The Space Between Us

Under Pressure

The days after our kiss in Rebecca's office passed in a haze of work and stolen glances, we kept our distance during the day maintaining a strictly professional facade, but the electricity between us was impossible to ignore every time she walked by my desk, I could feel her presence like a magnet pulling me toward her, even if we barely exchanged a word

Despite our efforts to keep things under control, the whispers in the office continued I caught them in the break room, in the hallways muted conversations that stopped as soon as I entered the room It was as if everyone was watching, waiting for a slip-up

The pressure was getting to me my work began to suffer I found it harder to concentrate, to keep up with the demanding pace that had once excited me each task felt heavier, like I was dragging a weight behind me wherever I went the manuscript I was supposed to edit sat untouched on my desk as I stared blankly at the screen, my mind elsewhere

It was during one of these moments, when the silence in the office was almost suffocating, that my phone buzzed a text from Rebecca.

Can you come to my office?

My heart leaped into my throat I quickly typed a response

On my way.

The walk to her office felt like a journey across a battlefield, each step measured, careful I didn't know what to expect when I reached her door another conversation about the need for caution?

I knocked softly, and her voice called out, "Come in."

Rebecca was sitting behind her desk, her expression unreadable as she looked up at me I closed the door behind me and stood there for a moment, unsure of what to do but then she smiled a warm, inviting smile that made my shoulders relax just a little

"Have a seat, Emma," she said, her voice gentle

I sat down, feeling the tension ease slightly but as soon as I was settled, she leaned forward, her eyes locking onto mine with that familiar intensity

"You've been struggling," she said, not unkindly, but with the kind of directness that left no room for denial.

I looked down at my hands, twisting them in my lap. "It's just... everything the work, the rumors... us."

Rebecca sighed, her gaze softening. "I know it's not easy. This situation... it's complicated but you're not alone in this. We're in this together, remember?"

I nodded, swallowing hard. "I do but it's just... the pressure I don't want to let you down, but I don't want to mess this up either."

She reached across the desk, her hand finding mine and giving it a reassuring squeeze. "You're not letting me down you're doing your best, and that's all I can ask for but if it's too much, if you need space or time, you need to tell me."

Her touch was warm, grounding me in the moment. "I don't want space," I said softly. "I just... I want to figure out how to do this, how to be with you and still be good at my job."

Rebecca's thumb brushed over the back of my hand, a small gesture that made my heart ache with a mixture of love and fear. "We'll figure it out," she said gently. "But you need to take care of yourself too you're no good to anyone, least of all yourself, if you burn out."

I met her gaze, the worry in her eyes mirroring my own. "I don't want to burn out," I admitted. "But I'm scared I'm scared of what people are saying, of what they think I don't want to be seen as someone who got ahead because of..."

"Because of us," she finished for me, her voice soft but firm. "I understand, Emma I do and I don't want you to feel that way this opportunity your work it's all because of you your talent, your dedication not because of anything else."

Her words were comforting, but the fear lingered. "But what if that's not how others see it? What if they think..."

She squeezed my hand tighter, cutting off my doubts. "It doesn't matter what they think what matters is what you know to be true. You earned this, Emma don't let anyone take that away from you."

The strength in her voice was like a lifeline, pulling me back from the edge of my insecurities I took a deep breath, nodding. "You're right. I just need to remember that."

Rebecca smiled, a soft, proud smile that made my heart swell. "You will and I'll be here to remind you whenever you need it."

For a moment, we just sat there, our hands clasped together on the desk, the world outside her office fading away It was a small bubble of peace in the middle of the chaos, a reminder of what we were fighting for

But then the phone on her desk buzzed, shattering the moment Rebecca sighed, glancing at the screen

"I have to take this," she said, her voice tinged with regret.

I nodded, standing up and releasing her hand. "Of course."

But before I could turn to leave, Rebecca stood up too, walking around the desk to stop me she placed a hand on my cheek, her thumb brushing lightly against my skin. "Remember what I said, Emma we're in this together."

I leaned into her touch, closing my eyes for a brief moment. "I know. Thank you."

She leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead, a promise as much as a comfort. "We'll get through this," she whispered.

I smiled up at her, feeling a bit more grounded, a bit more certain. "We will."

With one last look, I turned and left her office, the warmth of her kiss lingering on my skin

As I walked back to my desk, the pressure in my chest felt a little lighter the doubts were still there, but so was Rebecca