The remainder of the day flew by quickly, and upon arriving home, Alexander was welcomed by Isabella and his younger sister, Elara, who was still navigating her role in the family business, often preferring social events over business meetings. Elara, similar to her mother, took a lot of pride in the pierce name and didn't hesitate to express her views on who was "suitable" for their family. She recently returned from a trip.
"Mom, you're here." Alexander was taken aback as he saw his mother and asked with surprise.
"Is it necessary for me to obtain your permission prior to my arrival here?"
"I'm just surprised to see you here." Elara hugged him before he could finish speaking.
"You're not missing me at all." Elara interrupted.
"And you don't even inform me of your return," he replied with a scowl.
"Considered to give you a pleasant shock." Elara mentioned.
Alexander responded with "Yes, you did."
"I am not here for small talk, Alexander. Let's get to the point." Isabella interrupted with her voice.
"Regarding the event we discussed, have you made a decision about who you'll be bringing?"
"The event is rapidly approaching, you know." Isabella stated.
Alexander ran his hands through his hair, showcasing the stress and frustration on his forehead lines, while stating, "I will address that." He spoke
Isabella said, giving him a doubtful look, "You should definitely do it."
Walking up to his room without turning back, Alexander said, "I will go to my room now." Having experienced a difficult day at work, he now faces even more stress upon arriving home.
"You refuse to even chat with me, huh." Elara screams loudly when she notices him heading towards his room.
"Chat with mother." Alexander whispered complaints under his breath while walking.
…
The following day at work, Natalie and Alexander preserved the fragile equilibrium of their purely professional interaction.
However, despite appearing professional, Natalie couldn't overlook the persistent tension. She despised how she still dwelled on his mannerisms, like the flicker in his eyes when they met hers or the way he dominated any space he entered. His constant presence made it unavoidable to not notice him, lingering in her vicinity, always close but just beyond grasp.
Alexander found it just as difficult. It was harder than he thought to strictly focus on business matters. Perhaps simply... Perhaps he's reluctant to continue pushing her, and perhaps she will come to understand that it was no longer just about the physical attraction.
By evening, the office was beginning to slow down. The other members of the team had left; however, Natalie, as per usual, remained behind late. Alexander remained in his office, with the gentle light from his desk lamp shining through the glass divider. Natalie observed his tall, wide silhouette bending over papers, his forehead wrinkled in focus.
She let out a sigh before refocusing on the financial projections she needed to examine. However much she attempted to concentrate, her mind kept returning to thoughts of him. In what way can she work under these conditions? How was she able to come here daily, acting as if he didn't impact her, as if she wasn't acutely conscious of his every action, his every utterance?
A message on her phone disrupted her thoughts, causing her to snap out of her daydream. Looking down, she anticipated an email, but her heart raced when she found out it was from Alexander.
Visit my office. "I have to review the growth forecasts with you. —A. Pierce."
Despite the concise and formal nature of the message, her heart rate increased. For weeks, he had maintained a formal demeanour, but whenever he called her in this manner, it felt as though the barrier between them had been lifted.
Natalie got to her feet, straightening her skirt and inhaling deeply before walking towards his office. Knocking gently on the door, she entered after hearing his calm invitation to come in.
Alexander was seated at his desk with a neutral expression, gesturing for her to take a seat. "We must complete the global expansion strategies for the meeting tomorrow," he stated abruptly, pushing a folder toward her on the desk.
Natalie sat across from him, feeling her heart race as she unfolded the folder. She attempted to concentrate on the numbers in front of her, but her thoughts kept drifting. His cologne's scent, the sharpness of his shirt, and how his eyes occasionally glanced at hers were all too distracting. And the most terrible thing was that he appeared completely unimpacted. It was enraging.
"Everything seems fine," she stated, trying to keep her voice steady. "I've ensured that the financial forecasts are in line with the operational plans, and we have considered possible market changes in our risk assessment."
Alexander gave a nod while his eyes scanned the documents. Well. Have you made arrangements with the teams in other countries?
She responded, struggling to maintain a steady voice, confirming that she had communicated with our team in Singapore and they believe we can meet the deadlines as planned. Her goal was to come across as professional, competent, and unfazed. However, inside, her feelings were a chaotic mixture. How was he able to remain so composed while she was experiencing her whole world spiralling out of control?
"Excellent," he replied in a calm and remote voice. He looked at her, his expression blank. "Fantastic job, Natalie. "I am genuinely impressed by you."
In the midst of her inner conflict, she managed a tight smile, experiencing a surge of pride. "I am grateful for it."
A moment of quiet filled the air—a short break that lasted longer than expected. Natalie felt him looking at her, and when she looked up, their eyes connected. For weeks, they had been disregarding the strong attraction between them, but in a fleeting moment, it felt palpable in the atmosphere.
Nevertheless, Alexander quickly looked away, and his face turned serious. In the morning of tomorrow, we will present these to the board as our main focus. Make sure the team is prepared.
The moment disappeared in a flash.
Natalie felt tightness in her chest as irritation started to grow inside her. What enabled him to achieve that? How was he able to turn it off so effortlessly? She wanted to voice her thoughts and confront him, but she didn't know how to begin. Ultimately, she was the one who divided them by setting a boundary. She was the one who had declared that mixing boundaries was not permitted. In that instant, she appeared to be the only person struggling to maintain composure.
"Of course," she responded, standing up to leave. "I will ensure that all is ready."
Nevertheless, as she attempted to depart, Alexander's voice stopped her from leaving.
"Natalie.' He called out.