The next week unfolded with palpable tension in the air as
Victoria's suspicions grew. Pamela could sense it during their interactions at
the office—Victoria's lingering glances and tight-lipped smiles when she passed
by. It was as if an invisible wall had gone up, thickening the atmosphere
around them.
One afternoon, as Pamela was organizing files in her office,
she heard a knock on her door. Turning, she was surprised to see Victoria
standing there, her expression unreadable.
"Can we talk?" Victoria asked, her tone firm.
"Of course, ma," Pamela replied, trying to mask her unease.
"Come in."
Victoria stepped inside, closing the door behind her. "I
wanted to address something that's been bothering me."
Pamela's heart raced. "Sure, what's on your mind?"
"It's about you and Alexander," Victoria said, crossing her
arms. "I've noticed how much time you two spend together. It's… concerning."
Pamela felt a flush creep up her cheeks. "We're just working
on projects together. It's strictly professional."
"Is it?" Victoria challenged, her gaze piercing. "Because it
doesn't look that way from where I stand. You seem very close."
"We are close in a professional sense," Pamela replied,
trying to remain calm. "I promise you, there's nothing going on between us."
Victoria stepped closer, her voice low and intense. "You
need to understand something. Alexander and I have a history. I care about him,
and I won't let anyone come between us."
Pamela swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the
confrontation. "I respect your relationship, but I can't control how we work
together. I'm not trying to come between you."
"Maybe not intentionally," Victoria said, her tone softening
slightly. "But your presence is affecting him. He's been different lately."
"Different how?" Pamela asked, genuinely curious.
"More distracted, less focused," Victoria replied,
frustration creeping into her voice. "I don't want to see him hurt again. He's
been through a lot."
Pamela hesitated, her heart aching at the thought of causing
any distress for Alexander. "I care about my work and his leadership. I'm not
trying to interfere."
Victoria studied her for a moment, as if weighing her
sincerity. "I just want you to be aware of the situation. If it comes down to a
choice, I hope you'll consider stepping back."
Pamela felt a surge of determination. "I'm not trying to
take his place, ma. I'm here to do my job."
"I hope that's all it is," Victoria said, her voice tense
but softer now. "Because I won't hesitate to protect what we have."
With that, Victoria turned and walked out, leaving Pamela
feeling shaken. The confrontation had been intense, and while she understood
Victoria's protectiveness, she couldn't shake the feeling that their
relationship was becoming more complicated.
Later that evening, Pamela sat in her apartment, replaying
the conversation in her mind. She had a choice to make: continue pursuing her
role and connection with Alexander, or step back to avoid further conflict.
Just then, her phone buzzed with a message from Alexander.
**Can we talk later? I need to discuss something important.**
Pamela took a deep breath, torn between her feelings for him
and the reality of the situation. She knew they needed to address the growing
tensions, both with Victoria and between themselves.
As she stared out at the rain-soaked streets of Paris, she
realized that the path ahead would not be easy. But one thing was clear: she
couldn't ignore what was developing between her and Alexander any longer.