Chapter 11 — Complications
587 Words
By Monday morning, Jenna walked into the office with shoulders squared, determined to act normal.
No blushing.
No staring,
No daydreaming about Samuel’s smile.
Just act professional. Mature. Focused.
She lasted exactly nine minutes.
Because at 9:10 a.m., Samuel walked in wearing a navy-blue shirt that fit him like it was tailored by God himself. He greeted her with a soft “Good morning, Jenna,” and her brain shut down like the lights had just gone out.
She muttered something that sounded like “goodmorningyoulooknice” and quickly fled to the break room.
She leaned on the counter, breathing deeply.
This was beginning to get ridiculous.
A moment later, Samuel walked in.
“Oh. You’re here.” She jumped.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yes!” she lied.
He watched her for a long moment then he asked “is this about Saturday?”
Her eyes widened “no, why?”
“You’ve been avoiding me.” He said.
“I haven’t!” she said, avoiding his eyes.
Samuel chuckled. “Jenna…”
She sighed. “Fine. Maybe a little.”
“Why?” he asked.
Her throat tightened. “It’s complicated.”
“Then uncomplicate it,” he said softly. “Talk to me.”
She looked at him – really looked at him – and her heart hammered painfully.
“Samuel, this whole thing… it feels too real.”
He blinked. “Is that bad?”
“Yes.” She replied.
“Why?” he asked.
“Because it’s supposed to be fake,” she whispered. “But it doesn’t feel fake anymore.”
Samuel froze.
Silence stretched.
Her heart dropped.
Then he stepped closer. “Jenna.” He whispered.
She backed up until her spine hit the counter.
He stopped an arm’s length away. His voice dropped.
“You’re not the only one it feels real for.”
Her breath caught. “What?”
“I’ve been trying to ignore it. I though it would go away.”
“And did it?”
“No,” he said simply.
Her knees weakened.
“But,” he added, “I don’t want to rush you. Or confuse you. Or cross any lines you didn’t agree to.”
“Samuel—” she began.
He held up a hand gently. “Let’s take it slow. One step at a time. No pressure.”
She swallowed, nodding.
Then the door burst open.
“Aha!” Lawrence shouted, pointing dramatically. “I knew it!”
They jumped apart. “It’s not what it looks like!” Jenna squeaked.
“It looks like the two of you are having a lovers’ meeting in the break room,” Lawrence said triumphantly.
Samuel’s jaw tensed. “What do you want?”
“I want the truth,” Lawrence said smugly. “And I’m going to get it.”
He walked out.
Jenna panicked. “Oh no. He’s going to stir things again.”
“Let him try,” Samuel said calmly. “We’ll handle it.”
But Jenna wasn’t convinced.
She could feel trouble coming.
And she wasn’t wrong.
Later that afternoon, HR sent them a message:
“We need to discuss concerns regarding workplace boundaries.”
Jenna’s eyes widened. “We’re finished.”
Samuel touched her shoulder lightly. “Hey, we’ll get through it.”
But Jenna wasn’t worried about HR.
She was worried about her heart.
Because the moment he touched her…
She realized something terrifying:
She wasn’t slowly falling.
She had already fallen.
Hard.
- Writer
