Damn it, what will I do? I feel everyone is looking at me, that I have a sign on my back saying, ‘I slept with the boss.’

But no one is looking at me. They are all sitting at their desks, tapping keys, swiping screens, communicating with the digital world. Ignoring the real one.

Tucking a folder under my arm, I head for his office. I’d rather he was going to berate me for being absent a couple of days, but this is about Saturday night. I know what he’ll say. ‘I’m sorry.’ ‘I didn’t know what I was doing.’ ‘I was drunk.’ The usual bullshit that seems to come so easy to cheaters. They must all have the same back up file loaded onto their little brains for easy access.

Lines are etched into Stephen’s forehead when I step inside the door. He must be feeling as nervous as I am. Well, it’s something I guess, that he’s showing stress, experiencing guilt. This relaxes me a bit, until he opens his mouth.

‘No need to sit, this won’t take long.’

Stepping away from the chair I grip the folder in my shaking hand.

‘Under no circumstances are you to utter a word about what happened on Saturday night,’ he says, his dark eyes squinting, staring through me.

I feel punched in the stomach, unable to reply. My mouth opens, but nothing comes out.

‘I’m sure you’d like to keep your job,’ he adds, breaking his stare and turning his attention to something on his desk. ‘That’ll be all.’

What just happened? Did I hear right? Did Stephen Black just threaten me? It sounded like it. Afraid that sleeping with the assistant to the assistants could ruin his chances of making partnership, not to mention what would happen if his pregnant wife found out. Keep your head down, Becca, give him no reason to fear you.

I drag myself to the door and walk out into the main office, where all my colleagues sit staring into screens unaware they’re working for a complete prick. The water cooler beckons from the corner so I make my way over still in shock at what just happened. His words echo in my head. ‘I’m sure you’d like to keep your job.’ Really, Stephen? Well, I’m sure you’d like to keep your wife.

Chapter Eleven

The rest of the day passes in a haze of deep breaths and shaking limbs. When I finally get home I decide to forget about Stephen Black. Let it go; nothing more will happen there. I can’t let him distract me from my mission. Pushing his threat to the back of my mind, I open my laptop and continue searching for Katie Collins.