Episode Seven: After the Kiss
876 Words
The drive back was silent.
Not the comfortable kind.
The kind that pressed in from all sides.
Natasha stared out the window, arms folded tightly.
Joel said nothing.
Finally—
“What was that?” she asked.
Joel didn’t look at her. “Necessary.”
“That wasn’t what I asked.”
He exhaled. “Gregory was pushing. It needed to look real.”
“It already looked real.”
“Not enough.”
Natasha turned to him. “You don’t get to decide that alone.”
“I do when it affects me.”
“And me?” she shot back.
Joel’s gaze shifted to her. “You agreed to this.”
“I agreed to a contract—not to being blindsided.”
Silence again.
Thicker this time.
“You crossed a line,” she added quietly.
Joel didn’t respond immediately.
Then—
“So did you.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?”
“You kissed me back.”
That hit.
Harder than expected.
“I had to,” she said.
“So did I.”
They held each other’s gaze.
Neither backing down.
The car slowed as they reached the estate.
The gates opened slowly, like something waiting.
By the time they stepped inside, the tension hadn’t eased.
If anything—
It had settled deeper.
Natasha moved ahead, slipping off her heels.
“I’m tired,” she muttered.
“Good,” Joel said. “We have an early morning.”
She turned. “For what now?”
“Press briefing.”
She blinked. “You’re joking.”
“I’m not.”
“You didn’t mention that.”
“I didn’t need to.”
Natasha laughed, sharp and humorless. “You really enjoy this, don’t you?”
“What?”
“Control.”
Joel’s expression didn’t change. “I enjoy efficiency.”
“That’s not the same thing.”
He stepped closer.
“It is to me.”
For a second, neither moved.
The air between them—charged.
Natasha broke it first.
“I’m going to bed.”
She turned—
“Natasha.”
She paused but didn’t face him.
“What?” she asked.
Joel’s voice came quieter this time.
“Don’t let Gregory get in your head.”
She let out a small laugh.
“He doesn’t have to.”
That landed.
“You already did that,” she added, then walked away.
Joel stood there, watching her disappear up the stairs.
His jaw tightened slightly.
Upstairs, Natasha closed the door behind her and leaned against it.
Her heart was still racing.
She touched her lips.
Just briefly.
Then dropped her hand.
“This is nothing,” she whispered.
It had to be.
A knock came.
Soft.
Unexpected.
Natasha frowned, walking to the door.
She opened it—
And froze.
Gregory stood there.
“You really shouldn’t be here,” she said immediately.
“Probably not,” he admitted. “But here I am.”
“How did you even—”
“Security is easier than it looks,” he said lightly.
That didn’t reassure her.
“What do you want?” she asked.
Gregory’s expression shifted—less playful now.
“Five minutes.”
“No.”
“Natasha—”
“No,” she repeated. “Whatever you came to say, say it somewhere else.”
He studied her.
Then sighed.
“Fine. I’ll be quick.”
She didn’t move.
Didn’t invite him in.
“You think this is about money,” he said.
“It is.”
“It’s not.”
Natasha crossed her arms. “Then enlighten me.”
Gregory stepped closer—but kept his distance.
“This marriage?” he said quietly. “It’s not just a contract.”
She let out a small breath. “I figured that much.”
“No,” he shook his head. “You didn’t.”
Her patience thinned. “Get to the point.”
Gregory held her gaze.
“There are people watching Joel.”
That made her pause.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean,” he said, voice lower now, “this whole thing—your marriage—it’s part of something bigger.”
Natasha frowned. “You’re being vague.”
“For a reason.”
She shook her head. “If you’re trying to scare me—”
“I’m trying to warn you.”
Silence.
“About what?” she asked.
Gregory hesitated.
Then—
“About what happens to people who get too close to him.”
A chill ran through her.
“That’s not funny,” she said.
“I’m not joking.”
They held each other’s gaze.
“Why are you telling me this?” she asked finally.
Gregory’s expression softened slightly.
“Because someone should’ve told you the truth the first time.”
That hit deeper than she expected.
Footsteps echoed down the hall.
Heavy. Familiar.
Joel.
Gregory straightened.
“Well,” he said quietly, “looks like my time’s up.”
Natasha didn’t move.
Didn’t speak.
Joel appeared at the end of the corridor.
His eyes landed on them instantly.
Dark. Sharp.
“Get away from her,” he said.
Gregory smirked.
“Too late.”
And just like that—
Everything shifted again.
- Writer
