Pent house

Pent house
Trista’s POV

The moment my phone buzzed with an incoming message, I already knew who it was.
My hands trembled slightly as I gripped my phone.
The message stared back at me.
Chad: My office. Now.
Short. No explanation. Just a command.
Like he was just expecting me to do it without any argument.
My heart pounded.

Chad and I had been friends for a long time,years. He had always been my safe space, the
person I trusted without hesitation, someone i would always run to, But now… was he playing
me?
I didn’t want to believe it.
I couldn’t believe it.
It just didn’t seem like truth.
But the attack that just happen was was pointing to someone with inside knowledge of my
business. Someone who is close to me.
And Chad was the only one too damn close.

I stared at the screen, my fingers tightening around the device. I hadn’t expected him to respond
so quickly—or so directly. I had expected mind games, manipulation, but this… it felt too simple.
Too easy.
A sinking feeling settled deep in my stomach.
Was this some sort of trap? Or was he simply trying to gauge my reaction?
I didn’t have enough time to dwell on it.
My phone dinged again.
Chad: please be fast about it.

I rolled my eyes, swallowing back the irritation creeping up my spine. He was already playing.
Already testing the waters.
Fine. He wanted to talk? I’d listen.
But one thing I wasn’t going to let him do was to manipulate me.
I grabbed my bag And my blazer, ready to leave, when my phone rang again.
Leonard.
I hesitated before answering.
“Hey.”
Where are you?” Leonard’s voice was deep, controlled—but there was this slight edge
underneath.
I swallowed.
“At my office.”

A pause.
“Are you okay Trista?”
Was I?
This was the first time we were talking after what happened with Chad at my office.
I forced out a breath.
“I will be.”
His voice was sharp, concerned.
“Trista, have you seen the news?”
A sigh slipped past my lips.
“Yeah. Emily showed me not too long ago”
Silence stretched on the line before he exhaled sharply.

“Are you really okay?”
No, I wasn’t. My entire world was spiraling, my name and hard work being dragged through the
mud, my company at risk. But I couldn’t afford to break. Not now.
“I’m handling it,
” I said
“I have a meeting that I have to be at soon. I’ll call you after the
“A meeting? With who?” His suspicion was instant.
Typical Leonard.
I hesitated. Telling him I was meeting Chad would only escalate things.
might have answers to my questions.
”
“Just someone who
“Trista…
”
“I have to go.
”
“Wait—
”
Dammit.
There was a warning in his voice now. He knew I was hiding something.
I shut my eyes because I didn’t want to lie.
But I couldn’t tell him the truth either.
“I have something to handle,
” I said carefully.
“With who?” He asked.
I exhaled sharply.

“Leonard, you know I don’t have time for all this—”
“Don’t do that Trista,
” he cut in, his voice colder now.
“Don’t brush me off.”
I clenched my jaw.
“Leonard—”
“Don’t you dare hang up on me, Trista.”
I squeezed my eyes shut.
“I’ll talk to you later.”
Then I ended the call.

I stood there for a moment, my breathing unsteady.
I hated this. Hated shutting him out when all he wanted was to help.
I had to hang up before he could press further.
Leonard was the last thing I needed clouding my judgment right now.
By the time I arrived at Chad’s office, my nerves were already frayed. His assistant barely
looked up before motioning toward his door.
“He has been expecting you.”
Of course he was.

I pushed the door open, stepping inside.
Chad was sitting behind his desk, the picture of ease—leaning back in his chair, fingers
steepled beneath his chin. His expression quite unreadable.
“Trista,” he greeted smoothly.
“Took you long enough.”
I ignored the comment, shutting the door behind me.
“Was it you Chad?”
He raised a brow.
“Was what me?”
I knew he wouldn’t admit it outrightedly.
I clenched my jaw.
“Don’t play this mimd games with me, Chad. You Definitely saw the news.”

He leaned forward, resting his arms on the desk.
more careful Trista.”
“Oh, I did. Quite the scandal. You should be
Anger bubbled inside me.
happen. Someone orchestrated this.”
“ Oh Cut the crap chad. You and I both know that all this didn’t just
His lips twitched, amusement flickering in his eyes.
“And you think that someone is me?”
I crossed my arms.
“I know it was you.”

