Chapter 7
Too Close To Ignore
I thought staying late at work would help me get my mind off him.
I convinced myself not to be close to him, but his voice kept ringing in my head and I said to myself, I'd stop replaying the sound of his voice in my head.
But it didn't work.
Every moment only reminded me of the way he looked at me earlier.
By the time I packed up my bag, the office was quiet. Everyone had left hours ago. The only light came from the soft glow of the hallway lamps. The silence was making me feel weak until I heard the sound of slow, steady footsteps behind me.
I didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
Still here, he said, his voice smooth but low, like he didn't want to scare me away. I figured you'd be gone by now.
I closed my eyes for a second, trying to calm the storm inside me. I had work to finish, I replied, keeping my voice as steady as I could.
He leaned against the wall, looking too relaxed for my sanity. His tie was slightly loosened, and a few buttons of his shirt were undone. He looked nothing like the family friend from my childhood. He looked like a temptress dressed in a suit.
I didn't want to leave without seeing you, he said softly.
I froze. Why did he have to say things like that?
Junior, I whispered, not even sure what I was about to tell him. This isn't… It's complicated.
He walked closer, each step slow, deliberate, like he was giving me the chance to walk away. But I didn't move. I couldn't.
Complicated doesn't make it less real, he said.
I felt his warmth before I felt his hand brush against mine. It wasn't a grab. It wasn't forceful. Just a soft touch, the kind that sets everything inside you on fire.
Don't, I breathed out. But the word came out weak.
Then tell me to stop, he whispered.
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. My heart was racing so fast it almost hurt.
Every part of me was screaming that this was wrong, that he was older, that he was family, that we were standing too close to something dangerous.
But the part of me that wanted him didn't care.
Junior, I said again, but this time it sounded different. Softer. Shakier.
He leaned down slightly, his forehead almost brushing mine. The world outside didn't exist anymore. It was just us, the night, and everything I wasn't supposed to feel.
Sarah, he whispered. Just my name. Nothing else.
And somehow, it felt like the most dangerous thing he'd ever said.
I took a step back, forcing myself to breathe. We can't… we shouldn't.
He nodded slowly, but his eyes told a different story.
He wasn't walking away and deep down, I knew neither was I.
We stood there looking at each other. Junior was looking straight in my eye. I pretended not to notice him by turning back. He asked why are you doing this to me I nodded, and said please don't force yourself on me we are not meant to be can't you understand, he stared at me for a moment I used that opportunity to run off.