#Chapter 19: Wagering My Freedom

There was absolute silence in the office. Even the music stopped. I stood and smoothed my skirt, trying to hold up my head. There was nothing I could do. I had indeed agreed, and picking a fight with Jessica in front of everyone wouldn't have been smart. Still, I didn't expect Charles to make such a thing of it, to expose his private affairs to the employees. As I walked through the cubicles, I heard Stan whisper, "Not as clean-cut as we thought, eh? Guess you'll need a new nickname." He gave me a wink. The rest of the office erupted in a hiss of whispering and giggles. I turned and looked back, and they stopped for a split second until I turned around again. There wasn't anything I could do, so I thought I'd go with it. As I the doors of the elevator closed I glanced back out and waved. A small "Get 'em girl!" responded, and then the doors closed. "I can't believe you would do this to him," Jessica said into the tense atmosphere of the elevator. "You've undermined hi