Claire woke to a room flooded with the subdued violet hues of early morning, a sharp contrast to the familiar curtained shadows of her own apartment. For a moment, she lay completely disoriented as she looked out of the large floor-to-ceiling windows that framed a dazzling glow of skyscrapers silhouetted against a cotton candy sky. When her drowsy brain finally woke up, she realized she wasn’t at home, that wasn’t her view.
She was at Alex’s penthouse. She slept in his bed. She woke up to his view. Memories of the previous night rushed back in a dizzying wave—the passionate kisses, Alex’s deep brown eyes staring into hers as he promised not to let her burn, his arms wrapped around her as they lay in bed together. Claire let out a stifled groan as she covered her face with her hands. Then she snapped her attention to the room. She was alone, Alex wasn’t beside her. She lifted the comforter and sheets to take a peek at herself. She let out a huge sigh of relief that she wasn’t naked under the soft linen.
The air in the room carried a lingering trace of Alex’s subtle woodsy cologne. As she stared at the high ceiling, the reality of her choices materialized with vivid clarity.
“What am I going to do now,” she moaned as she stretched her arms up as if pushing back on the crushing weight of her decisions.
The silence that answered her was suffocating, cutting off any good excuse she tried to make for herself as to why she threw caution to the wind and went home with her boss. Her heart hammered against her ribs while thinking about the gnawing sensation in her stomach, heralding an inevitable consequence to her choice. She was no longer just an employee or a former classmate; she was now deep in a forbidden relationship that could jeopardize the career she needed to support her mother.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the gentle creak of the door, and Alex entered, carrying a tray that smelled of freshly brewed coffee and toasted bread. He smiled brightly as he set the tray on the edge of the bed, his movements mirroring the enduring affection in his eyes.
“I, um, walked over to the café on the corner and bought you a latte and breakfast sandwich,” he rubbed the back of his neck. “I figured it would be safer than setting off the fire alarm if I tried to make you something.”
Claire let a chuckle fall from her lips despite her nervousness. “Thank you,” she replied as she reached for the coffee. Her fingers brushed against his and the now familiar jolt of electricity travelled up her arm, sending a shiver down her back.
“Are you cold?” Alex looked at her with concern.
She tried to hide the flush that threatened an appearance by glancing away from him and looking about the room.
“It’s just a little chill; the sheets are really quite cool…” Her eyes stopped at the digital clock on the nightstand. “Oh my gosh, it’s 7:50!” She nearly dropped her coffee. “We have to be in the office by nine!”
Alex laughed. “You know it only takes ten minutes to get to the office from here.”
Claire put her coffee on the nightstand and jumped out of bed. She glared at him, “And do YOU know how long it takes me to get ready?”
She grabbed the sandwich from the tray and unwrapped it, then took a bite while she rummaged through her bag for her clothes and toiletries. “I hope you have a spare bathroom, or you’re going to be late!”
Still laughing, he motioned to the master bathroom. “Go ahead and get ready here, I’ll use the guest bathroom.”
---
The car ride to the office was filled with an awkward silence. It was finally broken when Alex pulled into the garage.
"I know what you're thinking, Claire," he murmured as he pulled into his parking space. "You’re wondering how we walk into that building and pretend our world didn't change overnight".
Claire looked up, a hint of vulnerability seeped into her voice. "You’re right, Alex. If we aren't careful, this isn't just a scandal; it’s my career. It’s the success I need for my mom.” She looked back down at her fidgeting hands. “She’s done so much, sacrificed so much as a single parent. I can’t mess up.” The panic began to rise in her throat.
Alex reached out, gently cupping her cheek to bring her eyes to him, his thumb brushing her jawline just as he did the night before. "I told you I wouldn't let you burn, and I meant it," he vowed with conviction. "In the office, you are the Communications Manager who is too good at her job for anyone to question," he said firmly. "But everywhere else... you’re the woman I’ve waited six years for.”
Claire took a breath and nodded, letting herself lean into his touch. “Alright,” she sighed and leaned away from him to gather her bag. “But what will we say about—”
“Hey, we don't have to solve the office gossip this morning. We just have to be a team, okay? Today is a day like any other, no one will know the difference.”
She gave a small smile, “Okay.”
They headed for the elevators like two coworkers starting their day. But when they got to their floor and exited, they were greeted by an impatient pair of grey eyes. Claire fought down an irrational panic as she smiled at Amanda.
“Good morning,” Claire hoped she didn’t sound unnaturally cheerful.
Amanda’s eyes fluttered imperceptivity between them. “Good morning. I was hoping you had time to meet with me this morning to finalize the planning for the show.”
“Of course,” Claire glanced at Alex. “Let me put my things down and check any messages first. How about we meet in the back conference room in twenty minutes?”
Amanda gave a curt nod and one last cursory glance between her and Alex before heading back to her desk.
Claire turned in the opposite direction with a whoosh of air, not realizing she had been holding her breath. She walked quickly to their office, Alex right behind her. She unlocked the office door and hurried in, but jumped when she felt Alex’s breath near her ear.
“She’s like that with everyone, relax.” There was a hint of amusement in his conspiratorial voice.
In response, she gave him a scathing look and quickly stormed into her office to settle herself before meeting Amanda. She sat down and sighed heavily. Her nerves were already frayed, how was she going to keep a straight face with someone whose very job description is to be meticulous with details?
