Falling Into The Unknown.

Chapter Title: Unspoken Sparks

Micheal’s POV

I slumped back in my office chair, running a hand through my hair. My eyes drifted toward the window, but I wasn’t really seeing the skyline. My mind was spinning, caught in this strange mix of exhaustion and something else I couldn’t quite name. Today had been wild.

Victoria’s dramatic entrance still lingered in my thoughts, the memory of her voice—high-pitched and furious—echoing through my head. What was her deal? She had no shame, showing up and causing a scene in front of everyone. A part of me wanted to shake it off, but it clung to me like static. I sighed, staring down at my desk, but then, as if on autopilot, my thoughts drifted away from the chaos of Victoria and back to Anna.

Anna.

A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips. I couldn’t stop thinking about her, about how she’d stood her ground today, her voice steady and strong, like she wasn’t going to let anyone push her around. She didn’t even flinch when Victoria came at her, and damn, that was impressive. Honestly, it was a little bit… hot.

I leaned back in my chair, letting my mind wander. There was something about Anna that felt different—something that made me feel… alive? Maybe that was the word. Sure, we had this easygoing work dynamic, but lately, it felt like something else was bubbling just beneath the surface. She was funny, sharp, and when she smiled at me—really smiled—it did something to me. My heart would skip, my chest would tighten, and suddenly, it was like I was seeing her in a completely new way.

I shook my head, letting out a laugh under my breath. Stop it, man, I thought to myself. I had to keep it together. But it was hard, especially with the way she had been looking at me lately, like she could see right through me.

My phone buzzed on the desk, a text from one of my buddies asking if I wanted to hit the bar. Normally, I’d say yes without a second thought. A drink or two to blow off steam sounded perfect. It was what I’d been doing ever since my breakup with Victoria. But tonight, for some reason, the idea of sitting in a crowded bar, drinking until the edge dulled, didn’t appeal to me.

No, I wanted something different tonight. Something real.

Anna.

That was it. I wanted to spend time with her. I didn’t know what it was, but being around her made me forget all the mess, like I could breathe easier. She had this energy, this spark that made everything seem lighter, even when the world felt heavy.

I glanced at the clock. She’d probably be packing up soon, getting ready to head home. I felt a weird sense of anticipation, like maybe I could ask her to grab dinner or something casual. The thought of spending more time with her, away from the office, away from the prying eyes of our coworkers, made my heart pick up speed.

I could already see it—just the two of us, sitting in a cozy restaurant, maybe even laughing like we did last time. The way she laughed—it was the kind of laugh that made you want to join in, the kind that felt contagious, that made me want to lean in closer just to hear it again. I liked how easy it was between us, like there was something simmering, something that didn’t need to be said but was definitely there.

Just then, there was a soft knock at the door. My heart jumped. Anna. I turned, and sure enough, there she was, standing in the doorway with that easy smile that made my stomach do a flip.

“Hey,” she said softly, “I’m heading home.”

I hesitated for half a second, feeling that familiar jolt of energy when she was around. This was it. “Already?” I asked, trying to sound casual. “I was hoping we could grab dinner before you head back, maybe at that place we went to last time?”

She looked thoughtful for a second, and for a moment, I braced myself for rejection. But then she gave a small smile, her eyes meeting mine. “I was actually thinking about going home and cooking something tonight,” she said. “I haven’t had a homemade meal in a while.”

And there it was again—my chance slipping away. But I didn’t want to go back to the bar, didn’t want to end the night on my own. Before I even realized what I was saying, the words tumbled out: “Do you mind if I come with you?”

Her eyes widened slightly in surprise. My heart pounded in my chest, and I almost took it back, but something about the way she looked at me—maybe it was curiosity, maybe it was something more—made me hope.

“I don’t know…” she started, but then her gaze softened, and I knew she couldn’t say no. Not when I looked at her like this. I wasn’t above using these eyes—I knew they had some power, and right now, I was desperate.

Finally, after what felt like a lifetime, she nodded. “Okay.”

And just like that, my heart did that weird leap again. As we stepped outside together, I glanced over at her, trying to hide how much I was buzzing with excitement..

“So, what are you cooking?” I asked, trying to keep the conversation light as we made our way toward her place.

“Pasta,” she said, giving me a sideways glance. “It’s quick.”

I let out a small laugh, shaking my head. “You really like pasta, don’t you?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” she asked, raising an eyebrow playfully.

I chuckled. “You had pasta the last time we went out. I just figured it was your thing.”

She grinned. “Yeah, well, it is.”

I laughed with her, and it felt like the tension of the entire day melted away. This was it—this was exactly what I needed. Not a bar, not a drink—just Anna, the simplicity of being with her, the way she made everything feel… lighter.

