WHAT IF???

Chapter 26: Discreet Confrontation

As dinner was served, Mon watched in silence as Kirk took the initiative to fix Sam's food, his actions filled with familiarity and care.

"Sam, my love, start eating," Kirk encouraged, his tone gentle but firm.

Sam hesitated, feeling a bit uneasy about Kirk's actions. "It's okay, Kirk. I can do it myself," she murmured softly, trying to politely decline his help.

However, Kirk brushed off her hesitation, insisting, "No, no, let me. You've had a long day."

Mon observed the exchange with a side eye and a subtle pout, sensing the underlying jealousy.

Kirk, still focused on serving his wife, couldn't help but overhear Mon's confession. He paused for a moment, processing her words, before turning his attention to Mon with a curious expression.

"So, Mon," Kirk began, his tone gentle yet probing, "what brings you back here? England couldn't have been that bad, could it?"

Mon, fidgeting slightly under Kirk's scrutiny, hesitated before responding. "Well, Kirk," she started, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness, "it's just... lonely there. And, um, the truth is, the person I care about the most is here."

Sam, caught off guard by Mon's admission, shot a swift glance in her direction, her eyes widening imperceptibly. Kirk, ever perceptive, noticed the exchange between the two women, his curiosity piqued.

"Oh?" Kirk remarked, a knowing smile playing at the corners of his lips. "And who might that be?"

Mon's gaze flickered momentarily to Sam before returning to Kirk. "Oh, just someone I've missed, that's all," she replied evasively, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

Kirk, sensing the weight behind Mon's words, turned to her with a mixture of concern and curiosity. "Mon," he began, his voice gentle yet probing, "have you found that person you care about the most?"

Mon met Kirk's gaze, her expression earnest yet conflicted. "Yes," she replied softly, her tone laced with a hint of resignation. "Back in England, I realized that I love this person more than anything. But..." She trailed off, her voice faltering slightly as she grappled with the weight of her admission.

Kirk's brow furrowed with concern as he sensed the turmoil within Mon. "But what, Mon?" he prompted gently, his tone encouraging her to confide in him.

A heavy sigh escaped Mon's lips as she struggled to find the right words. "But our love is forbidden, Kirk," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "There are so many obstacles standing in our way, so many reasons why we shouldn't be together. And yet..." She trailed off, her gaze drifting momentarily to Sam before returning to Kirk.

Kirk listened intently as Mon opened up about her forbidden love, his gaze reflecting a mix of concern and curiosity.

"I know it's complicated, Kirk," Mon began, her voice tinged with determination. "But I can't just walk away from this. Im inlove, and I'm willing to fight for our happiness, no matter what obstacles stand in our way."

Kirk nodded slowly, understanding the depth of Mon's feelings. "Love can be a powerful force," he conceded, "but sometimes, it can also lead us down difficult paths."

Mon hesitated, trying to come up with a convincing response to Kirk's question. "Well, sometimes love isn't something we can control," she began slowly, choosing her words carefully. "Even if it's forbidden, it's hard to just let go of those feelings, you know?"

Kirk raised an eyebrow, clearly not entirely convinced by Mon's explanation. "But if it's forbidden, wouldn't it be better to move on and find someone else?" he pressed, his tone challenging.

Mon shifted uncomfortably, feeling the weight of Kirk's scrutiny. "It's not that simple," she replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "Sometimes, the heart wants what it wants, regardless of the consequences."

"So, this person you love... it's not Sam, is it?" Kirk asked, his voice tinged with suspicion.

Mon shot Kirk a pointed look, a hint of sarcasm in her reply. "Oh, Kirk, after everything you and Sam put me through, do you really think I'm that naive to take her back?"

Sam watched Mon's expression, feeling a weight settle in her chest at Mon's words. She knew she had hurt Mon deeply in the past, and even though they were together now, the guilt still lingered, a constant reminder of the pain she had caused.

As Sam listened anxiously to Mon's words, her hands subconsciously reached for her coffee, taking sip after sip, lost in her thoughts. Mon, noticing Sam's behavior, gently reached out and took the coffee away, concern evident in her eyes.

"Sam, you need to slow down on the coffee. Remember what happened last time? It could trigger your acid reflux again," Mon cautioned, her voice soft but firm.

Kirk, surprised by this revelation, turned to Sam with a furrowed brow. "Why didn't I know about your acid reflux, Sam? And how come Mon is aware of it?" he inquired, his tone tinged with confusion and concern.

Mon quickly responded to Kirk's question, her mind racing to come up with an explanation. "Oh, uh, well, Sam and I work closely together on certain projects, so I've noticed her health issues," she explained, trying to keep her voice steady despite the panic rising within her.

Sam nodded in agreement, adding, "Yes, Kirk, Mon and I collaborate on various tasks, so she's aware of my health concerns."

Kirk seemed to accept the explanation, albeit with a lingering sense of suspicion. "I see," he replied, though his gaze lingered on Mon for a moment longer than necessary.

Sensing the growing tension, Sam cleared her throat, breaking the uneasy silence. "Maybe we should finish up our meal," she suggested, her voice slightly strained.

Mon nodded in agreement, her eyes briefly meeting Sam's in a silent exchange of understanding.

Kirk watched the interaction between Sam and Mon, a flicker of suspicion crossing his face as he noticed their secretive glances. Despite his curiosity, he chose not to press further, sensing that something was amiss.

As they resumed their meal, an awkward atmosphere settled over the table, each bite accompanied by a palpable tension that lingered in the air.