Always acting so pure
The dinner with Dora, Sienna, and Douglas was an unusual one. Dora, who was usually careful about her eating habits, devoured her food like she hadn’t eaten in days. Sienna and Douglas exchanged glances, surprised by her sudden change in appetite. Dora’s sadness was palpable, and by the end of the meal, Sienna volunteered to stay at Dora’s place for the night. She didn’t want her friend to be alone in such a low state.
The next morning, however, Dora seemed like a completely different person. Her mood was refreshed, and she greeted everyone with a bright smile. “I just needed a good night’s sleep,” she explained to Sienna. “The stress from the presentation was overwhelming, but I feel much better now.”
Sienna was relieved to see Dora so cheerful, though she couldn’t help but feel a little concerned. Dora’s happiness seemed almost too sudden, too forced. But Sienna decided to let it go, thinking it was good for Dora to move on and start fresh. After all, Dora had been through a lot recently, and if she was choosing to focus on the positive, who was Sienna to question it?
One of the reasons for Dora’s improved mood was the absence of Austin, her boss, who had been a constant source of stress for her. The day went exceptionally well for Dora, except for the occasional harsh comments she overheard from her colleagues. Whispers followed her wherever she went:
“Who wouldn’t try to seduce a handsome boss like him? She’s not special. Always acting so pure, but look at her now.”
“She’s no match for Austin. He’s tall, handsome, and successful. She’s just… ordinary.”
Dora chose to ignore the comments, though they stung. She focused on her work, determined not to let the negativity drag her down. When Sienna tried to confront her about the rumors, Dora simply smiled and said, “They don’t matter to me. You guys are enough for me.”
Her patience paid off. A few days later, Dora was praised by senior management for her outstanding presentation. The following week, her promotion to manager was officially announced. It was a moment of triumph for Dora, but not everyone was happy for her.
“Of course, she used other means to get her promotion,” someone muttered.
“No wonder she got promoted so quickly. She’s only been here for two years.”
The comments hurt, but Dora remembered the advice Douglas had given her: Don’t look at yourself through someone else’s eyes. If you can’t respect yourself, how can you expect others to respect you? She realized that the core reason for the hate was jealousy. Instead of letting it get to her, she smiled at her detractors, which only seemed to irritate them more.
Seeing their flushed faces, Dora stifled a giggle and called her father to share the good news. “I am so proud of my girl,” James said, his voice filled with pride.
“I told you, Dad, it’s time for me to rise,” Dora replied, walking down the office corridor. In the background, she could hear her sister Fiona yelling congratulations. An idea popped into her head.
“Dad, put the phone on speaker,” Dora said suddenly. Once she heard the click, she shouted, “Hey Fiona! Dad loves me more than you!” Before Fiona could retaliate, James quickly disconnected the call. Dora laughed at her father’s childish act, but her laughter died when she turned a corner and found Austin standing in front of her.
Her smile vanished, replaced by a look of scorn. She tried to walk past him, but he stopped her. “Congratulations,” he said in his usual monotone.
“Thanks,” Dora replied curtly, not bothering to hide her disdain. She walked away, leaving Austin standing there, his expression unreadable.
Later that morning, Dora turned to Sienna and asked, “What are we going to have for lunch?”
Sienna rolled her eyes. “It’s only 11 in the morning, Dora.”
“Well, I skipped breakfast. You can’t blame me,” Dora said, making a puppy face.
“Fine,” Sienna relented. “Let’s go to the pantry and see if we can find you some snacks.”
Dora beamed, but her happiness was short-lived. She was soon called into a meeting with her new boss. To her dismay, she discovered that she would now be reporting directly to Austin. Earlier, she had reported to Nathan, but the promotion had changed everything.
“Welcome on board, Ms. Nur, and congratulations on your new role,” Austin said, his tone as flat as ever.
“Thank you,” Dora replied, trying to keep her voice neutral. She was about to ask about her new responsibilities when her eyes landed on a plate of muffins sitting on Austin’s desk. Her stomach growled, and she couldn’t help but stare.
“Ms. Nur?” Austin’s voice snapped her out of her trance.
“If you’re not eating those, can I have one?” Dora asked abruptly, surprising even herself.
Austin raised an eyebrow but nodded. “They’re all yours.”
Without hesitation, Dora grabbed a muffin and took a big bite. She moaned involuntarily, savoring the taste. Austin flinched, clearly caught off guard. Dora didn’t notice his reaction; she was too busy enjoying the muffin. She licked the crumbs off her fingers and wiped her lips with her tongue, completely unaware of the effect she was having on Austin.
