Natalie's heart raced in her head while Alexander's inquiry lingered in the atmosphere, his eyes penetrating her. The tension sparked between them, causing a lack of clear thinking. What is it that you desire? It was a straightforward question, but carried significant repercussions.
She was speechless for an extended period. Her heart yelled one message, her mind a different one. She had put in a lot of effort to establish a career that she was satisfied with. However, as she sat facing Alexander and met his penetrating blue gaze, she realized their relationship had shifted into new territory.
She paused, her hands firmly holding onto the chair's edge. Before uttering them, she was already aware of the impact her words would have. "I would like to be truthful, however... I am uncertain about where this will go.
Alexander reclined in his seat, his expression inscrutable as his gaze continued to blaze with equal fervor. "Nor do I," he confessed, speaking quietly yet without harshness. However, I am aware that I cannot continue to act as if nothing is occurring.
Natalie sensed the ground move below her, as if they were headed down an irreversible path. She longed to convey more, yet each word seemed capable of tipping the scales too much in either direction.
"I simply don't want this to destroy everything," she eventually mentioned, her voice now softer.
Alexander's jaw tightened a little, showing he grasped the gravity of her words. I would never do something to put your position at risk, Natalie. "This is not what it is about."
She could sense his genuine intent, however it didn't alleviate the situation. Stepping over this boundary, recognizing the increasing connection between them— it might cause complications. And still, wasn't it already quite complex?
Without waiting for her response, Lucas barged into the office without knocking, carrying a folder of documents. Natalie quickly straightened up in her seat, prompting Alexander to revert back to his professional attitude.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Pierce, but I require your signature on these documents before the board meeting," Lucas said, looking at Natalie for a moment before placing the papers on Alexander's desk.
Alexander gave a quick nod. "Lucas, I appreciate it." "I will see to it."
The abrupt interruption caused a pause in the tense vibe between them, giving Natalie a brief respite. She promptly rose to her feet, realizing that this conversation wouldn't be resolved in just one sitting. There were too many items to go through, and they were currently on the edge of a situation they couldn't fully handle.
"I have to go back to work," she murmured, her voice belying her lack of confidence.
Alexander observed her standing up, but he made no effort to convince her to stay. "We're not done yet, Natalie," he spoke firmly yet kindly.
She nodded and quickly exited the office, sensing her heart racing in her chest.
While seated at her workstation, Natalie tried to focus on her tasks, but she couldn't stop thinking about her conversation with Alexander. Every time she looked at her phone or saw his name in an email, her heart rate increased. She couldn't resist any longer, feeling an irresistible magnetic attraction that pulled them together.
During the day, Natalie started to revert to her usual habits, but she couldn't get rid of the lingering stress. At 5 p.m., feeling mentally drained, she decided to leave work early and head home.
In a penthouse across the city, Alexander gazed at the city lights. The memory of the discussion with Natalie stayed with him, as he recalled her gaze and the emotional tone in her voice.
Running his hand through his hair, he felt a strange feeling of unease. His plans did not meet his expectations. His interaction with anyone at the company, particularly Natalie, was not intended. She was intelligent, ambitious, and attractive, but what truly set her apart was the distinctive effect she had on him in comparison to others.
The vibration of his phone on the table disrupted his train of thought. The message was sent by his mother.
Mother: "What do you say to having a meal together next week? We must talk about what lies ahead for you. This time, there are no explanations given."
Alexander gritted his teeth, feeling annoyed. His parents were urging him to find a suitable spouse from their social circle in order to settle down. However, the only woman who caught his interest was the final individual they would endorse.
He sensed his frustration bubbling beneath the surface before tossing the phone away. His primary emphasis had consistently been on overseeing the business, decision-making, and controlling his feelings. However, he sensed his control weakening whenever Natalie was present. He was frightened by it.
He realized the significance of making a choice, but every time he considered backing out, he inexplicably felt drawn nearer to her.
The following day, the deep yet unspoken connection between Natalie and Alexander keeps getting stronger. Yet both are shying away from in-depth discussions, however the noticeable tension between them is constantly present, brimming with a subtle force they cannot disregard.
During the afternoon, as Natalie was finishing up a report, she felt her phone vibrate after receiving a new message from Alexander.
Alexander: "Dinner tonight. We have to talk about quarterly projects."
Upon reading the message, she felt a flurry of both anticipation and anxiety in her chest, leading to a quickened heartbeat.