Harriet ran her fingers through her hair as she glanced at Zoey, sound asleep on her bed. She couldn't shake the image of the scar on Zoey's chest, and took a sip of water, her thoughts churning.
"Was she stabbed?" she murmured, tilting her head as she frowned. "No, that doesn't seem right. The scar... it looks more like she had surgery or something." Setting the glass down on the bedside table, Harriet sat at the edge of the bed, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind Zoey's ear. A heavy sigh escaped her. "I've crossed our boundaries again," she muttered to herself, a bitter chuckle following.
She didn't fully understand what drew her so powerfully toward Zoey. It was different, unlike anything she'd felt before. Harriet tried to grasp the reason but couldn't quite pin it down. "Why do I always mess things up?" she whispered, laughing softly at the memory of how she had attempted to hook up with other girls in the pastâjust to feel something, anything.
Zoey shifted in her sleep, a soft moan escaping her as her brows furrowed, though she didn't wake. Harriet couldn't help but smirk, finding herself amused by Zoey's sleepy movements. "Not gonna lie, you're beautiful," she said quietly, appreciating the peaceful expression on Zoey's face as she slept.
"I wonder what happens next now that we've crossed a line that could change everything?" Harriet mused aloud before standing and grabbing a pillow. She walked over to the couch, glancing back at the bed. "Guess I'll sleep here tonight. Probably for the best... if I don't want to make another mistake."
Harriet picked up her phone, glancing at her lock screen wallpaper. "It's not like I cheated or anything, right?" she muttered, her gaze lingering on the photo of herself and Sophie. It was an old photograph Nyx had takenâthe last one before Sophie passed away. Harriet couldn't bring herself to change it, no matter how much time had passed.
"I'm sorry... I'm still torn. Guess I really am the bad bitch after all," Harriet whispered as she let the exhaustion overtake her, drifting slowly into sleep.
Zoey groaned inwardly as she stretched her arms, pausing when she realized she was back in the same place for the second time. With a heavy sigh, she sat up, smacking her forehead as the reality sank in.
"First, you kissed your boss's daughter. Now, you've made out with her. Really, Zoey? Are you out of your mind?" she muttered to herself, running her hands through her hair. Her frustration stalled when she noticed a paper bag beside her.
Curious, Zoey tilted her head before peeking inside. The first thing that caught her attention was a note, neatly folded on top of the contents.
"Good morning. I had to leave early for a patient appointmentânot that you'd care. Anyway, I left some clothes for you so you don't have to go home first. They're yours. I picked out what seemed like your usual style. Also, don't forget to eat. I cooked somethingâjust reheat it. - Harriet :)"
Zoey couldn't help but laugh softly at the note, but quickly cleared her throat. "Wow, she's got nice penmanship too," she murmured, finding herself oddly charmed.
When she peeked into the bag, her eyes widened. "What the hell? She bought a whole wardrobe!" Zoey gasped, seeing more than three full outfits stuffed inside. "Jeez, rich people..."
She sighed as she got out of bed, carefully making it as if to ensure it looked untouched. After finishing her meal, she washed the dishes, feeling a sense of responsibility for the space she had temporarily invaded. Before leaving Harriet's place, she wrote a note.
"Thank you for the food, and I apologize for the inconvenience...again. - Zoey."
With a soft sigh, she placed the note on Harriet's bedside table. She double-checked that everything was locked; the last thing she wanted was for Harriet to be robbed. Zoey couldn't shake the feeling that even the simplest rug in the house cost more than she could afford.
After hailing a cab, she settled into her seat, silently praying for a day free from any encounters with Harriet. She knew she wouldn't know how to react if she saw her. In fact, she hoped to avoid Harriet for the entire weekâan impossible task considering they worked in interconnected buildings.
Harriet chuckled quietly as she watched Zoey enter the building, wearing the clothes she had bought for her. Leaning against the wall, Harriet made sure to stay out of sight. Zoey was dressed in a navy blue short-sleeve turtleneck and a cream-colored maxi skirt, paired with platform strap-heeled sandals. "It suits her," Harriet mused to herself, silently admiring how well Zoey pulled off the outfit.
Meanwhile, Zoey was cautiously peeking around corners, making sure Harriet wasn't nearby during her break. So far, she hadn't spotted her, which was a relief. She sighed in quiet relief as she approached her boss's office and gathered her breath before stepping inside.
"There you are, Zoey!" Maggie exclaimed, clasping her hands with a warm smile. Riley was seated on the couch beside her, observing the scene.
Zoey sighed as she greeted Maggie and Riley, handing over the documents. Maggie motioned for her to sit across from them. They were mid-discussion when a knock came at the door, and someone entered.
"You called me, Mom?" The familiar voice made Zoey freeze in her seat.
"Harriet! Finally, you're here," Maggie said brightly. Zoey gulped as she felt Harriet's presence behind her. Instinctively, she raised the document in her hands to cover her face.
A soft laugh sounded from behind. She could feel the pressure on the back of the couch, likely from Harriet leaning on it. "You know I can see you clearly, right?" Harriet's voice was close, her breath brushing against Zoey's ear. It wasn't whispered, just loud enough for both Riley and Maggie to hear.
Zoey heard them chuckle softly, probably amused by her reaction. "No, you can't see me," she mumbled, trying to keep her face hidden. Her cheeks felt hot as flashes of last night flooded her mind. Please stay away!
Harriet clicked her tongue. "Nice outfit, by the way," she said casually, moving toward Riley's side.
"Eh?" Riley raised an eyebrow. "You two are practically matching."
Zoey peeked out from behind the document, meeting Harriet's gaze. Her heart skipped a beat. Harriet was dressed in a navy blue short-sleeve turtleneck, cream-colored straight-cut trousers, topped with her hospital coat, and cream slip-on sneakers.
"Oh, now I can see you," Harriet said with a laugh. "Looks like we have a similar taste in clothes," she added, turning to Riley with a playful brow raise.
"Right, I see," Riley nodded with a knowing smile, clearly enjoying the moment.
Zoey hissed internally, doing her best to keep her cool. Throughout the meeting, she could feel Harriet's gaze burning into her. If looks could melt someone, she would've been a puddle by now. She gulped, trying to focus on the feedback from Riley, knowing she'd eventually take over the company.
As the discussion wrapped up, Zoey exhaled in relief, standing to excuse herself. Maggie smiled warmly at her. "Great presentation, Zoey," she said.
Zoey smiled back, grateful. Just as she was about to leave, Harriet's voice cut through the room. "Leaving already?"
Zoey turned, trying to keep her composure. "Yes, do you need anything else?" Her voice was tight, controlled.
Harriet tilted her head with a smirk. "Nope, if you're leaving then I guess... see you around, girlfriend," she teased, throwing a playful wink at Zoey's way.
"What?!" Zoey couldn't help but blurt out, her eyes darting to Maggie, whose jaw had dropped in shock.
Riley erupted in laughter. "Harriet's just messing with you, Zoey. Don't take her seriously."
Harriet, acting as if nothing was amiss, tapped her chin thoughtfully. "But aren't we girlfriends? Because last nightâ"
"Please, just stop," Zoey interrupted, face flushed, hastily hiding behind the document she was holding.
Maggie cleared her throat, clearly confused. "Alright, what exactly is going on here?"
Zoey remained hidden behind her papers, her face burning from embarrassment at Harriet's teasing.
Harriet laughed, waving it off. "Relax, I was just joking."