Chapter 13:" can I make it right"..

The cubicle crackled with tension-the air was now thick with unspoken words. Lean squared her shoulders, her gaze locked on Debra's office .

Lara leaned forward, curiosity etched on her face. "Lean, are you--".

Alley cut in, her voice dripping with disdain. "Gay? She is." She knew Lean once had a crush on her ,but her upgrade was what hurt her the most , the project manager was in love with Lean ,she could see it .

Lean's breath caught. The room waited-an audience to her truth. She had never hidden her identity, but this felt like an unwarranted intrusion, but she had to answer anyway.

"I am," Lean said, her voice steady. "And it has nothing to do with this project, so let's focus ."

Alley smirked. "Maybe it explains your obsession with efficiency."

Lean's anger flared. "Efficiency isn't exclusive to sexual orientation ,and you're gay too ,so I don't get the point of you attacking me"..

The room shifted as the other colleagues exchanged glances. Debra sat in her office, her expression unreadable. She could hear what the colleagues were talking about,and she hated it whenever someone hurt lean's feelings on purpose.

Jeffrey leaned closer. "You're lucky to have found someone like Debra"

Lean's heart stuttered. "Umm Debra and I—"

Alley laughed. "Just friends, right?"

Lean hesitated. "We're--"

But that did not sit well with Debra , Debra stood, her voice firm. "Ain't we more than that."

The room held its breath. Debra's gaze met Lean's-a wish , a revelation. They had danced around their feelings-their shared sunsets, their coffee breaks ,the late night drives..

Luis's eyes widened. "You two--"

Debra cut him off. "We're in love, atleast that's what I think , but Lean is still denying it ,and I won't push it"..." And address me as Ma'am, you can't be addressing me as "you" we ain't friends ".. Debra said ,she knew Luis loves making other workers feel belittled .

In this moment, Lean realized-the fight, the question-it all led to this. She had never been good at hiding her emotions, and now, in the cubicle's spotlight, she chose the truth.

Alley felt annoyed hence she went back to her cubicle,and everyone eventually settled down to continue with work.

"Are you okay?" Debra asked as she was now standing next to Lean's cubicle.

Lena nodded. "I am."

As Lean and Debra were standing together,their colleagues leaned in,exchanging hushed comments. Some had suspected their connection from that day Lean got back to work after being fired , while others were, genuinely surprised. The revelation had disrupted the usual office routine.

Those who knew Debra and what Clarissa had done to her expressed genuine happiness. They had witnessed her transformation-the way Lean's presence had softened her edges and made her love again. They silently rooted for their happiness.

For Lean, this revelation meant more than just coming out. It was a declaration of vulnerability-a risk she had taken for love.

Some colleagues admired her courage, while others wondered how it would impact her professional image , especially if the board members happen to be homophobic.

Lean knew that in the following days the office will be buzzing with speculation. But amidst the gossip and raised eyebrows, Lean knew that she won't let that disturb her work ...

" Can I make it right " Debra said with eyes filled with love and loneliness.

"How do you intend to do that?"

" Was gonna say let's go out for dinner but someone beat me to that already..."

She's still jealous!!

"So...?"

" How about a weekend drive , like that night ,but no clothes are going to be removed ,I promise" Debra said with a raised eyebrow, fighting the edge to bite her lip ..

Lean felt shy , she knew what Debra had just done there.

" Fine ..a drive it is ..." Lean replied avoiding Debra's eyes " now please excuse me ,I have work to finish "...

" Sure , " Debra said while winking at Lean.

Lean chuckled...

I guess the day turned out great after all

To be continued....