The following day, Natalie entered Pierce Industries with a feeling of fresh resolve. The dinner with Alexander had unsettled her more than she wanted to acknowledge, but she had made up her mind. Despite the strong attraction and tempting words, she was adamant about not giving in. She prioritised her career and was not willing to compromise her work with personal emotions.
Walking off the elevator and heading towards her desk, she prepared herself for the tension that always arose when she encountered him. However, the moment she took a seat, there was a noticeable change in the air.
The typical emails and memos were there as usual, but there was no communication from Alexander. No official request to come to his office, no mention of any work left from the previous night. Natalie brushed off the discomfort and started working, thinking that he might have been trying to give her some room after their intense dinner discussion. However, as time passed, Alexander still did not make an appearance.
In the middle of the morning, Natalie was 50% done with a presentation draft when her phone vibrated. On her screen, the name Alexander flashed as she received an email. She felt a momentary increase in her heart rate, a combination of excitement and fear. Natalie made the choice to check her mail.
"Ms. Sanders,
Please examine the projections provided and make sure the team is in sync for the upcoming meeting. There will be zero tolerance for any delays. I anticipate receiving a comprehensive report before 3 PM.
A. Pierce."
Natalie stared at the screen, reading the email again to double-check. "Is that all there is?" Natalie speaks to herself, realising that the message is purely business-related. Did he use this method to set boundaries? Was he truly ending everything after the blurred boundaries, personal tension, and almost confessing the night before?
For a brief moment, she experienced an unusual combination of feeling relieved and frustrated. Feeling reassured that things were possibly returning to their usual state. However, there was also frustration, as she had been anticipating something more, hoping that he would take further action. Awaiting his challenge to her determination.
She let out a sigh, closed the email, and started working. "If he wanted to maintain a strictly professional relationship, that's okay. I am able to deal with that. Indeed, I embraced it. I would concentrate on the job, concentrate on my goals, and disregard everything else." She whispered to herself quietly.
When 3 PM arrived, Natalie finished the entire report and emailed it to Alexander. Her work was not recognised or responded to in any way. Simply more quietness.
Evening came, and Natalie left without sighting Alexander at all. Just as she was going to open the door, her phone vibrated with the message "Hello, how are you?"
"I suppose it's okay." She replied via text.
Karen: "There is an issue." I recognise you; I am currently working; I will come visit right after work.
Natalie let out a sigh, feeling relieved that she would at least be able to talk to her friend.
"Anticipating your arrival." She responded.
Some minutes later, Karen arrived at Natalie's house. Karen took a seat, and Natalie handed her a cup of coffee, saying, "I'm here to listen, so go ahead and talk." Karen said.
Natalie took a sip of her coffee, speaking quietly. Karen, I explained to him that there was no possibility of anything happening between us. That dinner, it was really overwhelming. I believed he comprehended.
Karen leaned forward, showing worry. "Then, how did he react to it?"
He simply nodded in agreement, without disputing. However, things took a different turn following that. He has been very distant, as if a switch has been flipped. Now, it's purely business. No more long gazes, no stress. Simply... business."
Karen made a displeased expression. "What are your thoughts on that?"
Natalie let out a sigh while gazing at her cup. I suppose I am relieved. However, it is strange. A part of me longs for the connection, but deep down I understand it's necessary.
Karen reclined, folding her arms across her chest. "Do you feel its absence?" I believed you desired the limits.
Natalie raised her shoulders, her eyes wandering towards the window. I performed. I continue to do so. However, it's odd, don't you think? The connection between us was strong, but now we feel like we don't know each other. He no longer looks at me in the same way. It's as if he removed whatever used to be present.
Karen pondered, tilting her head. Perhaps he is attempting to honour your choice. "Allowing you some room."
Natalie softly replied, "Perhaps." However, it seems... chilly. I didn't anticipate that it would be painful in this way.
Karen nodded sympathetically. "Perhaps you were not as prepared to release as you believed."
As the night went on, they chose to discuss a different topic to distract Natalie from the situation.
The following day, the tension between them was too much to bear. Alexander was deliberately keeping his distance from her, communicating only via email or having short, abrupt talks during meetings. The noticeable distance between them was beginning to impact their collaborative efforts.
Natalie ought to have shown appreciation. This was precisely what she desired—to maintain a professional demeanor. Nevertheless, each time she encountered Alexander, she felt a tightening knot in her stomach. She couldn't get rid of the sense that something had permanently changed between them. There was no returning to the way things were previously.
In the afternoon, Natalie was putting the finishing touches on the agenda for a crucial client meeting when she got another email from Alexander.
"The office where I work. "10 minutes."
As she walked to his office, she experienced a familiar feeling of déjà vu, unsure if this meeting would result in yet another tense confrontation. Upon her arrival, Alexander stood behind his desk, examining several documents with a rigid and stiff posture.
"Shut the door," he instructed without lifting his gaze.
Natalie complied, inhaling deeply as she entered. The atmosphere was tense, yet Alexander's face was inscrutable.
"I looked over the estimates," he started, with a brisk and professional tone. "You did a good job."
Natalie gave a nod, feeling tightness in her chest. "I appreciate your gratitude."
After glancing at some additional pages of his document, his eyes moved over the figures until he gazed up at her. "But there's another issue I must speak about."
She felt a jolt in her chest, unsure if he was going to bring up their personal problems once more. However, when he talked, it was focused on work.
"I'm concentrating," she whispered, making eye contact with him. "You have no need to be concerned about that."
Alexander looked at her for a moment, with something indiscernible flickering in his eyes. However, he immediately averted his gaze and gave a single nod.
"Alright," he responded. I require my top employees to be on this project. I can't make any mistakes.
Natalie's expression remained neutral despite the hurtful words. "You will receive no less."
They paused for a moment, the atmosphere thick with unspoken tension, before speaking. It was evident that Alexander had made a decision. He was setting boundaries, maintaining a professional demeanour.
"Any other questions?" she enquired, maintaining a steady voice even with the intense moment.
Alexander once again had an expression that couldn't be interpreted as he shook his head. "That's. "You are dismissed."
Natalie nodded and went to exit, yet she paused just before reaching the door. She felt an urge to go back, to confront him again, to find out if his aloofness was genuine or simply a facade. However, she was aware of the truth.
She was determined not to be the first one to give in. If this was Alexander's desire, she would go along with it. She would maintain a purely professional attitude, regardless of how challenging the situation got.
After leaving his office and hearing the door shut, Natalie felt that the boundary between them had become more pronounced than before.