"Wait, what?" I inquired, the words hanging in the air as I tried to grasp his question. Perhaps I had simply misinterpreted his words.
"I'm asking about your relationship status," Daryl responded, prompting me to regard him with a newfound seriousness.
"Why the sudden interest, sir?" I pressed further, our eyes locked in a silent exchange.
"It's nothing, just idle curiosity," he deflected with a casual nod, a hint of mystery lingering in his gaze.
"Do you have any questions for me?" he asked, his voice smooth and expectant. One question immediately sprang to mind.
"Are you single, sir?" I blurted out, my cheeks flushing slightly. To my surprise, he didn't seem fazed by my boldness.
"Yes," he replied, a hint of a smile playing at his lips. I simply nodded, my curiosity became more intense.
My legs felt like lead as I walked away, a knot of anger tightening in my stomach. How could he deny her? I'd seen it all, the way he looked at her, the way he held her hand. The denial felt like a slap in the face, a betrayal of the truth. I wished Helena would find someone who truly deserved her, someone who wouldn't deny her love.
I returned to my work, the encounter still simmering beneath the surface. Lunchtime finally arrived, and I began clearing my desk, eager to escape the confines of the office for a few moments. As I was gathering my things, the elevator doors slid open, revealing a familiar figure. It was Helena, her eyes bright and her smile warm.
"Hi, nice to see you again!" Helena greeted me. I returned the smile, a pang of sympathy twisting in my gut.
"Nice to see you too, ma'am Helena," I replied, my voice betraying none of the turmoil churning within me.
"Oh! You look like you're lost in thought," Helena observed, her gaze soft as she approached me.
"No, I'm fine," I assured her, but her hand was already on my shoulder, a gesture both comforting and intrusive.
"You can face anything, Tyra," she said, her voice filled with genuine encouragement. "You're a strong woman." Her words were meant to soothe, but all I could think about was her, the woman who deserved so much more than this.
Daryl didn't deserve her. Not this woman, so vibrant and kind, so full of life. She gave me a final wave, a smile that seemed to radiate warmth even from across the hallway, and then stepped into Daryl's office. The sound of her cheerful greeting, a melody that should have been reserved for someone more worthy, echoed through the door.
I retreated to the elevator, pressing the button for the ground floor. The familiar hum of the descending car was a welcome distraction as I tried to process everything. 
Once outside, I slid into my SUV, the leather seats cool against my skin. As I pulled out of the parking lot, my phone buzzed with a message from Joana. "Eating lunch?" it read. I glanced at the clock, realizing I was already running late. A nearby restaurant beckoned, and I pulled into the parking lot, eager to grab a quick bite.
I quickly typed a message to Joana, letting her know I was grabbing lunch. Stepping into the restaurant, I was greeted by the aroma of steak and the murmur of conversation. A friendly waiter, sensing my need for a quick meal, ushered me to a vacant table.
"Here's the menu, ma'am," the waiter said, his smile as bright as the sunlight streaming through the window. I returned his smile, a fleeting moment of warmth in the midst of my turmoil. 
"Thank you," I replied, my gaze falling to the menu, a welcome distraction from the swirling thoughts in my mind.
As I scanned the menu, my phone buzzed. It was Daryl, asking where I was. I quickly typed back my location, a wave of annoyance washing over me. He had the audacity to inquire about my whereabouts after what I'd witnessed. I placed my order with the waiter, a simple salad, and settled back to wait for my meal, my mind still replaying the scene in his office.
With a sigh, I decided to scroll through my social media feed, hoping to distract myself from the swirling thoughts in my head. A post caught my eye, a woman beaming with pride as she was lauded for her achievements in the corporate world. Her success, a stark contrast to the situation I'd just witnessed, felt both inspiring and bittersweet.
"Monica Elaine Trinidad. That name sounds familiar," I murmured to myself, a sudden jolt of recognition running through me. My train of thought was abruptly interrupted as the waiter placed my salad in front of me, the aroma of fresh greens and dressing momentarily distracting me from the puzzle forming in my mind.
I was halfway through my salad, the crisp lettuce and tangy dressing a welcome distraction, when my phone buzzed again. It was Daryl, his message a persistent reminder of the events that had unfolded earlier. I was just beginning to read his words when a shadow fell across my table. Someone was standing there, their presence a sudden intrusion into my solitary lunch.
"You're eating alone, huh?" Daryl said, sliding into the chair across from me, his presence a jarring intrusion into my quiet meal.
"I thought you were going to have lunch with your girlfriend?" I countered, my voice laced with a hint of sarcasm. He met my gaze, his expression unreadable, a stark contrast to the cheerful demeanor he'd displayed earlier.
His laughter erupted, a jarring sound in the quiet restaurant, leaving me utterly bewildered. I stared at him, my brow furrowed in confusion, unable to decipher the source of his amusement.
"Are you okay? Did I say something wrong?" I asked, my voice edged with concern. But Daryl simply continued to chuckle, the sound grating on my nerves.  
"Did you say girlfriend? Helena?" he finally asked, his amusement still evident. My temper flared. He was mocking me, making light of the situation, and it was infuriating.
I focused on my salad, trying to ignore the unsettling laughter emanating from across the table. Daryl, however, seemed intent on making my lunch as uncomfortable as possible. He called the waiter, ordering a steak, and settled back to wait for his food, his gaze fixed on me. I finished my salad, the last bite tasting like ashes in my mouth. As I reached for my phone to call the waiter, Daryl's hand shot out, stopping me. My glare met his infuriatingly cheerful smile.