As we walked, I couldn’t help but steal glances at her. The way her hair fell over her shoulders, the way her lips curved when she smiled. And then there was that electricity between us, that spark that made me feel like a nervous teenager around her.

By the time we reached her place, my heart was practically racing, but I kept my cool. We moved around the kitchen together, preparing the pasta like we’d done it a thousand times before, and it felt… easy. I found myself laughing at the little things, enjoying the simple act of cooking with her. When we sat down to eat, the first bite of pasta hit me with a surprise.

“This is so good,” I said, meaning every word. “You’re seriously going to have to cook for me again.”

She blushed, looking a little embarrassed but clearly pleased with the compliment. I grinned, watching her from across the table, feeling that same pull toward her.

We continued eating, the conversation flowing easily between us. It wasn’t long before we began asking each other more personal questions—small, harmless ones at first.

“So, what’s your favorite movie?” I asked, leaning back in my chair, my eyes curious.

Anna thought for a moment. “Probably The Notebook. I’m a sucker for romance.”

I raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Of course you are.”

“What about you?” she asked, turning the tables on me.

“Gladiator,” I said without hesitation. “I love the whole ‘strength and honor’ thing.”

Anna rolled her eyes playfully. “Typical.”

We both laughed, but as the conversation went on, it took a more serious turn. After a lull, Anna hesitated, biting her lip before asking the question that had been on her mind for a while. “How did you meet Victoria?”

As soon as the words left her mouth, I felt my face change. My lighthearted demeanor dimmed, and my jaw tightened slightly. I immediately regretted letting the conversation shift. “I’m sorry,” she said quickly. “I shouldn’t have—”

“No,” I interrupted softly, shaking my head. “It’s okay. I actually need to talk about it… to move on.” I let out a long breath, my shoulders sagging a bit as if the weight of the question had been heavy for a while.

Anna stayed quiet, giving me the space to speak. It wasn’t easy for me; I could see that in the way my eyes darkened, in the heaviness that seemed to settle over me.

“We met at a corporate event,” I began, my voice low. “She was charming, confident, the kind of woman who could command attention without even trying. At first, everything seemed perfect. She was everything I thought I wanted—driven, beautiful, successful. But as time went on, I started to notice the cracks. She was manipulative, always trying to control everything. And then I found out about the affair.”

My voice wavered for a moment, and my heart ached for myself. I couldn’t imagine how much it must have hurt to be betrayed like that. I reached out, placing my hand on hers without thinking. It was a small gesture, but the warmth of her touch seemed to ground me.

“She wasn’t the person I thought she was,” I continued, my voice steadying. “And even though it’s been a while, it still… hurts. I trusted her..

I gave her everything, and she—” I stopped, exhaling sharply. “I guess I should’ve seen the signs.”

Anna squeezed my hand gently. “It wasn’t your fault,” she said softly. “People make their own choices. You couldn’t have known.”

I looked at her, my eyes searching hers, trying to find comfort in her words. For a moment, the room felt smaller, the air between us charged with an unspoken connection. The vulnerability in her eyes was almost unbearable, yet it felt like a lifeline.

“Thank you,” I said quietly, my voice full of sincerity. I needed to share this with someone, and she was the first person I felt comfortable enough to open up to.

We sat there in silence for a few moments, the weight of my story hanging in the air. But then, something shifted. The space between us seemed to shrink, and before I knew it, we were both leaning in slightly, our faces just inches apart. The intensity of the moment made my pulse quicken.

My breath caught as I realized how close we were, my heart pounding in my chest. Anna’s eyes flicked down to my lips, and for a second, the world seemed to slow. The air was thick with unspoken desire, the kind of tension that made it hard to think straight.

I reached up, brushing a strand of hair away from her face, my fingers lingering on her cheek. The touch sent a shiver down my spine. Neither of us spoke, but our eyes were locked, the energy between us palpable. I could feel the heat rising, my skin tingling from the closeness.

And then, just as our lips were about to meet, the moment snapped like a rubber band stretched too tight. Anna pulled back slightly, her heart racing. “I—uh, I should clean up,” she said, standing quickly and breaking the spell.

I blinked, my expression softening, though the intensity still lingered in my eyes. “Yeah… yeah, of course.”

We moved around the kitchen, cleaning up in a comfortable silence, but the almost-kiss hung in the air between us, a question left unanswered.

After a while, I stood at the door to leave, the cool evening air swirling around us. I looked at Anna, a faint smile on my lips. “Tonight was… really nice,” I said, my voice low.

“Yeah, it was,” she replied, her heart still fluttering.

As I turned to go, I couldn’t shake the feeling of what could have happened if she hadn’t pulled back...