THE TIDE BETWEEN US

SLEPT WITH THE BOSS

"I'm sorry Sir.. It's just my opinion. But to be honest I do dream of marrying a guy with a successful one. Even though it's not like what you have, it's enough to provide for our family" Sheena said.

"That sounds interesting, so why don't you try me?".

"You? What?!" Sheena's face blushed.

"Joke. Don't take it seriously."

Gabriel turned to his right and get a piece of cigarette stick from his pocket. He was about to light it up when Sheena said something.

"I planned to leave for a five days from work. I had to visit my family. My parents are worried" Sheena said.

"What's wrong? Is there any problem? I can offer my help just tell me as long as I can..." Gabriel said.

"No.no. it's a family matter"

"Alright. Just let me know." Gabriel said.

His face was already turning red because he had drunk too much alcohol.

"Time is up, my break time is done. I have to go," Sheena said. She stood up gently, but she could no longer see straight. It felt as if she had suddenly become dizzy.

"Sheena?!" Gabriel said in shock.

Gabriel caught Sheena's body as she suddenly collapsed right in front of him. It was not just dizziness, she had also suddenly lost consciousness.

Later on, Sheena woke up in Gabriel's bed. The room was big and surrounded by marble tiles. The paint in his room was quite dark, and there were only a few decorations inside.

She blinked repeatedly when she realized she was inside her boss's bedroom.

"It's already late.. You just need to rest,"

Sheena gasped in surprise when he suddenly spoke, sitting right beside her bed.

"But.. sorry Sir.. I was wrong, I need to go to work"

"No.. no need. I already informed the HR," Gabriel said.

"B-but Sir... this isn't right," Sheena whispered, her voice trembling as she tightly clutched the heavy blanket, pulling it up to her chest.

"Thank you for looking after me, but I really must go to my apartment"

Gabriel stared down at her, his dark eyes intense yet clouded with exhaustion. The flush from the alcohol was finally fading from his face, but a lingering intoxication still weighed heavily in his voice.

"I can take you wherever you want," Gabriel replied coldly, rising slowly from the edge of the mattress.

"But look at yourself. You are trembling. You can't even stand on your own two feet."

Determined to leave, Sheena swung her legs over the edge, her bare feet touching the ice-cold marble floor. But the moment she tried to push herself up, the entire room spun violently. Panic flared in her chest as her knees buckled, and she blindly reached out, her fingers scraping against the bedside table for support.

Before she could crash against the hard floor, a pair of strong arms locked around her waist.Gabriel caught her effortlessly, pulling her close. Held in his firm embrace, Sheena could hear the rapid, heavy thudding of his heart. They were so close that the crisp, masculine scent of his cologne overwhelmed her, sharp and intense in the quiet room.

"I told you," Gabriel murmured, his breath warm against her skin.

He looked down at her, his gaze holding a dark, unreadable emotion, a complex mix of brewing anger and intense concern.

"Just rest."

Sheena closed her eyes, completely drained of the strength to fight back. The warmth of Gabriel’s embrace was too comforting against the chill of the marble room.

"Fine," she whispered.

"Just... until the morning, Sir."

Gabriel didn't say another word. He gently guided her back onto the plush mattress and pulled the heavy duvet over her shoulders. For a lingering moment, he stood over her in the shadows, watching her with that same unreadable gaze, before the soft click of the bedroom door signaled her safety.

Exhaustion finally claimed Sheena, pulling her into a deep, dreamless sleep..

When Sheena next opened her eyes, the dark, gloomy atmosphere of the night before was gone. Soft morning sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, illuminating the massive marble bedroom.

But as she tried to shift, she realized she couldn't move.

A heavy, muscular arm was wrapped securely around her waist, pinning her back against a broad, warm chest. She could feel the steady, rhythmic rise and fall of someone breathing right against her neck.

Sheena froze, her heart leaping into her throat.

Slowly, and carefully, she tilted her head back.

But Gabriel was fast asleep right beside her. His sharp jawline looked softer in the morning light, and his usually perfectly styled hair was messy, falling across his forehead. He was holding her close, as if she were something precious he was afraid would disappear if he let go.

Sheena held her breath, terrified that even the slightest movement would wake her boss up and make things incredibly complicated. But her heart was hammering against her ribs, but as the initial shock faded, a strange warmth bloomed in her chest.

Gabriel looked entirely different when he was asleep. The cold, intimidating CEO who commanded everything in his business private place was gone. In this place, he was just a man, breathing softly, his face relaxed and peaceful.

Sheena tried to gently lift his arm from her waist. But the moment she nudged his wrist, Gabriel stirred. Instead of letting go, his grip tightened. He pulled her even closer, burying his face into the crook of her neck. A soft, groggy rumble vibrated against her skin.

"Stay still," Gabriel mumbled, his voice thick and raspy with sleep.

"Just five more minutes." Sheena completely froze, her cheeks burning a bright crimson.

"S-Sir... Gabriel," she squeaked, using his name instead of his title for the very first time.

"You're holding me. We shouldn't be..." Gabriel slowly opened his eyes.

The morning light caught the deep brown of his irises as he looked down at her. He didn't look angry, and he didn't pull away. Instead, a small, incredibly rare smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"I know I'm holding you," he whispered, his voice dangerously soft.

He reached up with his free hand, using his thumb to gently brush a stray lock of hair behind her ear. His touch was so tender it made Sheena’s breath hitch.

"And for the first time in months, I actually slept well."

"But I'm your employee," Sheena said weakly, though she found herself unable to pull away from his gaze.

Gabriel leaned in slightly, his eyes dropping to her lips for a fleeting second before meeting her gaze again.

"Out there, in that resort, you are. But here? You're just Sheena. The girl who I need in this world"

He pressed a soft, lingering kiss onto her forehead, the warmth of his lips sending a shiver down her spine. He kept his arm securely around her waist, cuddling her close against his chest as the morning sun filled the room.

-------------

And somewhere far from Surigao Island...

A young man stared out from the deck of an unfamiliar cargo vessel. His uniform carried with no company logo. And his name wasn't listed among the crew.

He reached into his pocket and unfolded a faded photograph. It showed him standing beside Sheena on the day he graduated. The edges were worn from being opened too many times. He looked at it one last time before carefully folding it again.

The ship's horn echoed across the water.

Without another word, he turned toward the endless horizon, carrying a secret that would change every life waiting for him, to be back home.