Love in the Shadows (The forbidden love)

Chapter 1: The Monday Morning After

The fluorescent lights of the office buzzed overhead, casting a sterile glow over the aftermath of the previous night's chaos. Stealing a glance at Jake across the cubicle wall, I tried to decipher his expression. He was focused on his computer screen, a furrowed brow the only hint of his internal turmoil.

Shame gnawed at me. The hazy memories of stolen kisses and whispered secrets felt like a betrayal, not just of myself, but of the unspoken trust between colleagues. Yet, beneath the guilt, a flicker of something else persisted - a spark of desire I couldn't quite extinguish.

The morning dragged on, punctuated by stolen glances and nervous fidgeting. Every shared laugh, every casual brush of hands in the break room felt loaded with unspoken meaning. Finally, the blessed chime of the lunch bell offered a temporary reprieve.

"Hey, Zie," Jake said, his voice hesitant as he approached my desk. "Want to grab some lunch?"

My stomach twisted in a knot. Being alone with him was both terrifying and enticing. "Sure," I finally managed, forcing a casual smile.

We found a secluded corner booth at a nearby diner. The silence stretched between us, thick and uncomfortable. Finally, I blurted out, "About last night..."

"Yeah," he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "That was..."

"A mistake," I finished for him, a lump forming in my throat. "We both know it."

He took a deep breath. "Maybe," he conceded. "But it doesn't mean it didn't happen."

His words hung in the air, an unwelcome truth. The memory of his touch, the heat of his lips against mine, was all too vivid. "What do we do now?" I asked, the question laced with desperation.

Jake leaned forward, his gaze holding mine. "I don't know," he admitted. "But pretending it didn't happen doesn't seem like the answer."

His words sent a shiver down my spine. Was he suggesting we continue down this dangerous path? A part of me yearned for the thrill, the forbidden connection. But another, more sensible voice, screamed at me to run in the other direction.

Just then, my phone buzzed on the table. It was a text from Sarah, Jake's girlfriend. "Hey handsome, thinking about you ;) Can't wait to see you tonight!"

The message felt like a punch to the gut. Suddenly, the consequences of our actions became all too real. Sarah, with her bright smile and genuine personality, deserved better than a cheating boyfriend. And me? I deserved better than being a secret, a dirty little affair.

Taking a deep breath, I met Jake's gaze, a newfound resolve hardening my features. "We can't do this, Jake," I said, my voice firm. "We need to forget about last night. For Sarah's sake, and for mine."