Broken

Chapter 16: Lines uncrossed

Fatima exited the boardroom, her mind racing with the implications of her decision. As she made her way down the hall toward her office, the clack of her heels echoed in the otherwise quiet space. She reached her office door and was about to push it open when she heard a familiar voice call out.

"Fatima!" Zac's voice cut through the silence. She paused, turning to face him.

"I thought you left?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I did. And then I sat in my car and thought about you," Zac replied, his tone sincere and eyes locked onto hers.

Fatima's expression tightened, trying to maintain her composure. She gestured toward her office with a subtle sway of her arm. "Come in," she invited, stepping aside. Zac walked into her office, and she followed, closing the door behind them. The quiet click of the latch seemed to amplify the tension in the room.

Once inside, Zac turned to face her, his gaze intense. "Zachary—" she started, but he quickly cut her off.

"No. Don't start that. I know why you dropped the lawsuit. I did my research; you're ruthless, you never back down," Zac stated, his voice firm.

"It was exhausting," Fatima lied, trying to keep her tone even.

Zac shook his head, stepping closer. "No. And that's a lie," he countered. Fatima opened her mouth to retort, but he interrupted, "Then why did you do it, Fatima?"

She faltered for a moment, searching for a plausible excuse. "Because you like me," Zac said confidently, closing the distance between them.

Fatima's eyes widened slightly, her back pressing against the cool surface of the frosted glass door behind her. Zac moved in, his presence overwhelming, his hands gently cupping her face. They were chest to chest now, his proximity leaving her with no room to escape.

"Zac..." she trailed off, her voice a mere whisper, her resolve wavering.

Without another word, Zac pressed his lips against hers, the kiss forceful yet tender. For a moment, Fatima hesitated, her mind racing with the consequences of this act. But as the warmth of his touch spread through her, she felt herself giving in. The kiss deepened, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck. It was a moment of vulnerability, a break in the walls she had so carefully constructed. She could feel the urgency in his kiss, the unspoken emotions that had been simmering beneath the surface finally breaking free.

As they kissed, the rest of the world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in the dimly lit office. It was a kiss that held promises and dangers, a silent agreement to step into the unknown. Fatima knew this was a line she couldn't uncross, a decision that could change everything. But in that moment, she didn't care. She was lost in the sensation, in the feeling of being wanted, needed.

Eventually, they pulled away, both slightly breathless. Zac's forehead rested against hers, his hands still cradling her face. They stayed like that for a moment, the silence thick with unspoken words.

"You shouldn't have done that," Fatima finally whispered, her voice shaky.

"I couldn't help it," Zac admitted, his voice equally soft. "I had to know if you felt the same."

Fatima closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. She knew they were walking a dangerous path, one that could lead to chaos. But she also knew she couldn't deny the connection between them. It was real, and it was powerful.

"We can't," she said, trying to sound resolute, but the uncertainty in her voice betrayed her.

Zac nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I know. But I couldn't leave without telling you how I feel."