Lilliam
The office was bustling as usual, but the atmosphere felt heavier than ever. I walked in, trying to keep my head down and focus on my work, but the whispers and stares were impossible to ignore. Ever since my argument with Owen and the subsequent breakdown in front of Zeff, things had taken a turn for the worse.
I tried to block it all out, concentrating on the reports piled on my desk, but my mind kept drifting back to that moment in the conference room—the way Zeff had held me, the warmth of his embrace, the intoxicating scent of him filling my senses. And then the kiss…
A shiver ran down my spine as I remembered how his lips felt against mine, the intensity of it all. It was like nothing I had ever experienced—exhilarating, consuming, almost like time had stopped, and there was nothing in the world except the two of us. The way his hands had gripped my waist, pulling me closer, the way his breath mingled with mine… it sent a rush of heat through my body just thinking about it.
But then, guilt flooded in, drowning out the excitement. What had I done? Owen was my boyfriend, the man I'd been with for years. We had our problems, sure, but did that give me the right to betray him like this? To let myself get swept away by another man?
I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath to steady myself. I felt torn in two—part of me still lingering in the memory of that kiss, craving more of what Zeff made me feel, while another part was weighed down by the guilt and confusion of what it all meant.
I couldn't shake the image of Owen's face, the hurt and anger in his eyes when we argued. He had his faults, but he didn't deserve this. He didn't deserve to be kept in the dark while I grappled with feelings for someone else.
I needed to get a grip. This was all too much. I buried my head in my hands, trying to block out the tumultuous thoughts swirling in my mind.
I sat down at my desk, my heart heavy with anxiety. I glanced beside me and saw Zeff at his desk, his eyes focused on his computer screen. I wondered if he was thinking about it too, if he felt the same turmoil I did. I quickly looked away, not wanting him to catch me staring.
How had things gotten so complicated? I thought about all the times I had spent with Zeff, the ease of our conversations, the comfort of his presence. He had been there for me when things with Owen were falling apart, and I had let myself lean on him, perhaps more than I should have. And now… now I was caught in this mess of feelings that I didn't know how to untangle.
The morning was a blur of meetings and tasks, but it was clear that something had changed. My colleagues, who once greeted me with smiles and friendly chatter, now seemed distant and cold.
"Hey, Liliam, can you handle this report for me?" one of the girls said, dropping a thick file on my desk without making eye contact.
I nodded, forcing a smile. "Sure, I can do that."
Not long after, another coworker approached. "Liliam, I need you to sort these documents by the end of the day. It's really important."
I glanced at the growing pile on my desk and felt a knot of stress tighten in my stomach. "I'll get to it," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.
It wasn't just the extra work. There were the comments, the snide remarks just loud enough for me to hear.
"She's always hanging around that new intern. No wonder she's behind on her work," someone whispered.
"Isn't she supposed to have a boyfriend? Guess she's looking for something else," another voice said, dripping with sarcasm.
I felt my cheeks burn with shame and anger, but I kept my head down, determined not to let them see how much their words hurt. The day dragged on, each minute feeling like an eternity. Every time I tried to catch up, another task was added to my list, making it impossible to stay afloat.
By lunchtime, I was exhausted. I wanted nothing more than to escape the toxic atmosphere of the office, but I knew I had to stay and push through. Just as I was about to grab my lunch and find a quiet corner, Zeff appeared at my desk, a takeout bag in hand and a wide grin on his face.
"Thought you might need this," he said, setting the bag down and looking at me with that disarming smile of his.
I forced a smile, trying to keep things light and casual. "Thanks, Zeff. You didn't have to."
"I wanted to," he replied, his eyes searching mine for any hint of how I was feeling. I could sense his concern, the way he seemed to always be watching me, gauging my mood. It was comforting, but also complicated.
I tried to keep our interaction formal, professional even, not wanting to give anyone more fuel for their gossip. "I appreciate it," I said, keeping my tone even. "But I really should get back to work. There's a lot to catch up on."
Zeff's smile faded slightly, replaced by a look of worry. "Liliam, you've been running yourself ragged. You need a break."
"I'm fine," I insisted, even though I wasn't sure I believed it myself. I could feel his eyes on me, feel the weight of his concern. There was a part of me that wanted to talk to him, to let it all out and tell him everything that was on my mind. But I couldn't.
I opened the takeout box and couldn't help but exclaim, "This is a lot! I can't eat all this!"
Zeff, sitting beside me, shrugged casually. "We can always share."
The familiar aroma of my meal wafted up, and despite everything that had happened, I felt my appetite return. There was something comforting about Zeff's presence, the way he seemed to know exactly what I needed, even when I didn't know it myself.
We began eating in comfortable silence, and for a moment, it felt like we were in our own little world, far away from the whispers and the judgments of the office. The stress of the day seemed to melt away, replaced by a sense of calm.
"This is really good," I said, savoring a bite. "Where did you get it from?"
Zeff chuckled. "There's this little place a few blocks from here. Thought you might like it."
I smiled, appreciating the thought he'd put into it. "You have good taste, I'll give you that."
"Good taste in food or company?" he teased, a playful glint in his eye.
I rolled my eyes, trying to keep the mood light. "Food, obviously."
Zeff laughed, the sound warm and genuine, and I felt a little of the tension between us ease. I was grateful for this—just a simple, normal conversation. It felt like we were back to how things used to be before everything got complicated.
"So," he said, leaning back in his chair, "any plans for the weekend?"
I shook my head. "Not really. Probably just catching up on some reading, maybe a movie. You?"
"Not much either," he replied. "Maybe go for a run, get some fresh air. Been thinking about hiking a bit."
I looked at him, surprised. "Hiking? In this weather?"
He grinned. "Why not? It's actually pretty refreshing. And it usually helps to clear the mind. You should come with me sometime."
I hesitated, my mind flashing back to the kiss we'd shared. I wasn't sure if that was a good idea. "I don't know, Zeff. Things are… complicated right now."
He nodded, his expression understanding. "I get it. No pressure. Just thought it might help. Sometimes getting out, being in nature, it helps put things into perspective."
I mulled over his words. He had a point. Maybe a change of scenery was exactly what I needed. "Maybe," I said, finally. "I'll think about it."
"Good," he said with a smile. "I'd like that."
We continued to eat, our conversation light and easy, carefully avoiding any mention of what had happened between us. It was like we were both tiptoeing around the subject, neither of us ready to face it head-on.
As lunch came to an end, I felt a little more relaxed, a little more at ease. Maybe things didn't have to be so complicated. Maybe, just for a little while, I could enjoy the company of someone who genuinely cared about me without overthinking every little detail.
"Thanks, Zeff," I said as we packed up the leftovers. "For lunch, and for… well, everything."
He smiled softly. "Anytime, Liliam. Anytime."