148
The next morning, sunlight spilled through the glass walls of Mathews Creative like a quiet promise. The air buzzed with energy that electric kind that always followed a successful launch.
Amanda stepped out of the elevator beside Ericka, both of them polished and poised as usual.
Ericka wore a tailored white suit that demanded attention, her confidence radiating with every stride.
Amanda followed closely in a black blouse tucked into high-waisted slacks, her hair slicked into a sleek bun.
It was business as usual except for the way everyone's heads turned the second they entered.
Conversations paused. Phones lowered. Even the interns froze mid-keystroke.
Amanda shot Ericka a sideways glance. "You're aware they've all gone full paparazzi mode, right?"
Ericka didn't even break stride. "Let them stare. It means the interviews are performing well."
Amanda snorted softly. "That's one word for it."
As they approached the glass offices, her phone buzzed nonstop in her hand messages, tags, links to social posts. She glanced at the flood of notifications and sighed. "Oh, this is gonna be a long day."
The Mode+ interview had already reached a million views overnight.
Clips of Ericka's poised responses and Amanda's natural chemistry beside her had gone viral on TikTok and Instagram.
Every entertainment site and business blog was calling them the modern face of elegance and power.
And, of course, the comment sections were on fire.
Once they were settled inside the office, Ericka motioned for Amanda to pull up the analytics dashboard. Amanda turned her tablet toward her and right next to it, the live feed of comments scrolled endlessly down the screen.
Ericka's brows lifted slightly. "My, my..."
Amanda smirked. "Told you the internet would have thoughts."
Ericka tilted her head as she read aloud, voice laced with amusement.
"They're literally glowing. I swear love looks good on them."
She scrolled again.
"If they're not dating, then my entire understanding of chemistry is wrong.
"
"Amanda Parker and Ericka Mathews could sell me air, and I'd buy it just to support their energy.
"
"Power couple of the decade.
I said what I said."
"Imagine working under someone and falling in love at the same time.
This is like a fanfiction come to life."
Amanda groaned, hiding her face behind the tablet. "Oh my god, they're insane."
Ericka's lips curved into a faint, amused smirk. "You can't deny they're observant."
Amanda peeked at her, pretending to glare. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
"Maybe a little." Ericka leaned back in her chair, graceful as ever. "It's free publicity. And no one's outright accusing us of anything... yet."
Amanda crossed her legs and gave her a playful smirk. "Yet being the keyword."
Ericka's gaze lingered on her for a moment too long. "You worry too much," she murmured, though there was warmth in her tone. "We're fine. Let them speculate."
Still, Amanda caught it that brief flicker in Ericka's expression, the slight tension behind her composed smile. Beneath the CEO calm, there was a trace of concern. Ericka never liked losing control of the narrative.
Amanda softened her voice. "You know... most of the feedback is good. Everyone's saying the campaign looks fresh. Inspiring. Human. That's because of you, Ericka."
Ericka met her gaze, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. "Because of us," she corrected. "You were in those interviews too, Amanda. You've become part of the brand's identity the balance. It works."
Amanda smiled, her chest tightening a little. "You really mean that?"
"I do."
Their eyes held for a beat too long before a soft knock on the door made them both look away. One of the social media leads poked her head in.
"Ericka, Amanda just wanted to say congratulations. The campaign's trending in twelve countries already. And... uh, people are really loving the energy between you two."
Amanda smiled politely. "Thank you."
As the door closed again, Amanda leaned forward on the desk, whispering, "So, do we address it? The chemistry rumors?"
Ericka smirked, lifting her coffee cup. "No need. Mystery drives engagement."
Amanda laughed quietly. "You really are evil."
Ericka took a sip, eyes glinting over the rim of her cup. "I prefer strategic."
The next few hours passed in a blur of calls, updates, and follow-ups.
Each time Amanda refreshed the analytics, the numbers had climbed higher.
Articles now carried titles like "The Woman Behind the CEO: Amanda Parker's Quiet Influence on Ericka Mathews' Empire" and "Mathews Creative's Secret Weapon — The Assistant Who Changed Everything. "
Amanda skimmed through them, cheeks burning. "Oh god. I swear, the internet's turning me into a character."
Ericka chuckled softly. "They're not wrong. You've brought a new face to the company. They see what I see."
Amanda paused mid-scroll, looking up at her. "And what do you see?"
Ericka's lips curved. "Someone who makes everything run smoother. Who balances my edges without softening them. Who reminds me why I started doing this in the first place."
Amanda's breath caught. "That's... a lot coming from you."
"Don't get used to it," Ericka teased, though her eyes softened.
Just then, Amanda's phone buzzed a message from Samantha.
Samantha: Morning, lovebird. Operation Mathews Proposal planning has begun. We're going to make history.
Amanda quickly tilted the screen away before Ericka could notice, typing back under the desk.
Amanda: You're insane. I'm at work. Don't blow my cover.
Samantha: Don't worry, I'm the soul of discretion ?? Also, remember: brunch Saturday. Wear something cute but believable.
Amanda smiled faintly at the screen, her heart fluttering. She looked up to see Ericka glancing at her curiously.
"Something amusing?" Ericka asked, her tone casual but her eyes sharp.
Amanda swallowed the laugh threatening to spill out. "Just Samantha being Samantha."
"Ah," Ericka said, returning her focus to her notes, though a faint smile lingered. "Then I'm afraid for whoever's on the receiving end of that chaos."
Amanda grinned. "Same."
By late afternoon, the office had settled into its usual rhythm again the clacking of keyboards, the low murmur of calls.
But inside Amanda's chest, excitement pulsed like a heartbeat.
Every time Ericka looked at her across the room, Amanda saw not just her boss, not just her lover, but the woman she was about to ask to spend forever with.
And Ericka calm, confident, completely unaware smiled back at her from her office chair.
Amanda exhaled softly, whispering under her breath,
"Just two more weeks."