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Win

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Chapter 3: Win (Vanessa's POV)

Everybody was busy chatting as we got back to our office room. I settled at my desk, checked my notes from the meeting, and got to work. 

"Oh, my God. You're working," Jade said, staring at me. "Are you serious? We just got done with our monthly projects, take a break, Ness," she sighed. 

"If I take a break right now, I'll be spending my weekend doing research on these projects," I replied, turning to her. "I'd rather keep my weekends free." 

She rolled her eyes, sitting beside me. "Whatever. You're coming with us to tonight's dinner, aren't you? It's tradition, you know." 

"I know, I'll be there," I mumbled. Work ends at six every evening and these dinners usually start at eight. After every month, when all our projects have been completed, our team goes out to dinner together. "Where are we meeting tonight?" I asked, kicking my heels off under the table. 

"Mirrors," she answered. 

Ah, Mirrors. Mirrors is a moderately expensive but classy restaurant. They have indoor and rooftop dining and as the name suggests, the interior is made of mirrors. Some normal, some black, some gold, whatever you can think of but in mirror. 

"All right." I huffed, glancing at my heel that refused to come off. The strap was stuck. I reached out, pulled the strap off, and then shook my foot to get it off. I watched from under the table as it hit Aaron's shin and then landed by his foot. 

He continued his conversation with Thomas and merely glanced at me. 

I bit my bottom lip, cursing in my head. I tried reaching it with my foot but he pulled it under his chair and away from me. 

He nodded once at Thomas and then turned his attention to me, lifting a brow. "Yes?" 

"You know, contrary to what you probably think, I'm not always interested in throwing heels at you." I rolled my eyes and pushed my chair away, crawling under the table to grab it. I almost had it when he reared his chair back and stood up, crouching underneath the table and coming face to face with my, my heel in his hand. 

"No? Are you sure? Because it seems like it most if not all of the time," he said pointedly. 

I snatched my heel out of his hand. "No," I replied. 

I moved to get out from under the table but stopped when he mumbled, "Maybe I should finally report you to HR too. You're throwing shoes at me now." 

I huffed, "I didn't throw it at you, it was an accident. And what do you mean report me to HR too? I didn't even report you when you spilled hot coffee on me, Aaron." 

"No, but John did," he shrugged with a smirk and then crawled out, sitting in his seat. 

I quickly got out from under the table and sat in my seat. "What are you talking about?" I questioned him. 

"John told HR you locked me in the janitor's closet after I accidentally spilled some coffee on you." 

"Some? An entire cup isn't 'some' it's an entire cup," I retorted. 

"You can tell John that." 

I glanced at his desk. 

"Oh, he's at the HR department, never mind," he said. "He'll be back." 

Jade piped in, "Why is he at the HR department?" 

Aaron glanced at me. "He's reporting your boss." 

"Why?" Jade questioned. "For calling him out on his male chauvinism?" 

"For harassing him," Aaron said and then got back to work like nothing happened. 

"Jade, can I borrow you for a second?" someone from the door called out. 

"Yup!" She stood up and left. 

I moved my chair a little to the right, looking at Aaron's face which is usually, thankfully, hidden by my computer. My eyes narrowed. "Are you being serious about that HR thing?" 

He didn't stop typing as he answered. "If I used HR to threaten you, it would be a low blow. I wouldn't even call it a real win. Would you?" 

"Hmm, no. I'd call locking you in the janitor's closet a real win." 

"Huh well, I'd call spilling coffee on you a real win," he smirked, glancing at me. 

My eyes narrowed even further. "I'd call that a low blow." 

"Vanessa!" I looked at the door where Megan stood. She waved and then walked over. As she did, I glanced at Aaron who looked like he knew exactly what was about to go down. 

What if John really did report me to HR? 

"Hey, have you got a minute to chat?" Megan asked, smiling politely. 

"Um," I cleared my throat, shifting in my seat. "Sure, what about?" 

"Just some things happening in your department, what's going on?" She shrugged. 

"Is this about John?" I asked bluntly. 

She paused, blinking in confusion. 

"Because I swear I locked him," I pointed to Aaron, "in that janitor's closet for good reason. He spilled coffee on me, Megan." 

"Wasn't that an—" 

"Accident? I highly doubt it, it was awfully convenient for him." I shot him a glare. "And if you're believing John when he says I harassed him, then you should ask him what he does to me and my team every single day. If anything, that's—" 

"Vanessa." 

I took in a breath. "Yes?" 

She stared at me. "I just came to ask you how everything's going. That's it, really. I was going to go down to your favorite café for lunch, I thought you could join me. John, uh..." She shook her head softly. "He didn't report anything about harassment. And we all already know about the whole coffee and closet fiasco, it's okay," she chuckled. 

"Megan!" 

"Coming!" She left, catching up to her friends from the HR department. 

I closed my eyes and exhaled before looking at Aaron. He wheeled his chair to look at me, coming out from behind his computer. "You know what I think, Vanessa?" 

"I am going to kill you." 

"I think that was a win." 

"A win? Really? You really want to start using the HR card now?" 

