Office Games Just Got Real

Helen, still in Steph’s body, tapped her manicured nails against the desk, contemplating her next move. Adam hadn’t responded to her last text, and she could almost feel the panic radiating from his desk. Maybe she had gone too far too soon.

She let out a small sigh. 'Alright, maybe I should ease up a little. An apology might smooth things over.' Besides, it wasn’t fun if Adam completely shut down on her.

Glancing toward his desk, she noticed Adam trying his best to look busy, his shoulders unusually tense. Helen smirked and grabbed a printed document from Steph’s desk—some project report she hadn’t even glanced at. She stood up and called out in Steph's sweet but casual tone, “Hey, Adam, could you come here for a sec? I need a hand with something.”

Adam hesitated for just a second before getting up. 'Stay cool,' he told himself. He had been doing his best to shake off the awkwardness from Steph’s texts, but now she was calling him over? Unfortunately, he couldn't just ignore her call like he did with her texts. His legs carried him forward before his brain could come up with an excuse.

As he approached, Helen—still wearing Steph’s stunning features—tilted her head and gave him an almost sheepish smile. “Hey,” she said in a softer tone, lowering her voice so only he could hear. She slid the document toward him as a pretense, just to get Adam to lean in closer. As soon as Adam was hidden behind the half partition of Steph's desk space, Helen dropped her act.

“Hey,” she said in a quiet, almost conspiratorial tone. She leaned in slightly. “Listen… about earlier…”

Adam shifted uncomfortably. “Yeah?”

Helen tilted her head. Alright, let’s just rip off the band-aid.

“I was messing with you,” she admitted, her voice low enough that no one else could hear. She saw his confusion flicker for a split second before she continued. “Not Steph. Me. Helen.”

Adam froze, his brows knitting together. “Wait… what?”

Helen briefly smirked, enjoying his reaction. “It’s me, luv. I’m in Steph’s body. I figured I’d have some fun while I was here.” She watched as the gears in his head turned, his mouth slightly open as if to speak, but no words came out.

Adam blinked rapidly. “That’s—” He stopped, swallowed, and then started again. “You’re serious?”

She grinned. “Very.”

He stared at her, still struggling to process. His girlfriend—his actual girlfriend—was somehow inside his gorgeous coworker? So the flirtatious remarks from earlier weren't Steph's to begin with?

Helen giggled at his dumbfounded expression. “You should see your face right now.”

Adam finally found his voice. “Helen… what the hell? Didn't we do something at lunch already? Isn't that enough?” he hissed.

“I know, I know.” She waved a hand dismissively. “But come on, don’t tell me you didn’t enjoy that just a little bit?”

Adam groaned, rubbing his temples. “That’s not the point! How are you—why are you—” He exhaled sharply. “You possessed Steph just to mess with me?”

Helen shrugged. “Well... I wanted to see my boyfriend work... as well as what it feels like being the office bombshell,” she admitted playfully.

Adam opened his mouth, then closed it again. He had no idea how to respond to this.

And then—

“Adam?” a sharp, no-nonsense voice sliced through the air.

Adam froze.

His head snapped toward the source of the voice before he could even think.

Rena, his project manager, had just stepped out of her office. Her sharp eyes were scanning around the office space, searching for him with that same unreadable but authoritative expression she always wore. Like Steph, Rena was also relatively new to the company. If Adam remembered correctly, she was only in her late 20s, which explains her general 'no-nonsense' attitude towards her work. Today, she wore a sharp blue blazer, matching pencil skirt hugging her frame, and heels giving her an extra inch of height. Her red hair was pinned back neatly in a loose ponytail, although some loose strands signaled that she hadn't had the time for upkeep as the day went by.

He barely had time to process that before a soft thump sounded behind him.

His stomach twisted.

Adam whipped his head back around, eyes widening as Steph’s body slumped slightly in her chair.

“Steph?” His heart lurched, all thoughts of Rena vanishing as he instinctively reached forward, gripping Steph’s shoulders gently.

Her posture was loose, her head tilted forward slightly. Her eyes were half-lidded, unfocused, as if she had just woken from a deep sleep she hadn’t even realized she was having.

Adam tightened his grip. “Hey—Steph? Are you alright?”

She let out a faint murmur, blinking slowly.

Adam felt his pulse hammering in his ears. Just moments ago, she had been teasing him—well, Helen had been teasing him. But now, Steph just looked… vacant.

“Come on, talk to me,” Adam urged. He gave her a small shake, watching as her eyes finally started to refocus on him. “Do you know where you are?”

Steph’s lips parted slightly, her voice slow, hesitant, as if barely awake. “…Adam?”

Relief washed over him—until it was immediately replaced by unease.

Adam’s body tensed as a shadow loomed over him.

Something prickled at the back of his neck, an unsettling awareness that someone was perhaps standing too close.

Slowly, almost fearfully, he turned his head.

And nearly jumped.

Rena was right behind him; her face just mere inches from his. He could literally smell her perfume - a mix of citrus, rose, and herbal undertones, as well as her lingering coffee breath.

Adam’s breath caught in his throat.

His brain stuttered, trying to make sense of how she had gotten so close so quickly. She had been across the office just seconds ago, and still looking for him, no less.

And yet, here she was, standing directly behind him, her piercing brown eyes locked onto his with a stern look on her face.

Adam stiffened, the hairs on the back of his neck rising. It was as if he was petrified by her gaze, unable to quickly react.

Then—

Rena smirked.

Not a professional, polite smirk. Not the kind of tight-lipped expression she gave when she was dealing with incompetence in a meeting.

No.

This smirk was different. Familiar.

Adam’s stomach dropped.

Somehow, Adam could make out Helen's teasing demeanor behind those brown eyes.

Gotcha.