Joel smiled at the compliment, but Regina was already planning her next move.
___
Joel Rivers' office window, barely softening the tight frown on his face as he reviewed a stack of reports.
A knock tapped on the door. Without looking up, Joel muttered, "Come in."
His assistant, stepped inside holding an envelope. "Sir... this just came in. It's urgent."
Joel took the envelope and tore it open carelessly. As his eyes moved over the content, his expression shifted from fatigue to sharp confusion, then simmering anger.
It was a resignation letter—from Camilla.
___
Meanwhile, on the other side of the floor, Regina walked briskly down the corridor, high heels clicking on the polished tiles.
Her expression was unreadable, but there was purpose in her stride. She reached Camilla's office and opened the door without knocking.
What she saw stopped her cold.
Camilla was standing by her desk, carefully packing her things into a box her framed photos, awards, and even the tiny white orchid she always kept by her computer.
"Camilla?" Regina's voice was a mix of disbelief and suspicion.
"What is going on?"
Camilla didn't stop packing. She gave a tired smile. "I'm leaving, Regina."
Regina blinked. "Leaving? Andersons Group?"
"I've worked here long enough," Camilla said, folding a silk scarf and placing it gently in the box. "It's time I returned to my parents."
Regina stepped further into the room, her eyes scanning the nearly empty shelves.
"Since when do you make decisions like this without telling me first? You're not just leaving a job you're walking out of the very circle you helped build."
Camilla looked at her, her eyes cool.
"Maybe that's exactly why I need to go. I need to remember who I was before all of this. Before we all got caught up in… power games and regrets."
Regina's jaw tightened. "Does this have anything to do with Canary?"
Camilla paused for a second just a second and then continued packing.
"No," she said quietly. "It has everything to do with me."
___
The designers' office was still quiet when Canary stepped in. Sunlight poured through the tall windows, casting long streaks across the desks.
He walked to Lisa's workstation, sat down in her chair, and began flipping through the neatly arranged design files like he belonged there—which, in some ways, he did now.
He hadn't told anyone he'd be arriving early. He simply wanted a moment alone. Or maybe… a moment with her.
The door creaked open softly. Lisa stood there in her usual casual pants and sneakers, a sketchbook in her arm and hesitation in her eyes.
She froze.
He looked up slowly, eyes meeting hers with a calm smile. "Lisa."
She stepped in, carefully shutting the door behind her. "Hey…"
"Come here," he said gently, extending a hand.
She walked over slowly, lips pressing together in a nervous line.
As she reached him, he tugged her gently down onto his lap.
"Canary!" she whispered, glancing at the door. "Someone might see us!"
He chuckled softly, his voice near her ear. "Everyone already knows about us."
Lisa's eyes widened. "What?"
"I thought you should know. People talk, Lisa. Even when you try to hide something like this, they figure it out."
She crossed her arms but stayed where she was. "So much for trying to keep things professional."
"Well," he said with a grin, "at least now I get to look at your pretty face all day."
That made her laugh—loud, open, and real. The kind of laugh she only let out when she forgot to be cautious.
Right then, the door burst open.
Simon and Gladys stepped in, mid-conversation—until they both stopped short.
Lisa flew off Canary's lap like she'd been caught stealing.
"Hey," Simon said, his brows raised in amusement.
Gladys grinned and tilted her head. "Sorry—should we come back later?"
Lisa, flustered, grabbed her sketchbook and started pretending to look for something on her desk.
"No—uh, we were just going over the new layouts…"
Canary leaned back in the chair, perfectly unbothered.
Simon smirked, exchanging a look with Gladys.
Lisa shot Canary a warning glance that only made him smile wider.
Canary stood up smoothly, brushing down his sleeves with calm authority.
"You two took your time with lunch," he said, casting a glance toward Simon and Gladys as they entered.
Simon frowned. "We came back right on time."
Canary gave a brief nod. "Then start aiming to return earlier than expected. It sets a better rhythm for the day."
His tone wasn't harsh, but it was enough to make both of them straighten a bit.
Gladys tilted her head. "Didn't realize we were being timed now."
"No one's timing you," Canary said evenly. "But leadership notices patterns—especially the subtle ones."
He then turned and walked back to his desk at the corner of the office, where he'd set his tablet and a stack of reviewed documents. Without another word, he sat down, adjusted the screen, and resumed his work, slipping seamlessly back into focus.
Lisa, still at her station nearby, tried to ignore the lingering buzz in her chest from moments earlier.
Her pen tapped against the page of her sketchbook, but her mind kept drifting back to the way he looked at her, like she was the only thing in the room.
Simon and Gladys exchanged a look before settling in no more jokes, no more side comments. When Canary was in the room, even casual air carried weight.
___
That evening Canary left the office before everyone. When he was in the packing he thought of lisa and before getting into his car he decided to text her.
' It's already quiting time, Com find me at the parking.'
The message said.
As he was still like that, he heard
Footsteps echo against the pavement. He looked up.
Regina approached, her heels clicking sharply, arms crossed tightly. Her eyes burned with a mixture of resentment and something more personal old wounds not yet healed.
"I didn't expect to see you back so early," she said, voice smooth but icy.
Canary gave a half-chuckle, one that didn't reach his eyes.
Regina's gaze sharpened. "Did you hear about Camilla?"
He tensed slightly. "No."
"She resigned. Turned in her letter to Joel this afternoon."
Canary's brow furrowed. " Ohh"
Regina took a step closer, her voice dropping. "You broke her heart."
He met her gaze evenly. "That's not fair."
"Fair?" Regina laughed bitterly, eyes narrowing. "You think it's about fairness? You led her on. Made promises you never intended to keep. Just like you did with me."
Canary's jaw clenched. "That's in the past, Regina."
"Oh, is it?" Her voice turned sharp, almost cutting. "I'm still the one picking up the pieces while you parade around like you're untouchable."
"You don't get to play the victim here," Canary said coldly. "You walked away."
"Maybe I did," she replied, stepping closer, "but unlike Camilla, I didn't stay around waiting for you to decide if I mattered."
He inhaled deeply, trying to keep his temper in check. "Camilla shouldn't be part of this."
Regina's eyes flashed with anger.
" You will never change. Canary.." She spoke.