no discernible reaction to the brief interruption.

You dismiss any deeper thoughts, reassuring yourself that this was simply a coincidence.

Upon receiving a message that the CEO wants to see you in his office, you approach him feeling apprehensive.

"How is the report progressing? Any problems with it? "The CEO looks at you and asks.

The CEO has indicated the need for discussion, which provides you with a sense of relief as you begin to outline your documentation and related concerns.

He emphasized the importance of assisting in scheduling time, preparing meeting materials, and prompting him about crucial meetings or activities, etc. It is common for supervisors to assume their subordinates can handle everything independently, but the CEO presents a friendly demeanor.

Once the work-related matters are addressed, lunch break arrives, leading to an audible reminder from your stomach.

"My apologies." You offer an awkward smile.

"Shall we go to lunch?" The CEO checks his watch, retrieves his car keys, and rises from his seat.

"Certainly." You cheerfully make to leave.

"Together."

Your smile suddenly freezes, prompting you to turn towards the CEO, "Is there something further to discuss?"

"What do you think?" The CEO's response catches you off guard.

Colleagues observed as you and the CEO left together, leaning in to exchange whispers. "It's not easy to do; She has only been here a few days and doesn't even have her own time to eat…" Their expressions were sympathetic as you walked away, leaving you to wonder silently: who could save me from this?

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The CEO, driving and focused on the road, noticed your fatigue. "You seem a bit tired. Not sleeping well?"

"I'm… okay," you replied, palms sweating. You resisted imagining anything beyond a professional relationship with him.

He suggested a restaurant, and as you fidgeted with your bowl, he asked, "No appetite?"

"It's not that. I just don't like this side dish," you push some of the food to the side.

"Well, maybe it's because you were busy last night," he remarked casually.

Your movements paused, a shiver running down your spine. "Ahaha, was it?" You averted your gaze, feeling the heat rise in your cheeks.

"There are many ways to relax, right?" he said lightly.

"Uh-huh." Confusion clouded your thoughts. What did he mean by that?

Just then, your phone buzzed. A message arrived from the one on the anonymous app: "Asking me so much today?"

You stole a glance at the CEO, seeking any hint of emotion on his face, but his gaze locked onto yours for a brief moment before drifting away. Was it just a coincidence? Nervous sweat trickled down your forehead.

When you headed back to the office after lunch, the two of you walked separately, returning to your own desks.

"Are you alright?" the secretary asked, eyeing your pale complexion. "Did the CEO give you a tough time?"

"… Just feeling warm," you replied, smiling at his joking nature.

"The CEO…" the senior secretary started, her tone hinting at secrets.

"Eh, what's that?" others gathered around her, eager for the latest gossip.

You shook your head, reminding yourself to stay focused on your work. As the lunch break is about to end, you open the anonymous app again.

"There's someone who looks a lot like you."

The response was immediate. "What's the resemblance?"

You typed, "The voice and the way he speaks, I suppose."

"Do you wish that person was me?"

You hesitated, then exited the app. Deep down, you didn't wish he was or not — it is that message ringtone from the meeting that rang too familiar and coincident.

If he knew, why didn't he tell you? Or was he trying to test your reaction? Caution was necessary in this situation.

Later at home, after a cleansing shower, you felt mentally drained from the day. The CEO was indeed a complex individual, and you found yourself pounding the bed in frustration, struggling to figure out your next steps.

A call came in from the anonymous contact, but you ignored it.

"Are you scared?" he texted.

"No, I'm fine," you replied.

Moments later, another call came through, and this time you picked up. "What's going on today?" he asked, his tone oblivious to the tension you felt.

"Just a meeting," you responded, withholding the full truth.

"Stressful?" he inquired, tapping his fingers on the table thoughtfully.

"It was a little…" The words felt awkward, knowing he was the CEO and wondering how to express it.

"Did you want to talk today? Only talk."

"Uh…" You were surprised at your enjoyment of his tone. Sneaking these conversations felt unconventional but exciting. You should hide your true identity from him.

"What else did you do today?" he asked.

"Just recorded the meeting and ate noodle soup…" You chose your words carefully, fearing he might recognize something amiss.

"Funny enough, I did the same," he replied. You missed the sharp glint of realization in his eyes.

"Oh, really? What else?" you inquired back.

"You don't know?"

"Why...why would I?" you stammered, sensing you'd given too much away.

"Well, eventually you will, right?"

As the night settled in, you sensed that this would be another sleepless night.