Too Close to Resist

Chapter 12

Chapter 12: Quiet Before the Storm

The office felt different today.

Not unfamiliar—

just… heavier.

Monica stepped out of the elevator, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor as heads turned almost instantly.

Employees straightened, greetings following one after another.

“Good morning, Ms. Monica.”

“Welcome back, ma’am.”

She smiled politely, nodding as she walked past them, her posture composed, confident—every bit the heiress they expected her to be.

But inside—

she wasn’t thinking about reports.

Or meetings.

Or responsibilities.

She was thinking about him.

“Ma’am, your schedule,” her assistant said, catching up beside her, tablet in hand. “You have three pending approvals, a department review, and a meeting at eleven.”

Monica nodded. “Alright. Let’s start with the approvals.”

Professional.

Focused.

In control.

At least… that’s what it looked like.

An hour passed.

Then another.

Numbers, reports, decisions—everything moved efficiently under her direction.

Monica spoke clearly, corrected where needed, and approved what required her authority.

No hesitation.

No mistakes.

Exactly what was expected of her.

And yet—

her mind drifted.

Just slightly.

Her phone buzzed.

Once.

She ignored it.

Then again.

This time, she glanced at the screen.

Kian.

A small smile appeared before she could stop it.

“Already busy, Ms. Boss?”

Monica exhaled softly, leaning back in her chair as she typed.

“Very. Unlike someone I know.”

A reply came almost instantly.

“Hey, I’m working too.”

She raised an eyebrow, typing back:

“Doubt it.”

There was a pause.

Then—

“Okay, maybe I’m thinking about you more than working.”

Monica shook her head, a quiet laugh escaping her lips.

“Ma’am?” her assistant called gently, snapping her back.

She cleared her throat, setting her phone aside. “Yes—sorry. Continue.”

The meeting went on.

Voices filled the room.

Charts. Plans. Strategies.

Monica listened, contributed, guided.

But every now and then—

her mind slipped.

Back to last night.

The way everything changed.

The way everything felt…

easy.

After the meeting, Monica stood by the large window in her office, looking out over the city.

Busy.

Loud.

Unforgiving.

So different from the quiet comfort she had felt just hours ago.

Her phone buzzed again.

She didn’t even check the name this time—she already knew.

“Lunch?”

She smiled faintly.

“I have work.”

“That’s not a no.”

Monica hesitated.

Then typed:

“You’re distracting.”

His reply came quickly.

“You like it.”

She didn’t answer.

But her smile said enough.

A knock on the door.

“Come in.”

Her assistant stepped inside again, expression slightly more serious this time.

“Ma’am… there’s an update.”

Monica turned. “What is it?”

“Your parents… they’ve confirmed their return. They’ll be back very soon. Possibly within the week.”

The air shifted.

Subtly—

but enough.

Monica’s smile faded just a little.

“I see,” she said quietly.

“Would you like us to prepare a full report for them?”

“Yes,” Monica replied, regaining her composure. “Make sure everything is ready. I don’t want any delays.”

“Understood.”

The door closed again.

Silence.

Real silence this time.

Monica walked back to her desk slowly, her fingers brushing against her phone.

Kian’s last message still on the screen.

Light.

Easy.

Safe.

Then—

her parents.

Expectations.

Responsibility.

Pressure.

Two different worlds.

And somehow—

she was standing right in the middle.

Her phone buzzed again.

“Hey… you disappeared. Everything okay?”

Monica stared at the message for a moment.

Then typed slowly:

“Yeah… just work.”

A pause.

Then—

“Don’t let it stress you out. You’ve got this.”

She exhaled softly.

“I know.”

Another message:

“And if you don’t… I’m here.”

Monica’s grip on the phone tightened slightly.

A small, genuine smile returned.

“I know that too.”

She placed her phone down, leaning back in her chair.

Eyes closing for just a second.

Holding onto that feeling.

That balance.

Before everything changed.

Outside, the city continued moving—

fast.

Unpredictable.

Unstoppable.

And deep down—

Monica knew.

This quiet moment?

It wouldn’t last forever.