"Aren't we friends? We used to have meals together all the time. Since when did you start caring about what others say?" Hazel Morgan forced a smile, her eyes pleading as she looked at Martin Riley, the hurt in them almost overflowing.
Martin sighed. He had been so focused on work that he hadn't noticed Hazel's feelings, which she hadn't made obvious. It had been easy to just be friends. But now that he knew how she felt, and since he didn't feel the same way, it was better to be clear.
"That was then, this is now. I don't want to worry my wife," Martin said, seeing Hazel's persistence. "I'm her husband, and I should consider her feelings."
Hazel didn't know how she left Martin's office. By the time she came to her senses, she was standing outside the company building, looking up at the towering structure with tears in her eyes.