He chuckled, shaking his head.
“You always did have a vivid imagination.”
I exhaled sharply, my patience thinning.
“You haven’t denied it either Chad”
Chad tilted his head, studying me.
“Maybe because I do love enjoy watching you squirm.”I stiffened.
It wasn’t a confession. But it wasn’t a denial either.
He was toying with me.
But he had underestimated me.
I inhaled deeply, schooling my expression.

“Fine. If you didn’t do it, then help me fix it.”
For the first time, something flickered in his gaze—hesitation.
It was brief, but I caught it.
And in that moment, I knew.
Chad had done this.
He was the mastermind behind this whole mess.
I just didn’t know why.
Why would he do that to me?
He recovered quickly, smirking.

“Help you? And what do I get back in return?”
I clenched my teeth.
“I’ll owe you one.”
His eyes darkened.
“Oh, sweetheart. You already owe me plenty.”
I ignored the weight of his words.
“Are you going to help me or not?”
He leaned back, dragging his gaze over me like a predator considering his prey.
could be persuaded.”
My stomach twisted. I knew what he meant.
I straightened, keeping my voice firm.
“I’m not playing your sick mind games, Chad.
”
A smirk.
“But you already are.
” He said.
Before I could respond, my phone buzzed on the desk between us.
Leonard. Again.
Chad’s gaze flicked to the screen, and his expression shifted instantly. The air in the room grew
heavier, thick with tension.
The amusement in his eyes vanished, replaced with something darker. Something dangerous.
“You’re still talking to him?” His voice was deceptively calm.
I didn’t answer.
The phone buzzed again.

Chad reached forward, snatching it off the desk. He turned the screen toward me, his grip
tightening.
“Leonard,
” he drawled.
“How predictable.
”
“Give it back,
” I said evenly.
He didn’t. Instead, he studied the screen, his jaw ticking.
shaking his head.
“Even now, when you’re here with me?”
“He’s calling again?” He scoffed,
Something about the way he said it made my skin prickle.
He tossed the phone back onto the desk.
came running to me instead of him for help?”
“Tell me Something, Trista. Does he know that you
I held his gaze.
“I don’t owe you any explanations.
”

Chad’s smirk widened.
“He is quite persistent, isn’t he?”
I yanked the phone away.
“Mind your own damn business Chad.
”
He clicked his tongue.
“Should I be jealous?” He said in a mock tone.
I glared at him.
“We both know that I don’t have time for this, Chad.
”
He exhaled, shaking his head.
“You used to trust me a lot , Trista.
”
The way he said it—
like I had betrayed him not the other way round—
made my skin crawl.
He smirked.
“Anyways,you do owe me, so I’m considering helping.
”
I inhaled sharply.
“So you’ll help?”
He leaned closer, the space between us shrinking. His fingers reached out, brushing against
mine—just a fleeting touch. Testing.
I pulled away instantly.
His smirk faltered.
A flicker of irritation flashed across his face before he masked it with amusement.
hard to get Trista?”
“Still playing
“I’m not playing anything,
” I said coolly.
His eyes darkened.
“What a shame. You used to be so much fun.
”
I scoffed.
“No, I used to be stupid.
”
Chad chuckled, shaking his head.
“You wound me bad.
”
“I doubt that.
” I retorted.
His amusement faded.
“Fine,
” he said after a pause.
“I’ll help you.
”
I didn’t trust him. Not for a second.
But I needed answers.
“Good,
” I said.
“I’ll be waiting for your plan.
”
His lips curled into something unreadable.
too long.
”
“Oh, don’t worry, sweetheart. You won’t have to wait
I gave him a tight smile.
“That would be nice.
”
I turned to leave, but he caught my wrist.
Not too hard. Not aggressive. Just enough to make me stop.
I tensed.
He leaned in slightly, his voice lower now. Silkier.
I met his gaze, forcing myself to look him in the eye.
Then I pulled my hand away.
“I know exactly what I can count on, Chad.
”
And with that, I walked out of his office.
Later that night, as I sat in my apartment, my phone buzzed again.
Chad: Meet me at my penthouse. I have a plan for us.
Well that was so fast.
I stared at the message, unease curling in my stomach.
Whatever game Chad was playing…
I was undoubtedly ready to take him on.
“You know you can count on me, right?”