Elena
Everything felt off the moment I stepped into the office.
First, my assistant nervously avoided eye contact. Then, whispers followed me as I walked to my desk. Something was brewing. Something I wasn't told.
When I opened my email, my heart nearly stopped.
"To Whom It May Concern,
Please find attached compromising footage of Elena Ryes and her boss, Zayden wolfe, in multiple inappropriate situations."
Attached were doctored security camera clips—clearly edited to look intimate, damning. Scenes from the rooftop. The elevator. Even that one night we'd kissed near the copy room.
All fake.
I sprinted to Zayden's office.
He was already on the phone, barking at the IT team, eyes blazing. "I want the source traced. Now. This is a breach."
When he saw me, his tone softened. "Don't worry. I won't let anyone touch you."
But I was already spiraling.
"Who would do this?" I whispered.
That night, I got my answer.
---
Celeste
Zayden wouldn't come near me. Wouldn't answer my messages. Wouldn't give me the time of day.
So I gave the world something juicier.
Let the public believe he was distracted by some little employee girl. Let them think he was unprofessional.
Let the board question his judgment.
All I needed was a nudge. One file. One USB. One email blast.
And a visit to the hospital board, where I requested a psychiatric evaluation for Elena —under the pretense of concern for her "recent fainting episodes."
Let's see if Zayden could still protect her when the hospital began questioning her mental fitness.
---
Noah
I'd told Elena I didn't want anything.
But that was a lie.
When I heard the rumors—when I saw those fake videos—I knew this was my opening.
"Elena," I said gently as I sat beside her outside the building. She looked pale, drained. "Come with me. Just for a while. You need space."
"I don't know who to trust anymore," she whispered.
"I've always been here," I said. "Zayden keeps dragging you into chaos. I wouldn't do that to you."
And for a moment…she almost leaned in.
---
Zayden
I got to the office elevator too late.
The doors had just closed. Elena was inside.
Except… she never came out.
Fifteen minutes passed. No signal. No movement. No response.
Panic surged.
"Shut it down!" I yelled. "Where the hell is she?"
It wasn't just a glitch.
She was locked in.
And the last person seen on the camera before the feed mysteriously cut out?
Celeste.
---
Elena
The air was thick.
The elevator lights had gone out. My phone had no signal. I was sweating, heart pounding.
At first, I tried to stay calm.
Then the minutes dragged on. Thirty… forty…
Panic clawed at my throat. My chest tightened.
"Zayden…" I whispered, even though no one could hear me. "Please."
My knees buckled.
And everything went black.
---