People think that when you have a secret relationship at work, the worst part is the furtive glances, the "casual" touches at the coffee machine, or the stress of maintaining composure when all you want to do is fuck your employee against the photocopier. What nonsense. The really fucked-up thing is when someone starts to suspect, especially when that someone is your number 2 and sits right across from you in the most important meetings.

It all started with a glance. A damn glance that lasted exactly 0.3 seconds longer than professionally acceptable. We were in the Monday meeting, I was explaining why the last sprint had been a disaster (not because of my team, but because of those idiots in infrastructure), when Alex looked up from his laptop and smiled at me. It wasn't just any smile - it was one of those smiles that he only gives me, the ones that make his cheek dimple and his eyes shine in a specific way.

And I, like the asshole I am, smiled back at him. 0.3 seconds. That was all it took.

But it was enough for Laura, sitting right across from me, to raise her eyebrows and look at me with a slightly furrowed brow. I saw her eyes go from Alex to me, and then back to Alex, and I knew we were fucked.

"Anyway," I continued, getting back to the topic, "we need to redo the entire security layer. Any questions?"

No one said anything, except Laura, who cleared her throat. "M, can we talk after the meeting? I have some questions about the project."

"Sure," I replied, and I noticed how Alex tensed up slightly to my right. I had noticed it too.

When everyone was leaving, Laura stayed behind. Alex gave me a questioning look, and I subtly shook my head. Message received: leave and act normal.

"What's up?" I asked when we were alone. "What questions do you have?"

Laura took her time, rearranging her notes, closing her laptop. Then she looked at me directly, with that expression that says "I know more than you think."

"I don't have questions about the project," she said finally. "I have questions about you and Alex."

"Alex and me?" I repeated, with my best confused face. "What's going on with us?"

"Come on, M," she sighed. "I've been watching you two for weeks. The glances, the 'coincidences' of schedules, how you always sit together... And that smile you just gave him..."

"You mean the smile I give to an employee who does a good job? Sorry if that seems suspicious to you," I replied, maybe a bit too defensively.

Laura raised an eyebrow. "I've known you for five years, M. I've seen you do a thousand things, but smiling at an employee isn't one of them."

I had to admit that Laura was good. But I was better. And unlike other times, this time I had too much to lose not to act.

"Laura," I said, leaning forward, "I appreciate your concern, but I think you're seeing things that aren't there."

"M, I'm not an idiot....