Rumors Stronger than Truth

Mike hunched over and slid against the wall trying not to be seen. He wished he had a newspaper,a book- anything. He opened his mobile and looked down at the picture of his girlfriend. _Ex-girlfriend now_, a nasty voice in his head reminded him.

Footsteps approached. _Please God, make me invisible._

"Here you are. Why are you over here, all alone?" Mike recognized Ben from Sales.

"That guy's a paedophile." Mike couldn't tell whose voice sailed throught the cubicles but it didn't matter. He still cringed.

"Paedophile?" Ben asked, surprised.

"I'm not a paedophile." Mike muttered. It was important to say it out loud. Otherwise he began to doubt himself.

"What's this all about, Mike?" Ben asked.

"Someone found some _questionable_ content on my computer and now the whole office thinks I'm a paedophile. I'm about ready to quit." Mike ran his hands through his hair and shook his head.

"That's. . . unpleasant. Who found it?"

"_They_ won't tell me. _They_ say it would be a breach of confidence."

"Hrmm."