Chapter 8
Laura
The aroma of brewed coffee wafts through the air as I step into the break room, my mind still swirling with thoughts of Mr. De La Cruz and those piercing blue eyes.
I pour myself a mug of coffee, hoping the caffeine will knock some sense into me. This is ridiculous. He is my boss, for crying out loud. I have to stop this nonsense before I make a fool of myself.
As I add creamer to my coffee, Valerie breezes into the room. “Morning Laura! You’re in early again today.” She flashes me a knowing smile and grabs a mug from the cabinet.
Here is my chance. I have to tell someone before I burst. “Can I talk to you for a minute? In private?”
Valerie’s eyebrows rise, but she nods, following me to a corner of the break room. I take a deep breath, wondering how to even say the words aloud. “I think I’m developing feelings for Mr. De La Cruz.”
Valerie inhales sharply, nearly dropping her mug of coffee.
“Oh honey, that’s not good.” She bites her lip, searching for the right words.
“You know he has a reputation for being tough on his assistants. If something happened between you two and then didn’t work out, he might make your life miserable. I don’t want to see that happen.”
She is right, of course. This is a terrible idea that can end in disaster. But how am I supposed to ignore these feelings when I see him every day? I sigh, stirring my coffee pensively. Valerie places a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Just be careful, okay? Guard your heart.”
That afternoon, I find it impossible to concentrate on the stack of briefs in front of me. My mind keeps wandering to Mr. De La Cruz, remembering the way he smiled at me this morning and thanked me for the coffee.
When Valerie walks by my desk, I can’t contain myself. “We have to talk about this. I can’t stop thinking about him!”
Valerie glances around. “Not here,” she whispers. “Meet me in the break room after work.”
The minutes tick by slowly until 5 o’clock rolls around. Valerie is already waiting in the break room, two mugs of coffee in front of her.
“Laura, listen to me,” she says. “Getting involved with Mr. De La Cruz is a terrible idea. Remember what happened to Jenna in accounting?”
I wince, recalling how Jenna dated one partner before things ended badly. She was demoted and ended up leaving the firm.
“Or Tom in HR?” Valerie continues. “He dated his manager, and she completely destroyed his reputation after they broke up. He’s still trying to pick up the pieces.”
“I get it,” I say with a groan. “Workplace romance is a nightmare.”
“Exactly.” Valerie squeezes my hand. “You’re too good at your job to risk it all for a fling. Promise me you’ll avoid acting on these feelings.”
She is right, as usual. My career is more important than some crush.
“I promise,” I tell her. “I’ll stay far away from trouble.”
Valerie smiles, relieved. “Good. Now, do you want to get dinner? We can find you a nice, single man with no power to ruin your life.”
I laugh and loop my arm through hers. “Yes, please. Save me from myself!”
Valerie laughs, her eyes sparkling with humor. “Alright, let me tell you about my own mistake so you can learn from it.”
She takes a sip of coffee and gazes out the window, her expression turning wistful. “A few years ago, I dated this lawyer from the Mergers and Acquisitions team. Thomas. He was charming, smart, and we had great chemistry.”
Valerie shakes her head with a rueful smile. “After we broke up, he started spreading vicious rumors about me. He said I only got my job by sleeping with the partners and that I didn’t do any work.”
I gasp, shocked at the malice. “That’s awful! What did you do?”
“At first, it devastated me,” she admits. “My reputation was damaged and people treated me differently. But then I marched into HR and reported his behavior. They investigated and found out he’d done it before to other women.”
Valerie’s eyes hardens. “Thomas was fired, and the partners issued an apology and statement clearing my name. It was still difficult, but I refused to let some jerk ruin my career.”
“I’m so sorry you went through that,” I say. My heart ached for my friend, even as I admired her strength.
Valerie gives me a wry half-smile. “The point is, you can’t predict how people will react after a breakup. No matter how charming or kind they seem, it’s just not worth the risk. Protect yourself and your career, Laura. Don’t make the same mistake I did.”
Her words echo in my mind, a sobering reminder of what is at stake. Valerie is right—when it comes to Mr. De La Cruz, I will stay far away from trouble. My career depends on it.
Valerie watches me, gauging my reaction. “I can tell this is sinking in for you. That’s good—you’re too smart and dedicated to throw it all away for a fling.”
“You’re right,” I say. “I value my job and reputation too much. No man, no matter how charming, is worth jeopardizing that.”
Valerie smiles, relieved, and squeezes my hand. “I’m glad we had this talk. You know I only want the best for you.”
“I know,” I say, “and I appreciate your honesty more than I can say. You’ve helped me gain some much-needed perspective.”
My friend has done me a real favor, even if the message is hard to hear.
While the idea of a romance with Dallas has seemed thrilling and irresistible before, now I see it for what it truly is—a recipe for disaster that I am better off avoiding altogether.
Valerie has saved me from myself, and for that, I will be forever grateful.