I glanced at my watch. 3:59 PM.
Time to head to the small meeting room Daniel had booked.
All the people working in the lab didn't have a specific office. As most lab people moved their laptops either to the lab, or going to the meeting room.
By the time I sat down, the door opened. The knot in my stomach tightened.
“Scared?” He smirked, tapping my shoulder lightly as he walked in.
I shook my head, though the lie felt obvious.
“I just want to check in. See how the first week’s been,” he said, settling into his chair. His voice was calm, slipping back into the same emotionless tone he used during the interview. It still made me sit straighter.
“It’s been good,” I replied quickly. “Eva’s been really helpful. And Liam, too.”
Daniel gave a small nod, like he already knew the answer. “Good to hear. The feedback from them about you was positive. Keep it up.”
My stomach flipped. He’d already gotten feedback? I hadn’t even noticed.
Of course I didn’t.
I tried to act unfazed, but the truth was hard to ignore—everyone around me seemed so much more experienced. Eva, Liam, Olivia… they all carried themselves like they’d been doing this forever. Olivia’s experiments weren’t even in the same area as Liam’s, but she tackled troubleshooting like it was second nature.
I wasn’t sure I could ever look that confident.
Daniel’s gaze flicked toward me, his pen tapping lightly against the desk.
“You know,” he said, almost reading my mind, “you are still such young. you don’t have to know everything right now. If you’re not sure, just ask.”
I exhaled quietly, grateful I didn’t have to explain the spiral of doubt running through my head. But why he was acting like he was already old? I was sure he was not older than 30.
“I will,” I replied. “There’s a lot to learn.”
Daniel raised an eyebrow. “Good.”
A brief silence hung between us, until he tilted his head slightly.
“So, what about you?”
I blinked. “What about me?”
He shrugged. “You seem a little on edge. I noticed earlier.”
My grip on the chair tightened. He noticed?
“Oh. It’s nothing. Just some family stuff.” I kept my tone even, brushing it off like it didn’t matter. There was no easy way to explain it.
Daniel didn’t press, but his eyes lingered for a second longer than I expected.
“Alright,” he said eventually, shifting his focus. “Let me know if you need anything. For now, just keep shadowing Eva and Liam. I’ll check in again in a few weeks.”
I nodded, standing quickly—maybe too quickly.
I was already reaching for the door when his voice stopped me.
“And Maggie,” he added, like it was an afterthought, “don’t stress too much. You won’t get fired.”
I turned, catching the faint smirk tugging at his lips.
Was that supposed to be reassuring or just part of his dry humor?
“Okay,” I mumbled. “Good to know.”
As I left the room, the door clicked shut behind me, but my heart kept thudding in my ears.
The hum of the centrifuge faded into the background as I sent the data file on my laptop. The numbers blurred slightly, but I kept my eyes glued to the screen. It was easier to focus on the test results than the tightness in my chest that had been lingering all morning.But I couldn’t ignore it forever.I glanced at my phone, face down next to the pipette rack. I hadn’t checked it since lunch, and for good reason.Still, I flipped it over.3 missed calls – MumMy stomach twisted. I tapped the screen, scrolling the message waiting with the missed calls."You’re avoiding me. Don’t forget what today is."I didn’t need the reminder. I knew exactly what today was. How could I forget?Four years.“You were supposed to pick his call.”I closed the message, locking the screen before the memory could drag me under.Eva’s voice broke through the fog.“Hey, we are going to the kitchen for a coffee break. You want to join?” She lingered at the bench next to mine.I forced a smile. “I’ll catch up
I walked to the main office area. People were either staring at their laptop screen and quickly typing, or having their earphones on them, attending meetings. Eva was one of them. Unlike Liam and me, she was senior enough to have meetings every day.Then finally I saw Daniel. He was sitting just in front of Eva, running a coding software on his laptop. I carefully moved next to him.The weight from my mother’s call still sat in my chest. But at this point I was trying my best to hold it.Daniel didn’t look up immediately, but he'd already felt my existence. He was quickly coding, eyes fixed on the screen.“Give me a second,” he said, his tone clipped but not unfriendly.I stood awkwardly, shifting my weight from one foot to the other, until he finally moved his eyes away from his laptop and turned toward me."Sit." He said, grabbing a chair for me, emotionlessly. He gently moved his laptop closer to me, making sure I could see his screen. It's a lab report entry created under my name
