"How could I lie to you? Katniss's yearly paycheck is really just five to six hundred grand, and with the year-end bonus and all those performance bonuses, it barely hits seven to eight hundred grand."
"Then how the heck can she afford a place in Oakwood Hills? And didn't you say she's been putting her stepsister through college and has a stepmom with cancer?"
Jessica, carrying a package, strolled towards the elevator and said, "Y'all shouldn't gossip so much. I don't know everything about Katniss. We don't live together. Back then, her stepmom messed with my husband's parents' relationship, causing a big fallout between my husband, my mother-in-law, and her stepmom. She grew up with her stepmom, so we don't usually talk about other stuff."
A few words spilled the tea that Sophia was the other woman, and Katniss was raised by her.
Rumors like this spread like wildfire through the company in just one afternoon.
When Katniss got back to her desk, she was both amused and pissed at Jessica's antics.
Jessica wanted to buy a super pricey house, a two-bedroom costing over a million bucks. Rupert only had fifty grand and said the rest would be up to her to help with. He might as well have just asked her to buy the house for them.
Just then, Jessica's text came through, apologizing for the delivery and explaining that it was a gift she had bought for Katniss. Worried that no one would be home, she had the courier deliver it to the office instead.
Katniss didn't want to get into a chat with her, so she shot back: [I can't help with the house purchase. If you want to keep your job here, you'd better behave, or don't blame me for being ruthless.]
One warning was enough to shut Jessica up. Katniss put away her phone and got back to work.
Around five in the evening, she headed out for a dinner meeting with Tristan. Halfway there, he got a call from Bella.
Since he was busy looking at documents, he put the phone on speaker.
"Tristan, are you coming to see me today?"
Tristan replied, "I'm swamped today. Got a dinner meeting tonight."
Bella said, disappointed, "What about tomorrow?"
"Synergy Global Corporation is slammed with its biggest project these days. I might not be able to get away. You should rest up in the hospital. I'll come see you when I'm not so busy." Tristan's eyes were glued to the documents, and his thin lips moved, crushing Bella's hope of seeing him in the next few days.
Katniss saw his lips through the rearview mirror, knowing they were soft and carried a warm feeling.
She didn't have a strong desire for sex and had never initiated it, but every time she saw him, she couldn't help but think about it.
For example, his hands flipping through the documents had once roamed over her body, making her lose her mind wherever they touched.
She took a deep breath, trying to pull herself out of certain images, and heard Bella say, "Tristan, do you know anything about the woman you married?"
Tristan's eyes moved slightly and said, "What do you mean?"
Bella said, "I want to look into her and see if I can meet her. If you don't remember her looks or name, do you know anything else about her?"
Tristan raised an eyebrow, as if trying hard to remember something.
"Crescent Valley University," Tristan said, mentioning the university Katniss graduated from.
Bella was stunned for a few seconds and asked, "Which department and class?"
"I don't remember," Tristan said.
Katniss let out a sigh of relief. She had told Tristan which department and class, but he hadn't paid attention and didn't remember.
The call ended, and Tristan went back to studying the documents, his gaze briefly flicking over to Katniss.
She was driving seriously, her profile bathed in the warm red of the sunset, with a few strands of hair falling softly.
The D.V Club was hosting a series of dining and entertainment activities, and the swanky private room on the top floor was already packed.
Tristan's arrival instantly livened up the room, with people pouring drinks and offering cigarettes.
Usually, Katniss would also need to help him entertain and drink with the guests. Someone next to her tried to pour her a glass of whiskey, but a large hand stopped them.
"She has a leg injury and is on medication, so she can't drink," Tristan said, a cigarette dangling from his mouth, his half-closed eyes and loosened shirt making him look very tempting.
Tristan had spoken, so no one would give Katniss a hard time.
Everyone started toasting and chatting, and Tristan remained calm and clear-headed, keeping the conversation focused on the collaboration.
After a few rounds of drinks, the collaboration was almost finalized, just needing a time to sign the contract.
After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, they started playing other games.
Katniss noticed Tristan's eyes turning red, a sign of drinking too much, but he was still holding a can of beer, drinking while playing cards.
She was hesitating whether to remind him when Tristan suddenly put down his cards, gave up his seat, and walked over to her.
He sat right next to her, his long arm reaching across her back to grab her waist, causing her face to pale in fear.
Fortunately, the group was having fun, and she was sitting in a corner where no one noticed, but she still moved slightly.
Tristan leaned in and whispered in her ear, "I want you."
These words successfully disrupted Katniss's rationality.
"Let's go, pay the bill and go home," he said in a low, gentle tone, the smell of alcohol mixed with a faint scent of tobacco, his dreamy eyes reflecting Katniss's slightly confused expression.
Katniss took a deep breath, stood up, and helped Tristan out of the private room, telling the waiter to inform the others that they were leaving. Then she took Tristan into the elevator. As soon as the elevator doors closed, Tristan pressed her against the wall, raising her hands above her head, forcing her to look up, and his lips came down urgently and passionately.
In an instant, she felt the elevator space was very small, and even the slightest sound could be heard clearly.
Like his breathing and her heartbeat.
When the elevator doors opened, Tristan looked down at her, her eyes filled with allure, her lips red and swollen, and her cheeks unusually flushed.
He curled his lips, too familiar with her body, knowing she couldn't resist any of his purposeful actions.
Outside the elevator, footsteps were chaotic, and someone was coming. He quickly took off his coat and put it on her, holding her in his arms as they walked out of the elevator.
Katniss didn't struggle. After all, going out with her previous state would only fuel people's imaginations.
Outside the elevator, a few people were standing, staring as Tristan carried her away.
Before getting into the car, Katniss suddenly heard someone in the group say, "Was that Tristan just now? Was he carrying Bella?"