Another loud moan escaped her lips, and Austin shifted uncomfortably in his chair. He tried to focus on the paperwork in front of him, but his attention kept drifting back to Dora. Her every movement seemed to amplify the tension in the room.
Finally, Dora opened her eyes and realized how quiet the room had become. She looked at Austin, who was staring at her with an intensity she couldn’t quite place. “I’m sorry,” she said, still licking her lips. “I missed breakfast and couldn’t help myself.”
Austin cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. “It’s fine,” he said, though his voice was slightly strained. “Now, about your new responsibilities…”
Dora nodded, trying to focus, but her mind was still on the muffins, and the strange look in Austin’s eyes. She had a feeling this new role was going to be more complicated than she’d anticipated.
"You can carry on; Nathan will train you further," he said, his voice steady but his mind racing. He dismissed her, turning sharply and heading straight for the restroom. Behind the closed door, his hands gripped the sink, knuckles white. He couldn’t stop thinking about the sound of her moan, soft, unexpected, dangerously enticing. His body reacted in a way that shocked him, a heat rising from within. Images of her delicate frame beneath him flashed through his mind. He bit his lip, eyes squeezed shut, and after what felt like an eternity, his release came, sharp and overwhelming.
"What the hell is wrong with me?" he hissed, staring at his reflection. His dark eyes, clouded with desire moments ago, now held a flicker of guilt.
Dora's life had become a whirlwind. Days blurred into nights, the relentless workload weighing her down. Exhaustion clung to her, leaving little time for herself, let alone for Douglas and Sienna. Early mornings at the office became a habit, and late evenings a routine. Some nights, sleep overtook her at her desk, and each time she awoke, a cup of warm tea mysteriously awaited her. She never knew who left it, but the small kindness kept her going.
"Yes, Dad, I’m fine," Dora yawned, phone pressed between her shoulder and ear as she packed her things. "Work has just been a bit much lately."
Her father’s concern buzzed in her ear, but she forced a smile. "I’m leaving now. I’ll call you tomorrow."
As the call ended, a sudden wave of dizziness hit her. She steadied herself against the wall, vision swimming.
"Ms. Nur?"
She didn’t need to look up. "Mr. Jess, do you need something?" she asked softly, eyes closed as she fought the faintness.
Austin's brows furrowed. "Are you okay? You look pale."
That simple question broke something in her. Tears streamed down her face. "No, I’m not okay," she whispered, voice cracking. "I’m not sleeping well, I’m not eating right, and I miss my mum and dad."
Her mind screamed at her to stop crying in front of him, but the tears wouldn’t stop.
Austin rubbed the back of his neck. "Uh… do you want to grab a late dinner?"
Dora blinked through her tears. "Yes," she whispered.
He had expected her to brush him off, not agree so quickly. "Are you sure?"
"I just want to eat something," she sniffled.
The car ride to a quiet diner was silent. Dora ordered ice cream and ate it with an intensity that made Austin raise a brow.
"Ice cream for dinner?" he muttered, watching her devour each bite.
He hadn’t expected this, her sulking over a bowl of ice cream with tear-streaked cheeks. When he noticed her stealing glances at his dessert, he wordlessly pushed it toward her. She didn’t thank him, just dug her spoon into it.
By the time the bill was paid, Dora’s head lolled to the side in the car. Austin realized she had fallen asleep, her soft snores filling the quiet space. His first thought was to take her to Sienna’s, but his gaze drifted to her parted lips and peaceful expression. Without fully understanding why, he drove to his apartment.
She didn’t stir, even when he carried her to his bedroom. His usually cold apartment felt warmer with her there.
He stood at the foot of the bed, watching her sleep, the rise and fall of her chest, the faint furrow in her brow. Everything about her tugged at a part of him he thought was long buried.
Paulina's words echoed in his mind. He had come back for Dora. The two years without her had been suffocating. Moving back from the U.S. hadn’t been a career choice, it was a desperate attempt to be near her again.
Dragging himself to the shower, Austin let the cold water run over him, hoping it would quell the heat still simmering beneath his skin. Even now, with her just feet away, his desire clawed at him.
Dressed in a loose shirt and sweatpants, he stood at the edge of the bed again, debating whether to sleep on the couch. But a quiet voice in his mind reminded him, she’s your wife. There was no reason to stay away.
Slowly, he slid into bed beside her, careful not to wake her. As soon as he settled, Dora shifted, half-asleep, wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her face in his chest.
Austin froze, his heart pounding. Then, a small smile crept onto his lips, the first genuine smile in years.
For the first time in so long, he felt at home.
He kissed her forehead gently and pulled her closer, letting sleep finally claim him.
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