The apartment smelled of tea and cookies as I walked through the door. I didn’t realize how tense my shoulders were until I stepped inside and let the door click shut behind me. Compared to the frozen weather outside, stepping inside felt like heaven.I sighed, long and heavy.“Hey, you’re home early,” Claire’s voice drifted from the kitchen.I set my bag down by the door and followed the scent of tea. Claire sat cross-legged on the countertop, stirring milk into a steaming mug.“It’s Friday,” I replied, leaning against the doorframe.She grinned, handing me a cup. “I know you—tea with lots of milk, no sugar.” Claire had this way of anticipating things—like she could read people without them saying a word.I took a sip, feeling the warmth settle in my chest."you are the first person I know who adds most milk in the tea." she said softly, hopping down from the counter, "you look like you need it."I raised an eyebrow. “Is that your polite way of telling me I look terrible?”“I didn't
The bar was louder than I expected for a Saturday night. Warm lights hung low over the booths, with faint music hummed in the background and people's loud laugh everywhere. Claire led the way, weaving between tables until she found a small high-top near the window.“Alright, drinks first. Then we can complain about work,” she said with a grin, sliding onto the barstool.I sank into the seat opposite her, letting out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. The weight of the week was finally catching up to me, but for the first time in days, I felt like I could breathe. No lab reports. No Olivia. No Daniel’s sharp comments about typos.Claire flagged down the bartender and leaned in. “A cider please, and...one double whiskey, with lemonade.” She glanced at me with a smirk. “You have whiskey every time. We’re celebrating you surviving another week of your job.”I laughed, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “You make it sound like I barely made it out alive.”“Well, you did l
The lab felt louder than usual. Maybe it was just the contrast to the quiet of the weekend—or maybe I was imagining things.I slipped through the main entrance, my eyes drifting toward the office area—the seat that Daniel usually sat. Empty. I let out a breath, adjusting the strap of my bag over my shoulder.Okay. No weird eye contact today. It’s just Monday.I made my way to the locker, dumping my bag. Too little sleep and too much overthinking from the night before settling in my chest.It was fine. Saturday had just been one of those awkward moments. Daniel probably didn’t even think about it.As I walked from the locker area back to the kitchen, I heard footsteps—and laughter—from down the entrance.I turned my head slightly.There they were.Daniel and Eva, walking in together.I blinked. Did they… come in together?Eva tucked her hair behind her ear as she spoke, leaning in just a little closer to Daniel. Whatever she said made him smile. Not his usual polite nod, but a real, ea
Daniel hated these dinners.The wine was expensive, the conversation predictable, and his father’s expectations clung to him like a second skin he couldn’t shed.Seated at the far end of the long dining table, he watched his father swirl his glass with slow, deliberate precision. Across from him, Lauren sat with perfect posture, her eyes fixed on Mark as he spoke, as if she were his daughter. She handed him his glasses without being asked and wiped the spill from his sleeve before he even noticed.Mark lifted his glass and toasted with her.She always fit seamlessly into these dinners—like she belonged here.Daniel wasn’t sure how he felt about that.“Daniel,” Mark’s voice cut through polite conversation. “I spoke with Michael Goodwin last week. He’s expanding operations in London. I suggested you as the perfect candidate to oversee things.”Daniel set his fork down quietly, breathing heavily.“I’m not leaving the lab,” he said evenly.Across the table, Mark’s gaze narrowed, and Danie
The venue was smaller than I expected—warm lights, soft holiday music humming in the background, and little clusters of coworkers laughing over drinks. It felt… intimate. Too intimate.It’s the best Friday evening. Everyone looked pretty chilled and excited. Me and Liam just took the coach arranged by the company to arrive there. There were still a few people who was on their way, driving their own vehicles. These included Daniel.I couldn’t stop thinking about the moment when I was talking to Eva half an hour ago. Daniel was sitting there sending an order to a one of our suppliers. He suddenly turned to me and asked if I was going to the party.“You’ll enjoy it,” Liam said, nudging my arm as we stepped inside. “Stay with me. I won’t let you end up talking to unfamiliar people all night.”I smirked. “Appreciate your rescue in advance.”Across the room, Eva and Olivia were already at the center of everything, effortlessly floating between conversations, with their Christmas hats on. Ev
