WHAT IF???

Chapter 27: Heated Sulkiness

As they pulled up to Mon's house, Kirk couldn't help but notice that it looked unchanged from their college days. He glanced at Mon's house, taking in the familiar sight.

Noticing Nop waiting nearby, Kirk raised an eyebrow. "Looks like someone's waiting for you," he remarked casually, turning to Mon with a curious expression.

Mon's heart skipped a beat as she exchanged a quick glance with Sam, her mind racing with apprehension. "Uh, yeah," she replied hesitantly, avoiding Kirk's gaze. "He's my cousin, and..."

Kirk's eyes narrowed slightly, sensing Mon's evasiveness. "He's the one you were talking about, your forbidden love?" he asked, his tone probing.

Mon took a deep breath, preparing herself to explain. "Nop and I... it's complicated," she began, glancing nervously at Kirk. "We've known each other for so long, and our feelings... they're deeper than just cousinly love."

Kirk listened intently, his expression serious as he absorbed Mon's words.

"We're trying to navigate this, especially living under the same roof with my parents," Mon continued, her voice tinged with emotion. "It's not easy, but we're determined to make it work."

As Mon spoke, Sam's jealousy flared up like a wildfire, her heart sinking at the thought of Mon being in love with someone else, especially someone so close to her. She struggled to keep her emotions in check, she tightened her grip on her car door.

Sam, unable to contain her sarcasm, chimed in, "Well, looks like Nop's eagerly waiting. You wouldn't want to keep him waiting, would you?"

Kirk nodded in agreement. "Yeah, let's not keep him waiting."

Mon nodded, giving a small smile. "I should go then. See you tomorrow at the office  Sam" With that, she stepped out of the car, her heart heavy with the tension between them.

Kirk contemplated aloud, "It's a shame they're cousins. They seem like they'd make a good couple. Dont you think Sam?"

Sam, unable to hide her irritation, cut in sharply, "Let's just go home, Kirk." She couldn't shake off the jealousy simmering inside her as they drove away.

As the sun's rays gently filtered through the office windows, casting a warm glow over the desks and workstations, the bustling sounds of a new day began at the office. Employees trickled in one by one, greeting each other with smiles and nods as they prepared for another day of productivity.

Noi grinned as they walked towards their workstations, "You're like Sam's guardian angel at work, Mon. Ever since you started working under her, she's been way less tense."

Yha nodded in agreement, "Yeah, it's like you have a calming effect on her."

Chin chimed in, "Though sometimes, Sam still loses it, right?"

Mon chuckled modestly, "I'm just doing my job. But yeah, Sam can still get a bit fiery sometimes."

The group froze as Sam's voice cut through the conversation. "And today is one of those days," she added with a sigh.

Noi quickly apologized, "Sorry, Sam. We didn't mean to—"

Chin swiftly retreated, but Sam called her back, "Hey, Chin, about that report I asked for the other day..."

Mon couldn't help but notice the tension in the air as she and Sam locked eyes briefly. Sam then turned to Mhee, "Mhee, could you please bring me my coffee?"

As Sam turned away, Mon couldn't shake off her confusion. "What's going on?" she whispered to herself.

Meanwhile, Mhee nodded and headed towards the pantry to fetch Sam's coffee, leaving Mon standing there, still puzzled by Sam's sudden change in demeanor.

Mhee entered Sam's office with the coffee and found Sam murmuring by herself near the window. "What's with them? Loves him? What about me?" Sam muttered under her breath.

Clearing her throat, Mhee approached Sam and offered the coffee. "Here's your coffee, Sam," she said softly.

Sam snapped out of her thoughts, thanking Mhee with a forced smile, and Mhee left the office, leaving Sam to ponder over her own conflicted feelings.

As Mhee closed Sam's door, she couldn't shake off her confusion about what she witnessed inside. Mon passed by her, noticing her puzzled expression, and asked, "What's wrong, Mhee?"

Mhee sighed, turning to Mon. "Sam's really not in the mood today," she explained quietly.

Just then, Yha's phone rang. After a brief nod of acknowledgment, Yha called out to Mon. "Hey, Mon, Sam needs you in the office," she said, her tone serious.

Mon entered Sam's office, finding her sitting on her couch, her expression serious as she sipped her coffee. "Sam, what's going on?" Mon asked, concern evident in her voice.

Sam sarcastically inquired, "What's going on, Mon? Don't you already know? Perhaps you enjoyed your time with your cousin so much that you don't care about me anymore." Mon chuckled, realizing Sam was sulking over Nop.

Sam stood up to face Mon as she noticed Mon chuckling over her sulkiness. "What's so funny?" Sam asked, her tone serious. "What's your real relationship with Nop?" Mon continued to chuckle, evading Sam's question.

As they revisited their discussion about Nop, Sam pressed on, "You said Nop is just your cousin, right?" Mon nodded, affirming her statement. "Yeah, just my cousin," she replied, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Sam retorted, "He's just your cousin, but you're practically living together. You even told Kirk that you're in love with Nop." Mon chuckled and tried to hug Sam, teasing her, "Aw, you're so cute when you sulk, Sam."

Sam continued to sulk, settling into her office chair. "You can't sweet talk to me right now," she said to Mon, crossing her arms over her chest.

Mon pouted, frustration evident on her face. "We've already talked about this, Sam. Nop is just staying at our house temporarily," she explained, trying to reason with Sam. "And about what I told Kirk... I only said that to give him an excuse."

Mon gently turned Sam's chair so they were facing each other. "Sam, you know who that person is," she said softly, her gaze searching Sam's eyes. "You know who my forbidden love is."

Sam replied, "Then tell me, Mon. Who is it?"

Mon, frustrated, retorted, "Does Sam really not know?"

Sam insisted, "I want to hear it from you, Mon. Or better yet, show me."

Mon was stunned into silence by Sam's determination, meeting her gaze with uncertainty.