"A win is a win." 

"That's hardly a win, Sinclair." 

"A win is a win, Griffin," he replied. "And if I remember the rules correctly, you owe me help," he smirked. 

I should have known he was playing the lying game with me. John is dumb but not dumb enough to risk being recognized for his sexist acts. He couldn't handle the humiliation. 

"So get ready," he said, "to stay back on Monday and help me with the strategy for one of the projects." 

"You're such an asshole," I bit back. 

"That's fine as long as I'm winning," he replied, going back to work. 

I hate him. I really hate him. Today was supposed to be my win, it was our team that completed this month's projects, not his. And he still managed to ruin it for me. 

Aaron fucking Sinclair, I hate you. 

»»————　➴　————««

I stopped at the podium where the manager stood, scanning the restaurant. "How can I help you, ma'am?" he smiled politely. 

"Vanny," Daisy sang, walking in and linking her arm with mine. "Zach told me which table they're at, come on." 

I let her lead the way until we reached our table of six at the back. Zach, Madison, and Harry were already here, so we settled too and Jade came in shortly after. 

We all ordered dinner, talked a bit about the next few projects, shared some ideas, and continued drinking. 

"How do you do it?" Harry asked. Harry's a bit older than us, sure, but he's not an old man. He's about forty, I think, but he's not like another forty-year-old man we know. Ahem, John. Harry is actually nice and funny and I've met his wife and kids as well. They're an extremely kind and welcoming family. 

"Do what?" I asked, putting my glass of wine down. 

"Deal with a prick like Aaron Sinclair." 

"Oh, that," I smiled, "I've been doing it since college." 

"I never got that. You've known each other since college, how come you're so hostile with one another?" Zach asked. 

"Let me answer that," Jade chuckled. I nodded for her to go ahead. "Our lovely Vanessa here and Aaron have been hostile from the beginning. They competed for everything back then too." 

"Really?" Daisy asked. 

I shrugged, "More or less." 

"Everything?" Maddie questioned. 

"Mostly grades and marks on a paper. How many professors in college liked one of us more than the other. Who knew more answers in class." 

"I had no idea you were so competitive until I saw you interact with Aaron for the first time," Daisy mumbled. 

"He brings out the worst in me," I cleared my throat. 

"There has to be more to it, college rivalry can only go on for so long," Madison huffed. 

"Oh, of course, there is," Jade laughed, the wine getting to her head now. "One night, they—" 

I went to cut her off but never got to. 

"Vanessa." 

I looked up, the color draining from my face. 

"Uh oh," Jade sang. 

"Chase, what are you doing here?" I asked. 

"I came for dinner with some co-workers. I see so did you." 

"Then maybe you should get back to your co-workers," I said, picking up my glass of wine and bringing it to my lips. 

"I've been calling you," he said, harsher than before. 

Everybody stared at me. "No answer is an answer, Chase," I replied. "Please, leave." 

"I need to talk to you." 

I rolled my eyes, putting the glass back down and ignoring him. 

"Vanessa," he said sternly. 

Jade's eyes met mine and she seemed worried now. 

"Vanessa," he hissed, grabbing my arm and pulling me up to my feet. 

I caught the table before I stumbled and met his eyes, my teeth clenched. "Maybe you should have talked me to be before you slept with your co-worker. Let go." 

"Vanessa, it's been six months, listen to me, please—" 

"I said let go." 

"But I—" 

I sighed, grabbing the red wine and taking another sip. I paused before it touched my lips and glanced at him. 

Should I? No... 

But I did anyway. I splashed the wine on his face. He gasped and dropped my arm immediately, staggering a few steps back. 

He glared at me, wiping his face. "You—" 

I sat back down, stopping a waiter. "Excuse me," I smiled. 

"Yes, ma'am?" 

"Could I get some more wine, please?" 

He glanced at Chase and simply walked away after saying, "Of course. On the house for you." 

"Thank you," I grinned, leaning back into the chair and crossing one knee over the other. I looked at Chase who was still glaring at me. "Maybe you should go home," I said, "before I throw the pasta at you too." 

"This isn't finished, Van." 

"It was finished the day you cheated on me, Chase. Goodnight." I waited until he left and then grabbed my purse, standing up. 

"Van—" Zach began.

"Don't let him ruin your night," Harry tried. 

"Goodnight, guys," I sighed. 

"You're really leaving?" Jade asked. 

I nodded, giving everyone a small smile. "I'm pretty tired anyway and all I'm craving is sleep. The highest bidder gets my glass of wine." Nobody said a word. "I'm okay, guys," I forced a laugh. "Really. I'll see you all on Monday." I paid for my part of the bill, leaving the money on the table. "Bye." I walked out, rolling my eyes as the breeze hit me once I reached the sidewalk. I glanced at the brown satin slip dress I wore. So much for a good night out.

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Chapter 3

you know tbh if I had to choose a trope to live in, I'd choose co-workers/ office rivals to lovers. stealing kisses at work, hiding from the boss n all that shit. plus it's not that unrealistic

next chapter: secret