"You want to leave Lilian and I, alone, together, for a whole week?" I gaped at him incredulously. He must have hit his head somewhere earlier this morning. That was the only sane explanation.

"It might not be the whole week," he shrugged indifferently.

"We won't last an hour together."

"If I remember correctly, I pulled you off her. So even if push comes to shove, I'm confident you will be able to hold your ground." Amusement gleamed in his eyes.

"You see we can't work together, not without some kind of buffer."

"What you both need is to sort out your differences and peacefully coexist."

"William! You can't do this," I groaned.

"I can, I will and infact, I have." He grinned before opening the door and stepping out. Sighing, I reluctantly followed him out.

"Lilian I will be at D&L for the rest or most of the week with Heather. You and Ophelia can handle everything over here. If there's anything, just call or tell Mark."

"Alright sir," she nodded. If she was disturbed by the news of having to spend an entire week alone with me (which I'm sure she was), she didn't show it.

"Goodbye ladies. Have fun." I heard him chuckle as he walked away. Staring on gloomily, I resisted the urge to run after him and beg to be taken anywhere else but here.

"So," I pivoted once he was fully out of sight.

"Do not even bother." Lilian said, her face stern as always, then stood and walked into the little office.

"Glad we could sort things out." I said dryly. I sat behind the open desk and started looking through the schedule for the day. Quarter way through, the intercom on the desk buzzed and it was Lilian baring a few other things to add to the schedule.

"Okay," I dropped the receiver and that was all for the next few hours.

"Hey."

I smiled at Mark who suavely approached my desk, "hey, how are you?"

"Good good, you? Didn't see you again Saturday night."

"Oh, I left early." I glossed over his words.

"Hm, Will did too, he was there you know."

"Oh, I know." I said wryly, instantly remembering fragments of Saturday night and Sunday morning.

"Oh," Mark's 'oh' was very suggestive and seeing the sly look in his eyes, I hastily retracted.

"I don't mean, not like that,"

"No worries Ophelia, your secret is safe with me." He winked conspiratorially and heat spread over my cheeks causing me to sigh as there was really no secret. Although William and I did cross some certain employer-employee lines, we didn't actually—

"No need to stress." Mark said again smiling playfully and I realized he probably just quite successfully baited me.

"There really isn't a need to stress,"

"Mm-hmm, morning Lilian." He turned to jovially greet Lilian who was just returning from wherever she went ten minutes ago.

"Mr Durham," she acknowledged with a slight nod.

Mark turned back to me, "I'll see you later Ophelia, let's have lunch together. You can state your case better too." He teased again.

I sighed in resignation again but waved before he walked away. Returning my gaze frontward, Lilian was already intently staring at me through the glass.

"Frolicking with Mr Durham I see."

"Of course you think I'm trying to seduce him as well," I rolled my eyes then laughed. "You know I should probably be a lot more offended by all your insinuations and remarks but they are so far from the truth, I find them and you really funny instead."

Only silence ensued after, as Lilian didn't respond. Nearly an hour passed and I was scrolling through features of a proposed Illston tech gadget when my phone dinged with the notification of a text.

From:

I'm sorry

My brows noticeably lifted at the simple yet unclear text.

To:

For leaving me with maleficent?

From:

Maleficent, wannabe Cinderella, you two really have so much in common, you should be best friends already

I released a disgruntled sigh not at all surprised Lilian, who was busy typing away in the little office, had called me a wannabe Cinderella. My phone dinged again and another message popped up.

From:

But I'm not apologising for that, you both need it

I was midway an eye roll when another message entered.

From:

I'm apologising for last week

My brows arched.

To:

Last week?

From:

The stalkers and how I reacted. I blamed it all on you when it wasn't all your fault, I'm sorry

I read the words three times over before it struck me. It was an apology. I could still remember mentioning my grievances about that afternoon in the boardroom right after the pregnancy farce, while I was out of my mind drunk in his car Saturday night. The memory was embarrassing enough yet here he was, apologising. Staring at the text again, a short sigh left my lips. He should've been apologising for what he did years ago instead.

I gave the most diplomatic response I could think of.

To:

A raise is usually the best apology sir

From:

I'm really going to fire you one of these days

To:

Not if I quit first ;)

Arriving home later that day, the neighbourhood was still tense from yesterday's macabre event.

"Blondie, you better be careful," Jiggy sneered as I brought my keys out of my bag. His appearing out of nowhere antics didn't surprise me much anymore.

"Good evening to you too Jiggy." I responded blankly.

"The woman that was killed was a blondie just like you, hope you ain't next." He walked away sniggering boisterously. His crude words chilled me to the bone and I quickly unlocked my door, entered the apartment and locked it back. The man was a maniac. I remembered my conversation with William yesterday. I knew I had to leave this place.