"Do I look like a joke to you?" I snapped, my voice tight with barely suppressed fury. His smile faltered, replaced by a look of genuine surprise. He nodded, his expression now serious. 
"Are you mad?" he asked, his voice a touch too casual. I shook my head, trying to regain control of my emotions.  
"I'm not mad, sir!" I retorted, my voice dripping with sarcasm. I turned my attention to my phone, desperately needing a distraction from the escalating tension.
The clock on my phone ticked past one o'clock, and still, no sign of Daryl's steak. My own lunch was long finished, and the weight of unfinished work pressed down on me. It was time to head back to the office. This unexpected encounter had already eaten into my afternoon, and I needed to get back to my desk.
"I ordered dessert for you," he said, his voice a casual drawl that sent a shiver down my spine. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves.
"I'm already full, sir!" I said, my voice firm, but a knot of unease tightened in my stomach. He didn't respond, his gaze unwavering, and a chilling thought crept into my mind. Was he serious? Was he really expecting me to stay and eat dessert with him after everything that had happened?
A few minutes later, the waiter arrived, bearing a plate with a miniature cake, its frosting glistening under the restaurant lights.
"You shouldn't buy me this, sir!" I said, my voice firm, a touch of exasperation creeping in. He looked at me, his expression unreadable, as if gauging my reaction. 
"Why though?" he asked, his voice casual, as he continued to eat his steak, seemingly unfazed by my outburst.
His nonchalance was unsettling. Was he truly oblivious to the implications of his actions? Did he not care about Helena, or was this some twisted game he was playing? I took a hesitant bite of the cake, the sweetness a stark contrast to the bitterness swirling in my stomach. I couldn't bring myself to finish it, each bite a reminder of the uncomfortable situation I found myself in.
"You don't like it?" he asked, his tone laced with a hint of disappointment. I shook my head, unable to meet his gaze. 
"I'm not into sweets right now," I mumbled, hoping to avoid further conversation. He nodded, his expression unreadable, and the silence stretched between us, heavy with unspoken tension.
Daryl, with a casual wave of his hand, summoned the waiter for the bill. He paid without a word, his expression unreadable. As soon as the waiter disappeared, I grabbed my bag, my movements quick and decisive. I was ready to leave, to escape this bizarre encounter and return to the familiar comfort of my office.
"Are you in a hurry?" Daryl asked, his voice echoing behind me as he followed closely. 
"I have a lot to do, sir!" I replied, my voice clipped, my tone leaving no room for further conversation.
"Okay, drive safely!" he said, his voice a touch too cheerful. I simply nodded, my eyes fixed on the exit, eager to put as much distance between us as possible.
I slid into my SUV. The engine roared to life, and I pulled out of the parking lot, the familiar drive back to the office a welcome relief. As I stepped off the elevator, I saw Daryl walking towards me, his smile a little too wide, a little too knowing. I didn't hesitate. My finger slammed down on the "close" button, trapping myself in the metal box, desperate to avoid another awkward encounter.
I reached my office, the familiar space offering a sense of sanctuary. I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering unease from my lunch encounter. I settled into my chair, facing my computer, and began to work, the rhythmic click of the keyboard a soothing counterpoint to the racing thoughts in my mind. I looked up, my heart skipping a beat, to see Daryl emerging from the elevator, his eyes fixed on me.
 
I tried to focus on my work, to ignore his presence, but the feeling of being watched was too strong. I glanced up again, hoping to catch a glimpse of his reaction, but all I saw was his silhouette, a dark figure looming against the bright office lights. It was as if he was a predator stalking his prey, and I, the unsuspecting victim.
"What are you doing, huh?" he asked, his voice a low growl that sent shivers down my spine. I tried to feign confusion, my voice trembling slightly. 
"Wha—what are you talking about, si—sir?" I forced myself to calm down, to appear composed.  
"Are you avoiding me? Why?" he pressed, his gaze unwavering. I was caught off guard, his directness unsettling. I had hoped to avoid this confrontation, but it seemed inevitable.
"I just find it awkward to talk to you like that, sir. I still respect your girlfriend," I said, my voice barely a whisper. I looked down, unable to meet his gaze. 
"You have a girlfriend?" The voice that interrupted me was a breathy whisper, and I looked up, startled. Helena stood behind Daryl, her eyes narrowed as she stared at me.
"You didn't tell me you have a girlfriend, Daryl," she said, her voice laced with a hint of accusation. Confused, I turned back to Helena, my question tumbling out before I could stop myself. 
"You are his girlfriend, right?" Her surprise was palpable, her eyes widening as she stared at me, her expression unreadable.
Daryl's head shook, a low chuckle escaping his lips. He was laughing at me. The sound, initially a low rumble, grew louder, filling the small space with a mocking melody. His laughter, cold and cruel, pierced through my already shattered composure.
"Why are you insisting that she is my girlfriend?" Daryl asked, his voice laced with amusement. I was utterly bewildered. 
"I'm not his girlfriend, Tyra. And I'm also engaged right now with my boyfriend," Helena said, her voice calm but firm. She lifted her hand, revealing a sparkling diamond ring on her finger. The evidence was undeniable, yet the confusion swirling in my mind refused to dissipate. This entire situation felt like a bizarre, twisted dream.
A tall, handsome man, radiating confidence and charm, appeared beside Helena. He leaned down, his lips meeting hers in a tender kiss, a gesture of intimacy that sent a wave of confusion crashing over me. My mind, already reeling from the bizarre events of the past few minutes, struggled to comprehend this new development.