The café Liam dragged me to was tucked away down one of those narrow side streets I usually walked right past. I must’ve passed it a dozen times without even noticing. From the outside, it didn’t look like much—just a faded sign above the door and a small window fogged by the cold.But inside, the place felt warmer than I expected. Mismatched chairs and worn wooden tables filled the space, giving it that cozy, local feel that big chains could never quite pull off. A few people lingered by the counter, chatting softly while the faint hum of an old jazz record drifted from a speaker near the window.This is definitely one of Liam’s spots.He slid into the seat across from me, dropping into the chair like he’d been here a hundred times before. In one smooth motion, he pushed a cup of coffee across the table.“Flat white. You need it.”I smirked, wrapping my hands around the cup. “Thanks. Are you trying to cure my hangover or something?”Liam grinned. “It’s damage control. Let’s not prete
The call came early, just as I was getting ready to leave for work. My phone buzzed on the counter, and I hesitated before answering. The familiar number flashed on the screen—my mother. I braced myself, pressing the phone to my ear. “Mum.” Her voice was warm at first, the usual pleasantries exchanged. But it didn’t take long for the conversation to shift. “Maggie, when are you coming home?” she asked, her tone slipping into that familiar mix of concern and insistence. I sighed. “I don’t know, Mum. Work’s been busy. I can’t just leave.” “Busy? Too busy to think about your future? You’re not getting any younger, Maggie. Do you remember James? His mother told me he’s single again. It’d be good for you to meet him when you’re back.” My stomach sank. “Mum, I’m not coming home to get married. I’m focused on my career right now.” At the same time, Daniel’s face came to my mind before I even realized. She made a disapproving noise. “Your career won’t keep you warm at night. Y
The morning started like any other. I tried to lose myself in the routine of setting up experiments, focusing on the samples in front of me. But it was impossible to ignore the tension still lingering from the past few days. My mind replayed fragments of conversations I’d overheard and the heavy silence that followed Daniel’s defense of me. I thought I could escape it for a while. That was until I saw her.The woman in the pub I saw last time. She was waiting for me near the lift on the ground floor when I went to go downstairs grab a quick coffee. Her polished appearance and cool smile immediately set me on edge. She wasn’t supposed to be here. "You must be Maggie," she greeted, her tone was too sweet to feel genuine. "Do you have a moment?" I hesitated, my instincts screaming at me to walk away. But I forced a polite smile and nodded. "Of course." Lauren gestured to a quieter corner of the corridor, away from the lift. "My name is Lauren. I just wanted to have a quick word, wo
Daniel stood outside his father’s office, staring at the polished oak door. His fist hovered for a moment before he finally knocked.“Come in,” Mark’s voice called, deep and commanding.Daniel pushed the door open, stepping into the large office. The walls were lined with shelves of awards and business accolades. His father sat behind the massive mahogany desk, reviewing documents. Lauren sat elegantly in one of the chairs opposite him, legs crossed, a glass of wine balanced perfectly in her hand.Mark glanced up. “Daniel. To what do I owe this visit?”Daniel shut the door behind him, his posture tense. “We need to talk.”Lauren’s eyes flicked to Daniel, her expression carefully neutral, but her grip on the glass tightened ever so slightly.Mark leaned back in his chair, folding his hands. “Go on.”Daniel didn’t waste time. “I’m not interested in taking over the company. I’ve told you that before, and I’m saying it again. I have no intention of leaving the lab.”Mark’s face remained i
The lab was silent except for the steady hum of the machines. It was late—much later than I should've stayed. But the work needed to be finished, and the stillness made it easier to focus. At least, that was what I told myself.I didn’t realize Daniel was still here until I heard the faint shuffle of papers across the room. I glanced up, startled to see him at his desk, sleeves rolled up, leaning over a set of reports. The dim overhead light cast shadows along his sharp features, making him seem even more distant—and yet, not at all.Why was he still here?He noticed me staring.“Still here?” he turned to me and asked, his tone quieter than usual, even….a little bit emotional, lacking its usual authority.I quickly looked away, focusing on the samples in front of me.“Yeah. Just finishing up some things.”Daniel closed the folder he was reading and leaned back in his chair. For a moment, he said nothing, only watching me.“You work too hard,” he said finally, his voice softer—almost c
