I never cared for romance\u2014it always seemed like a fantasy, something from movies, not real life. Then came the mysterious gifts\u2014flowers, chocolates, books I wanted. No name, just a secret admirer who knew too much. Someone was watching. But who?<\/p>\n
Romance never made sense to me. The grand gestures and happy endings felt staged, not real. Love didn\u2019t work that way\u2014at least, that\u2019s what I thought\u2014until someone decided to prove me wrong.<\/p>\n
One day at work, I froze when I saw a bouquet on my desk. A note read, “Your smile brightens my days.” No name.<\/p>\n
“Did anyone see who brought this?” I asked.<\/p>\n
Robert, my favorite coworker, shook his head. “I was the first here.”<\/p>\n
Brian, my least favorite coworker, smirked, “Someone actually noticed you exist.”<\/p>\n
I rolled my eyes. “Do you have to be like that?”<\/p>\n
Robert teased, “Jealous the bouquet isn\u2019t for you?”<\/p>\n
I thanked Robert and pushed the flowers aside to focus on work. The office was tense, as we were all vying for a single project funding. Brian thrived on competition, getting under my skin. But I couldn\u2019t let him\u2014or Robert\u2014win. I had to prove I belonged and was just as good as the men.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I never cared for romance\u2014it always seemed like a fantasy, something from movies, not real life. Then came the mysterious gifts\u2014flowers, chocolates, books I wanted. No name, just a secret admirer who knew too much. Someone was watching. But who? Romance never made sense to me. The grand gestures and happy endings felt staged, not…<\/p>\n