Forbidden Passion

Two days later, Phoebe snagged a gym membership and some personal training sessions at the gym downstairs. Like most women, Phoebe was all about that strong and fit look. The same afternoon she got the membership, she hit the gym for a workout.

Phoebe was multitasking like a pro-working out, making phone calls. Her personal trainer was this guy named Derek Rivera.

While she was on the phone, Derek kept it low-key. He just showed her the exercises and had her follow along.

Once Phoebe hung up, she took off her Bluetooth headset.

Derek grabbed it with a big smile, "Ms. Ziegler, you're really busy, huh?"

Phoebe gave an apologetic smile, "Sorry, the company's just getting on track, so it's been a bit crazy. What exercise were we on again?"

Derek showed her the move again, and Phoebe followed along.

It had been a while since Phoebe last worked out. Even though Derek had set up a low-intensity recovery session, she was wiped by the end.

Her phone rang again. Phoebe took the Bluetooth headset from Derek, put it on, and answered the call, still catching her breath.

The person on the other end heard her heavy breathing and paused for a few seconds before asking, "Where are you? Why are you out of breath?" Hearing Theodore's voice, Phoebe stopped wiping her sweat and told Derek, "Let's schedule for next time."

"Alright, Ms. Ziegler, see you next time."

Phoebe wiped her sweat as she walked to the locker room, saying casually, "I'm at the gym. What's up, Mr. Reynolds?"

"What are you doing at the gym?" Theodore asked.

Phoebe replied, "Obviously, working out. What else would I be doing, checking out hot guys? If it's not important, I'm gonna hang up."

"Phoebe, you're such an ingrate." Theodore's teasing tone made Phoebe's heart skip a beat.

Phoebe scratched her ear, thinking the Bluetooth headset must be acting up, making her heart feel all weird. "Yeah, I'm an ingrate. What resources are you sending my way today, Mr. Reynolds?" "Will you ignore me if I don't give you any resources?"

Phoebe laughed, "How could I? Am I that shallow?"

Theodore chuckled and said, "I'm waiting for you in your office. Bye."

Before Phoebe could say anything, the call ended.

She took off the Bluetooth headset, wondering why Theodore had shown up again.

Phoebe pulled herself together, took a quick shower in the locker room, changed clothes, and left the gym with her hair still a bit damp, taking the elevator upstairs.

As she walked through the open office area, a bunch of people peeked out from behind their computers, smiling as they watched her walk by.

"Ms. Ziegler has such a great figure and still goes to the gym. Makes me feel guilty with all this fat," one slightly chubby girl said enviously before taking a big bite of cake. "But this cake is amazing!" Her colleague next to her rolled their eyes, "You always complain about being fat but can't stop eating. Who else would be fat if not you?"

"Who can resist delicious food?" the slightly chubby girl said blissfully. "By the way, Mr. Reynolds sends desserts every day. Is he trying to fatten up Ms. Ziegler so no one else will want her?"

"Don't you think Ms. Ziegler is too skinny now? She might be more comfortable to hug if she gains some weight," the colleague said, rubbing their chin with a greedy look.

The slightly chubby girl smacked her colleague on the head, "Get your mind out of the gutter. If Ms. Ziegler knew you were fantasizing about her, she'd fire you." Phoebe walked into her office and saw Theodore lounging on the custom-made sofa, flipping through a magazine.

Hearing the door open, Theodore looked up.

He had a high nose and deep-set eyes, with a calm and profound gaze. When he looked at her so intently, his eyes seemed full of affection.

Phoebe paused for a moment, then walked over with her gym bag and sat on the sofa opposite Theodore.

"Mr. Reynolds, what an honor to have you here. Why didn't you let me know in advance so I could greet you at the door?"

Theodore curled his lips, his gaze falling on her damp hair.

Phoebe had just showered and wasn't wearing makeup. Her complexion was flawless, with a natural radiance that seemed to glow from within. "Why didn't you dry your hair?" Theodore said.

Phoebe lazily leaned back on the sofa, resting her chin on her hand, "I didn't want to keep you waiting."

Hearing this, Theodore didn't take her politeness seriously. He glanced at the coffee table and said lightly, "Where's the hairdryer?"

"There is no hairdryer," Phoebe said.

Theodore narrowed his eyes, got up, walked to the door, and called Lori over, instructing her unceremoniously, "Go downstairs and buy a hairdryer." Lori was speechless.

Through the open door, Lori saw Phoebe's wet hair draped over her shoulders and immediately understood. "The fashion team next door has a hairdryer. I'll borrow it." With that, Lori ran off.

Theodore leaned against the door, waiting.

Phoebe sighed, "Mr. Reynolds, you are ordering my subordinates to do things for you. I pay her a high salary, not to run errands for you."

"Well, should I pay her salary then?" Theodore said with a playful tone.

Phoebe was speechless.

Lori quickly returned with the fashion team's hairdryer, respectfully handing it to Theodore.

Theodore took it and said to Lori, "Ms. Ziegler said I'll be paying your salary from now on."

Lori was stunned for a second, then peeked into the office, quickly understanding it was a playful exchange between a couple. Before Phoebe could say anything, she quickly said, "Thank you, my new boss." Theodore was speechless.

Seeing Theodore close the office door, Phoebe's eyes flashed with amusement and she thought to herself, 'Lori, you're something else. I'll give you a raise later!'

Theodore brought the hairdryer over, glanced around the coffee table, found an outlet, plugged it in, and beckoned to Phoebe.

Theodore said with a beaming smile, "Come here."

Phoebe pursed her lips slightly. It seemed Theodore was determined to dry her hair today. She knew Theodore too well, so she obediently went over, sitting sideways on the sofa.

Phoebe, wearing a white shirt today, had her wet hair dampening the back of her clothes, the fabric appearing semi-transparent, revealing the beautiful shape of her prominent shoulder blades. Theodore's gaze lingered on Phoebe's back, momentarily deep.

On many nights past, he would embrace Phoebe from behind, gazing at her graceful figure, unable to resist planting kisses.

Phoebe waited for a while but didn't feel Theodore doing anything.

She said in confusion, "Mr. Reynolds, aren't you going to dry my hair?"