Chapter: Jealous Eyes
The office had returned to its usual quiet rhythm by the time the afternoon sun began to fade behind the tall buildings outside. Papers shuffled, keyboards clicked, and quiet conversations floated through the air.
But not everyone in the building was focused on work.
Sheila stepped out of the elevator with slow, confident steps. Her eyes moved calmly around the office as if she already knew exactly what she was looking for.
She had heard enough rumors during the past few days.
Rumors about Vincent.
And Anna.
A small smile appeared on her lips as she walked forward.
At the far end of the room, Vincent was standing near his desk, flipping through a file. His expression looked serious as always, completely focused on his work.
Sheila watched him for a moment.
Three years.
Three years had passed since their relationship ended, but she still knew him better than most people.
Or at least she believed she did.
"Vincent."
Her voice broke the quiet atmosphere.
Vincent looked up immediately. The moment his eyes landed on her, his eyebrows pulled together in mild surprise.
"Sheila?"
She walked closer, her heels clicking softly against the floor.
"Were you expecting someone else?" she asked with a faint smile.
Vincent closed the file in his hands.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"I came to see you," she replied simply.
Vincent glanced briefly around the office. A few employees were pretending not to look, though it was obvious they were listening.
He sighed slightly.
"Come to my office," he said.
Sheila smiled again, clearly satisfied, and followed him.
Once inside, Vincent closed the door behind them.
"So," he said, turning to face her, "what's this about?"
Sheila leaned casually against the edge of his desk.
"I wanted to talk about Anna."
Vincent froze slightly.
His reaction didn't go unnoticed.
Sheila crossed her arms, her smile widening.
"You look surprised," she said.
Vincent frowned.
"What about Anna?"
Sheila tilted her head slightly.
"Oh, come on, Vincent," she said calmly. "You don't have to pretend with me."
Vincent's expression hardened slightly.
"I'm not pretending."
Sheila let out a small laugh.
"Yes, you are."
She straightened up and looked directly into his eyes.
"I know your relationship with Anna is fake."
For a moment, the room became completely silent.
Vincent stared at her.
"How do you know that?" he asked slowly.
Sheila shrugged.
"You forget who you're talking to," she said. "I know how you think. I know how you act."
She walked a few steps around the office as she continued speaking.
"You and Anna suddenly becoming a couple?" she said. "It never made sense."
Vincent remained quiet, watching her carefully.
"So I paid attention," she continued. "And the more I watched, the more obvious it became."
She stopped and turned to face him again.
"You two are pretending."
Vincent exhaled slowly.
He hadn't expected anyone to figure it out so quickly.
"And?" he said.
Sheila raised an eyebrow.
"And?" she repeated. "That's all you have to say?"
Vincent leaned back against his desk.
"What exactly do you want from me, Sheila?"
She studied him for a moment before asking the question that had been on her mind.
"So tell me the truth."
Vincent said nothing.
"Is it still fake?" she asked. "Or have you started developing real feelings for her?"
Vincent immediately shook his head.
"It's fake."
Sheila watched him closely, trying to read his expression.
"You're sure about that?" she pressed.
"Yes."
She crossed her arms again, clearly thinking.
Then her voice softened slightly.
"Vincent… I need to tell you something."
Vincent frowned.
"What?"
She took a small step closer.
"I still love you."
The words hung in the air between them.
Vincent's expression didn't change much, but there was a small pause before he answered.
"Sheila…"
"I mean it," she continued quickly. "I know things didn't end well between us, but people make mistakes."
Vincent looked away for a moment before speaking.
"That was a long time ago."
"Three years isn't that long," she said.
Vincent sighed.
"It is when you've moved on."
Her expression slowly changed.
"What do you mean?"
Vincent looked directly at her now.
"I don't love you anymore, Sheila."
The words were calm but firm.
Sheila's face went still.
For a moment, she looked as if she hadn't heard him correctly.
"You're joking," she said quietly.
Vincent didn't respond.
Realization slowly spread across her face.
"You're serious."
"Yes."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Is it because of Anna?" she asked.
Vincent frowned.
"This isn't about her."
Sheila laughed bitterly.
"Oh, it definitely is."
She began pacing slowly across the office.
"So let me understand this," she said. "You don't love me anymore… but you're pretending to date her."
Vincent remained silent.
Sheila stopped walking and looked at him again.
"Funny," she said. "Because the way you look at her doesn't seem very fake."
Vincent's jaw tightened slightly.
"You're imagining things."
"Am I?" she challenged.
The anger in her eyes was growing now.
"Do you know how ridiculous this is?" she continued. "You're pushing me away for a girl who isn't even really your girlfriend."
Vincent's voice became firmer.
"Sheila, this conversation is over."
But she wasn't finished.
Her expression darkened as jealousy began to replace the sadness in her eyes.
"You might not admit it," she said slowly, "but something is changing between you and Anna."
Vincent said nothing.
That silence only made her more certain.
She clenched her hands slightly.
"I should have known," she muttered.
Vincent looked at her.
"Known what?"
She met his eyes again, her voice now cold.
"That Anna is the reason you won't come back to me."
Vincent didn't answer.
And to Sheila, that silence felt like confirmation.
A bitter smile slowly appeared on her face.
"Well," she said quietly, "we'll see how long that lasts."
Her eyes flashed with jealousy.
Because one thing was becoming very clear in her mind.
Anna had become an obstacle.
And Sheila had never been the type of person who accepted defeat easily.