A knock startled me out of my reverie and my heart started pounding faster. Who was there? Jiggy? The serial killer? I slowly walked to the door.

"Who's there?"

"Detective Shaun from NYPD."

I opened the door and came face to face with a brown haired man who looked around his mid thirties.

"Good evening."

"Evening ma'am, I'm here regarding investigations on the murder of Elise Lynette, may I come in? Got a few routine questions to ask," he showed his badge as he spoke. Nodding, I let him in and pointed to the couch. He sat and I took a seat adjacent him. The sight of his pen and little book made the reality of yesterday's events feel even more morose.

"As I said, I'm Detective Shaun from the NYPD, my partner detective Phil is also with some other residents at the moment."

I tilted my head in understanding, "I'm Ophelia Duhamels."

"Not the best situation on ground but nice to meet you Miss Duhamels," he said almost systematically then flicked his pen. "Did you know miss Elise Lynette?"

"No, I'm not even sure what she looked like. I may have seen her at the building entrance or something but I can't remember now." I answered and he jotted down.

"How long have you lived here?"

"Since January, this year."

"Any particular reason for your move?"

"A fresh start." I said and he nodded.

"Where were you the morning of May 19th?"

"My boss's house."

He jotted down again then went ahead to ask a few more questions, which got really embarrassing at a point as I felt the need-- after explaining my complete weekend whereabouts --to expatiate on the fact that all I did at my boss's house was sleep. It seemed, defending this singular fact was the crux of my day.

"That will be all for now," the Detective closed his little book.

"Is it okay if I move out of here? I know there's the police detail around but I think I'd feel safer in a new environment."

"Absolutely, I understand. We'll also need to confirm your alibi so I'll need your contact details."

I nodded and collected the little book he stretched forward then scrawled my number down. I handed him the book after and he stood.

"Sorry for the intrusion miss and thank you for your time."

"It's no problem, goodnight."

I exhaled heavily and leaned against the door once he was gone. Staring at my one bedroom apartment, another sigh escaped me. Right before I went to bed later that night, I decidedly texted William.

To:

I'll take it

***

Two more days into the week, Lilian and I had somewhat fallen into a routine consisting solely of work and silence. It was surprising, considering our lack of affinity for each other but definitely welcomed. But as whoever once said, all good things must come to an end.

Our rather amiable routine was finally broken Wednesday afternoon when Taylor McKenna, a manager of an Illston tech branch, came to drop off some reports. She frequently visited while I was the only PA manning the desks and we quickly became acquainted.

"Hey there," she smiled dropping the brown files on my desk.

"Hey Taylor." I greeted her with a smile as well.

"Is Mr Illston in?" She asked.

"He is not in." Lilian came out of her office answering the question before my lips could form a reply.

"Oh, Lilian you're back," Taylor appeared a little surprised, "how wonderful. Welcome."

"Yes, I am, thank you." Lilian's smile wasn't warm.

"I missed you these past few weeks." Taylor smiled a little too sweetly.

"I'm sure you did."

I eagerly watched as tension mounted between the two women.

"But I'm glad you're back now, you can finally join in on cupcake Thursdays."

"Cupcake Thursdays?" Lilian's gaze drifted to me in an accusive manner but I didn't react. Last thing I wanted was to get dragged into whatever power fight was going on.

"I've been sharing cupcakes every Thursday the past three weeks, to everyone." Taylor laid emphasis on the 'everyone'.

Lilian scoffed.

"Mr Illston loves them," Taylor chuckled. It was probably best she didn't know William always passed his cupcakes to me. He wasn't much of a sweet tooth. She stepped closer to Lilian and her sweet demeanor suddenly dropped, "It's no surprise he does, you weren't here to smother him afterall."

Shit, this is getting good.

"Smother him?" Lilian laughed harshly.

"Or am I wrong and your intentions are really otherwise?" She was toe to toe with Lilian now.

This company definitely has more drama than the Kardashians.

"I am not a skank like you Taylor, now leave and do not even think about bringing along any poisonous cupcakes with you next time." Lilian pointed towards the exit way.

"Mr Illston is a grown man and can decide what he wants." Taylor jeered.

"And I assure, you are certainly not it."

"But I can make it so," Taylor winked and laughed again.

"Get out of here, now." Lilian gritted.

"I preferred it when it was only the dense secretary around," Taylor sighed then completely stepped away from Lilian.

My mouth fell open.

"Bye you two. See you tomorrow for cupcake Thursday," she smiled like the last five minutes didn't just happen then left.

"Did she just call me dense?"

***