Rachel arrived just ahead of the morning rush. The elevator pinged open to Kohen's floor where her office was situated and she stepped out of it, a cup of coffee in one hand and her bag in the other.
"Morning, Greta," she said, pausing at the reception desk.
"Morning, Rachel. You're on time"
Rachel smiled, about to respond when a laugh penetrated the air. Her heart stopped. That laugh. That laugh.
It was unmistakable. Polished. Arrogant. Laced with the same venom that once turned high school into a personal hell.
"You alright?" Greta asked, eyeing the way Rachel's knuckles whitened around her coffee cup. "You're about to crush that thing."
Rachel blinked, forcing a tight smile as she eased her grip. "It's nothing," she replied. Her first instinct was to turn away, avoid whatever this was. But how long will she continue to let the past influence her life?
With that, she continued on to the office when-
"Rach?"
The voice was as sugary and grating as she remembered. Rachel turned slowly toward Kohen's glass-walled office. Inside, Kohen sat behind his desk, eyes on her. Beside him stood the last person she wanted to see.
Enola Brooks.
Of course.
Enola was as beautiful as ever, her once long brown hair had been cut to shoulder length, carrying visible highlights. Her blue dress stuck to her body like second skin, accentuating her figure and subtle makeup graced her face, alongside that saccharine smile that never quite reached her eyes.
"Oh my!-" Enola exclaimed, already gliding toward her. "You didn't tell me Rachel was back!" she said over her shoulder to Kohen.
"I just got in," Rachel replied in his stead.
Enola linked her arm through Rachel's like they were old friends, not former enemies. "You look exactly the same! This is such a surprise"
Rachel fought the urge to cringe. "You don't look bad yourself. But I've got to get going" Rachel said, freeing her arm from Enola's grip.
Kohen had always been oblivious to the negative tension between the two ladies.
"Nonsense!" Enola chirped, waving her free hand. "It's been years since we've been together like this. I'm sure Kohen won't mind if we catch up for a bit. I know!-" Her arm flailed mid-gesture, knocking the coffee from Rachel's hand. The cup tipped, scalding liquid spilling across Rachel's shirt.
She gasped, stumbling back as the heat hit her skin.
"Enola!" Kohen was on his feet instantly. "Be more mindful." he reprimanded before facing Rachel, "Are you okay?"
"I'll live" Rachel nodded "It's not hot enough to leave a burn"
"Oops. I was just going to suggest we do lunch" Enola said with no remorse.
"We have a busy day. I told you that already" Kohen pointed out
"I'll go clean this up," Rachel said, taking her leave.
In the bathroom, Rachel dabbed furiously at the stain, the damp paper towel doing little to help. Her skin was red, her shirt ruined, and her patience thinning. She tossed the towel in the trash, a sigh of frustration leaving her lips.
The door creaked open and Enola sauntered in, "Just popping in to say goodbye," she said.
Rachel glanced up. "Okay..?"
"You really are a joy to have around. Aren't you Rach?" Enola said sweetly, checking her makeup in the mirror.
"Wish I could say the same," Rachel muttered, buttoning her shirt.
Enola's expression shifted, the coy smile vanishing. "Stay away from him."
Rachel froze. "What?"
"You heard me." Enola closed the gap. "I don't know why you're here, but I can't have you ruining what we have."
"I don't know what you're going on about" Rachel said calmly.
Enola scoffed. "Funny. Because he'd spent the past years resenting you and I reveled in that. But the moment you're back, he's already jumping to your defense.. again". Rachel's hands fisted, anger simmering beneath her skin, "I want nothing to do with him."
"Good" Enola smiled. "Don't think for even a moment that you could just waltz back in and pick up where you left off or-" she traced a manicured nail around the stain on Rachel's shirt "-this burn would be the least of your worries".
"Don't flatter yourself," Rachel cut in. "You can't blame me if he's never seen you as anything more"
Enola threw her head back in a laugh. "Naive little Rach. You think he's been celibate all these years? Please". She wiped mock tears of joy from her bottom lash before schooling her expression. "He was in my bed the night you left."
The words stung more than they should've. But Rachel swallowed the emotion, forcing her voice steady. "Get out of my face."
Enola blinked, briefly startled. "Well, look who grew a spine."
"Glad you noticed." Rachel answered dryly.
Enola smirked. "Now I won't feel bad when I crush you this time. Ciao." She strutted out, leaving Rachel alone with the hiss of the faucet and a pounding heart.
When Rachel returned, Kohen glanced up, his eyes drifting to her shirt.
"The stain's still there."
Silence.
"I've got a spare shirt in my cupboard," he offered when she didn't respond.
"I don't need it," she said, her tone cutting sharper than intended.
Kohen's jaw tightened and he got to his feet. "We've got a presentation in fifteen minutes. If you want to walk into the room looking a mess at 9am in the morning, be my guest. If not, the shirt's in my cupboard." He brushed past her.
Rachel exhaled hard, rubbing her temple. The day had barely started, and it already felt like too much. She had no reason to be mad at Kohen, not now at least, but Enola's words had rattled her.
She opened the cupboard and pulled out a crisp, white shirt. His scent clung faintly to the fabric.
In a way, Enola was right.
Kohen had always come to her rescue. She felt the cloth between her fingers as her thoughts slipped back to the day they met, when everything was simpler. Before love. Before betrayal.
Before now.