The lab was almost unrecognizable at night. The usual chatter and clinking of glassware were replaced by the steady hum of machines and the occasional beep of equipment completing a cycle. I stayed late, hoping the quiet would help me focus, but the tension from yesterday still weighed on me.I carefully packed up the last set of samples, but as I reached for my bag, I heard faint voices drifting from the hallway.Eva and Olivia.I paused, instinctively staying quiet. Their voices were hushed but carried just enough to be understood."Lauren won’t tolerate this much longer," Olivia’s voice cut through the stillness, sharp and bitter. "Daniel humiliated me. For her. He never spoke to me like that. Never ever.”Eva’s tone was calmer but edged with warning. "Liv, you’re reading too much into this. Daniel is professional. He’s not the type to get personally involved."Olivia let out a cold laugh. "Oh, please. Did you see how quickly he shut me down? That wasn’t just professionalism. He’s
Daniel sat in the meeting room alone, flipping through a stack of reports, though his mind wasn’t fully on them. The lab’s tension that morning still lingered in his thoughts, and Maggie—the way Olivia had spoken to her—kept creeping back. He rubbed his temple, exhaling slowly.The door creaked open without a knock. Lauren stepped inside, closing it softly behind her. She moved with that deliberate grace of hers, each step measured.Daniel didn’t look up. "Something you need?"Lauren’s heels clicked against the floor as she approached his desk. She didn’t sit. "I spoke with Olivia. She seemed... upset."Daniel narrowed his eyes. He did know Olivia was quite close to Lauren, but he thought they were just like normal besties, hanging out to the cafe, going to the concert together. But now it seemed like his personal life was getting mixed with his work life.Daniel finally lifted his gaze, unimpressed. "Olivia needs to focus on her work. That’s it.”Lauren’s smile was thin, controlled.
The lab was unusually tense that morning. I could feel it----the way conversations dropped when I entered, the sidelong glances, and the hushed whispers that evaporated the moment I got close. The hum of machines seemed louder than usual, filling the gaps left by conversations that died out as I approached.It wasn’t this bad last week.Was it because of me?I shook the thought off. I didn’t have time to dwell on it; over 20 samples waited to be screened on the chip this morning. I offered Liam a small, tight-lipped smile as I passed by.“Morning,” I muttered, pulling open the freezer door.Liam gave me a quick nod but said nothing.The chill from the freezer bit at my skin as I reached for the samples, but it was nothing compared to the cold atmosphere hanging in the room.Then Olivia’s voice sliced through it.“Daniel must be feeling generous,” she said, her tone smooth but laced with something sharper. She leaned casually against the workbench, arms crossed, eyes fixed on me. “Letti
The café hummed with soft conversation and the faint clinking of cutlery against porcelain. Olivia slid into the seat across from Lauren, shaking the drizzle off her coat.“Sorry I’m late,” Olivia said, brushing her hair behind her ear. “Got caught up at the lab.”Lauren set her phone aside, flashing a faint smile. “Eva keeping you busy?”“More like Maggie.” Olivia’s tone carried just enough weight to make Lauren pause mid-stir of her tea.Lauren’s gaze lifted, sharp but curious. “Maggie?”Olivia leaned back in her chair, swirling the tea absentmindedly. “She’s been catching Daniel’s attention. Malcolm mentioned her too. Apparently, she’s quite sharp.”Lauren’s hand didn’t stop moving, but the rhythm of her stirring slowed.“Daniel notices everyone when they start,” Lauren said smoothly. “It’s part of his job.”“Maybe,” Olivia said, her eyes flicking toward Lauren. “But I haven’t seen him this invested in a while.”Lauren’s mask of composure remained, but Olivia wasn’t finished.“Oh,”
The lab felt quieter after dark.Most nights, Daniel didn’t mind. The hum of equipment, the sharp scent of sterilized surfaces, and the faint glow of monitors brought him a rare sense of peace.Here, things made sense. Data lined up, experiments followed rules, and the work had tangible results. There were no politics, no expectations he didn’t choose.Still, his focus drifted.His eyes wandered toward the far end of the room, where Maggie’s station sat, a half-empty mug and an open notebook left behind.He frowned. She left that out.It wasn’t significant. But he noticed anyway.The soft click of the lab door broke the silence.Andrew strolled in, wearing his usual grin, hands shoved into his jacket pockets like he owned the place.“Figured you’d still be here,” Andrew said, glancing around the lab. “Some things never change.”Daniel didn’t look up. “You shouldn’t be wandering in here.”Andrew ignored the warning, plopping down on one of the stools. “Come on. I used to live in this l