The fine line (Episode 13) - by Zarah Writes

<blockquote>Whispers and Warning Notes</blockquote>A Gen story by Zeewrites At this point, I was starting to believe peace doesn’t exist in that office — just new versions of madness with better lighting. Everything seemed fine on the surface. Adam and I were good again, Mr Ademola still texted “good morning, sunshine” like a teenage lover boy, and Tunde? Well, he’d been acting quiet since that query came. Man’s been walking on eggshells, eyes glued to his laptop like his life depended on Excel formulas. But you see Cynthia? That girl’s heart is made of pure pepper and premium jealousy.She still hasn’t forgiven me for that query. In her mind, I’m the reason she got it. She’s convinced I’m the “office witch” who’s using body and brain to climb the ladder — which, in fairness, isn’t entirely wrong. So she’s been plotting.Trying to find a way to shake things up. First, she went to Tunde.I overheard bits of their convo in the break room — she was trying to get him to “help her put Zara in her place.”Tunde didn’t even let her land before saying, “Cynthia, please don’t involve me. I just got a query because of office drama. I’m not doing again.” Cynthia hissed, called him a coward, and walked out like a rejected Nollywood villain. That’s when she decided to recruit someone else.Someone who didn’t like me from day one — Angela.Angela, the HR assistant who once told me, “you fine girls with small waist and big dreams are always trouble.”She’s the perfect partner for wickedness. So Cynthia went to her desk, whispering and fake-laughing all through the day. I noticed the sudden friendship, but I didn’t think much of it.Until the little strange things started happening. Emails I didn’t send appeared under my name.A report I submitted mysteriously went missing from the shared drive.Angela suddenly became extra friendly, offering me snacks and “advice.”Something was off — but I couldn’t place it. Meanwhile, Adam was being the sweetest as usual. He’d bring lunch, check up on me, tell me to rest.He had no idea the real war in that office wasn’t between men and women, but between envy and survival. Then one Thursday morning, everything changed.I walked into the office like normal — heels clicking, perfume floating, pretending I had my life together. But when I got to my desk, there was a folded white paper sitting right beside my keyboard. No name. No handwriting I recognized. Just five words written in clean black ink: “Be careful with Cynthia. Soon.” My heart skipped.I looked around — everyone was working like nothing happened.Adam was by the printer, Cynthia was on her phone, Angela was typing with fake focus. I picked up the paper and read it again.“Be careful with Cynthia. Soon.” Soon?Soon what? My mind started racing.Who could have written it?Was it Adam? No, he wouldn’t do that.Mr Ademola? He doesn’t write notes, he transfers millions.So who? I folded the paper and slipped it into my purse, forcing a smile even though my stomach was tightening. But the weirdest part?Tunde wasn’t in the office that morning. And just before lunch, the security guy came to drop an envelope addressed to HR — from “Anonymous Staff.”Inside it was a short report. No signature. Just a warning: “Cynthia is planning something against Zara.Please pay attention.” Later that evening, as I was packing my things, I caught Tunde’s eyes from across the room.He looked calm. Too calm.He gave me a small nod — one of those “just trust me” looks. And in that moment, I knew.He was the one who wrote it. But why?After everything?After that hallway tension? After all the drama? What does Tunde know that I don’t?And what exactly is Cynthia planning? Because if she’s teaming up with Angela…something big is about to go down. To be continued.

The Fine Line

Referral Earning

Points-to-Coupons