Her hand was still on the door handle as she stood frozen, her heart beating rapidly. Gradually, she pivoted to meet his gaze.
His mask momentarily faltered. His demeanor became gentler, and there was a hint of vulnerability and inner conflict in his eyes. Before she could fully process it, he cleared his throat and got up, moving towards the front of his desk. Her heart raced due to the closeness.
"We've had a good working relationship over the last few weeks," he stated, maintaining a professional tone, despite a slight hint of tension. I simply want to ensure we are in agreement as we move ahead.
Natalie felt her stomach churning. Did this represent him confirming the limits? Did he hint to her that they were merely coworkers? She was unable to discern. However, the doubt ate away at her.
"Absolutely," she responded, attempting to appear nonchalant. However, she could detect a small shake in her voice.
Alexander looked at her for a bit too long, making her aware of the unspoken tension filling the space between them. However, he refrained from exerting pressure and did not yield to any underlying tension.
"Okay," he uttered in conclusion, taking a step back to create more distance between them. "That's it for this evening."
Natalie's throat constricted as she swallowed. She nodded, turned to go, but didn't glance back this time. Upon leaving his office, she was filled with a jumble of frustration, desire, and confusion.
While cooking dinner at home, Natalie received a message from Karen on her phone.
Karen stated "I will be absent from town for a few months. "Is something wrong?" Natalie replied with an anxious expression in her message.
Karen texted back "Some individuals have to be relocated to the southern region because there is a lot of work to be completed, and am one of those individuals who will be going".
Natalie " feeling very sad right now, why did they have to reappoint you."
Karen: "I agree, but it's a work call and the people in the south really depend on us. It's only temporary, I'll be back after a few months."
We need to see each other before you leave, already feeling your absence. Natalie responds to the message with a frown emoji.
"Sure thing, sweetie," Karen replied via text.
…
Natalie dedicated the following days to regaining her calmness, but found it to be harder than expected.
Working on the company's largest expansion project meant they were spending more time together than before, which didn't make things easier. Their exchanges were purely professional, yet the underlying tension between them had reached a point of almost unbearable. Each time he looked at her or touched her hand while passing her a document, it felt like an electric jolt, causing her heart rate to increase.
However, he stayed the epitome of professionalism. If Alexander experienced the same tension as she did, he never displayed it. He was aloof, collected, and detached. The impenetrable emotional barriers he had built between them were making her go crazy.
Today was just the same. They were in a different meeting, reviewing the last aspects of the expansion plan. Natalie listened to him discuss logistics with an international team leader while sitting across from him at the lengthy conference table, listening while he discussed logistics with one of the international member. She attempted to pay attention to the discussion, but her thoughts kept returning to the previous occasion they were by themselves in his office—the way he gazed at her, the moment of vulnerability she witnessed in his eyes before he reverted to his cold, professional manner.
She mentally shook herself, redirecting her focus to the present moment. This was not the moment to lose focus. They were nearing the end of the project, and errors were not an option. However, actually doing it was more difficult than just talking about it.
Alexander's calm and authoritative voice reassured us that everything was in order from our perspective. We simply have to complete the contracts and obtain approval from the legal department.
Natalie gave a nod and wrote something on her tablet. "I will contact the legal department later today," she stated calmly, despite feeling her heart race every time he talked.
"Okay," Alexander responded, glancing at her eyes briefly before focusing back on the documents in front of him.
The meeting ended shortly after, and Natalie got her stuff ready to go while the rest of the team left the room. Just as she was standing there, Alexander's voice made her pause.
Natalie, could you remain here briefly?
She felt a moment of excitement, but maintained a blank face while looking at him again. "Definitely."
Alexander didn't speak again until after the last person had exited the room. He remained standing, leaning on the conference table with his arms crossed.
"We have to discuss the investor presentation happening next week."He claimed in a professional tone, yet his gaze caused her heartbeat to increase. "I aim to ensure that everything is flawless."
"Sure," she answered, moving towards the table and bringing up the presentation outline on her tablet. "I have begun working on the presentation slides, and I will share the first draft with you by tomorrow."
"Okay," he commented, extending his gaze on her for a brief moment more than needed. This presentation is crucial. If we can successfully obtain this round of funding, it will be the last step needed for the expansion project to be completed.
Natalie nodded, experiencing a glimmer of pride. I believe we will receive the assistance required. The numbers are self-explanatory.
"They do," Alexander concurred, though his demeanor stayed solemn. He walked away from the table, heading to the windows, with his back turned to her. "It isn't solely about the figures." The investors must have faith in us— in the vision.
Natalie's expression turned into a frown as she was uncertain about the direction of the situation. "What are you talking about?"
Alexander looked at her again, his gaze impossible to read. I'm suggesting that we should show a unified stance. We must demonstrate to them that this company is steady, determined, and has a specific path.
Natalie responded, acknowledging her understanding as she felt a tightness of tension in her stomach. "I believe we have already proven that."
Alexander's eyes lightened slightly, causing her heart to beat faster. "Did we?" he inquired softly. Have we allowed personal distractions to hinder our progress?
Natalie was momentarily speechless as her breath hitched in her throat. Did he mean the tension between them? After weeks of denying its existence, was he finally admitting to it?
"I don't understand what you're saying," she whispered softly, even though they both recognized it as dishonest.
Alexander's jaw clenched, and he moved one step nearer, his gaze fixed on hers. "You understand precisely what I'm trying to convey, Natalie."
She felt her heartbeat thumping in her chest, and for a moment, she almost gave in to the urge to reveal everything—to confess the struggle she faced in staying professional, how challenging it was to uphold the boundaries between them every day. However, she was unable to do so. She would not.
"We are fulfilling our duties," she stated, maintaining a steady voice despite her inner emotions. "Everything remains the same."
Alexander's gaze grew darker, and he lightly shook his head, appearing disappointed by her answer. "You have no more faith in that than I do."
Natalie felt her heart pounding as she forced herself to swallow. "I—"
However, just as she was about to speak, Alexander moved even closer, narrowing the gap between them. His closeness was overwhelming, and even though she tried, she sensed herself gravitating towards him, as she always did.
"You're not alone in facing this, Natalie," he murmured, his voice soft and his eyes piercing.