The day started like any other.
Work. Files. Deadlines.
Normal.
Too normal.
Riyana had settled into a rhythm now—something she never thought would happen in this office. Conversations with Bosco were easier. Silences weren't heavy anymore.
It was… comfortable.
And maybe that's why she noticed it immediately.
The laugh.
Light. Easy.
Not hers.
Riyana's fingers paused over her keyboard.
She didn't mean to look.
But she did.
Near Bosco's cabin, a woman stood—well-dressed, confident, holding a file. She was saying something, and Bosco—
He smiled.
Not his usual faint, controlled expression.
A real smile.
Riyana blinked.
Her chest tightened slightly.
Why am I noticing this?
She forced her eyes back to the screen.
Focused.
Or at least, tried to.
The typing slowed.
Then stopped.
The laugh came again.
Softer this time.
Still there.
Something about it felt… off.
Not wrong.
Just—
Uncomfortable.
"She's from the new client team."
The voice came from the desk beside her.
Riyana glanced sideways. "Who?"
"The one talking to sir," her colleague said casually. "They've been in meetings since morning."
Riyana nodded once. "Oh."
That was all.
That was enough.
It should've been enough.
So why did her eyes drift again?
This time, she caught a clearer view.
The woman leaned slightly forward, saying something. Bosco listened, arms crossed loosely, completely at ease.
He said something back.
She laughed again.
And he didn't shut it down.
Didn't move away.
Didn't—
Riyana looked away sharply.
Her jaw tightened.
What exactly is bothering you?
It was a simple interaction.
Normal.
Professional, even.
So why did it feel like something was… off?
"Riyana."
She looked up.
Bosco stood in front of her desk.
She hadn't even noticed him walking over.
"Did you finish the report?"
"Yes," she said quickly, opening the file. "I'll send it."
Her tone was normal.
Almost.
Bosco studied her for a second. "You okay?"
"I'm fine."
Too fast.
Too flat.
He didn't push it. "Send it to me first."
"Hmm."
He waited a second longer, like he was about to say something else.
Then—
Nothing.
He turned and walked back.
Back to the cabin.
Back to her.
Riyana's grip tightened around the mouse.
Why does that matter?
It doesn't.
It shouldn't.
She took a slow breath and sent the file.
Focused.
Worked.
Ignored.
An hour later—
"Riyana, can you bring the updated file?"
His voice, from the cabin.
She stood up immediately, picking up the documents.
Professional.
Composed.
Normal.
She knocked once and stepped in.
And there she was again.
The same woman, now sitting across Bosco's desk.
Up close, she looked even more polished.
Confident.
Comfortable.
Riyana walked forward, placing the file on the desk.
"Here."
Bosco nodded. "Thanks."
"That must be the revised version?" the woman asked, looking at Riyana.
Riyana met her gaze briefly. "Yes."
"It's well done," she said, flipping through a few pages. "Clean work."
"Thank you."
Her voice was polite.
Measured.
Controlled.
Bosco added, "She handled most of it."
Riyana's eyes flickered toward him.
A compliment.
In front of someone else.
She should've felt good.
And she did.
But it mixed with something else.
Something she didn't like.
The woman smiled. "That explains it."
A small pause.
Then she turned back to Bosco. "You've got a good team."
You've got.
Not you are.
Not you did.
Riyana didn't know why that phrasing stuck.
But it did.
The discussion continued.
Riyana stood there for a moment longer than necessary.
Listening.
Observing.
Bosco was the same.
Calm. Focused. Professional.
But… a little more open.
A little more relaxed.
Or maybe she was imagining it.
Stop it.
She stepped back. "I'll be at my desk."
Bosco nodded absentmindedly. "Hmm."
He didn't look up.
Didn't notice her leaving.
And that—
For some reason—
Annoyed her more than it should have.
Back at her desk, the work blurred.
The numbers didn't sit right.
The screen felt too bright.
Her thoughts kept drifting back to the cabin.
To that conversation.
To that smile.
This is ridiculous.
She pressed her fingers against her temple.
He can talk to whoever he wants.
This has nothing to do with you.
Exactly.
So why—
Why did it feel like something was out of place?
By evening, the woman was still there.
Wrapping up, probably.
Riyana packed her bag slowly, deliberately not looking toward the cabin.
She didn't care.
She really didn't.
"Leaving?"
The voice came from behind.
Bosco.
She turned.
"Yeah. Done for the day."
He nodded. "Good."
A pause.
Then—
"You seemed distracted today."
There it was.
She crossed her arms lightly. "I wasn't."
A lie.
A weak one.
He didn't call it out.
Just watched her for a second.
Then said, "Don't overwork."
"I don't."
Another lie.
This time, he almost smiled.
"Right."
The silence stretched for a moment.
Riyana adjusted the strap of her bag.
Say something normal.
Leave.
End it.
Instead, what came out was—
"That client seems… comfortable."
The second she said it—
She regretted it.
Bosco's expression didn't change immediately.
"Which one?"
She gestured vaguely. "The one who's been here all day."
A brief pause.
Then—
"Oh. Aisha."
A name.
Just like that.
Riyana nodded once, like it meant nothing. "Hmm."
"She's easy to work with," Bosco said. "Clear about what she wants."
Simple explanation.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
Riyana held his gaze for a second.
Then looked away.
"Good."
That was it.
She turned and started walking.
Outside the building, the evening air felt cooler.
Quieter.
Riyana stopped near the gate, exhaling slowly.
Her mind replayed the day again.
The smile.
The conversations.
The way it bothered her.
She frowned slightly.
Why did that bother you?
No answer.
None that made sense.
She shook her head lightly, as if she could physically push the thought away.
It doesn't matter.
And maybe it didn't.
But as she walked away, one thought stayed—
Soft.
Unwanted.
But real.
It shouldn't have bothered me… but it did.