Freen and Becky: Shadows of Obsession

5 | Complications

The excitement of Freen and Becky's new relationship filled the office with a palpable buzz, and the days that followed were a whirlwind of joy and shared moments. They worked closely together, their bond growing stronger with every project they tackled. But beneath the surface, a shadow loomed on the horizon, one that would challenge the new dynamics they had created.

One morning, as Freen was going over the plans for the community center project, Becky burst into her office, her expression a mix of enthusiasm and concern. "Freen, you'll never guess who just accepted a position here!"

Freen looked up, curiosity piqued. "Who?"

"Non! He's joining the HR department," Becky exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement.

Freen's stomach dropped at the mention of Non. She knew all too well how he felt about Becky; he had been a constant presence in their lives, always hovering just a little too close for Freen's comfort. While Becky had repeatedly assured Non that she didn't return his feelings, he seemed oblivious to her discomfort, hanging on to the hope that one day she would change her mind.

"Great," Freen replied, trying to mask the tension in her voice. "That's... that's wonderful."

Becky's smile faltered slightly as she noticed Freen's change in demeanor. "Are you okay with this? I know you two haven't had the best rapport."

Freen crossed her arms, trying to suppress her jealousy. "Of course. It's just... I know how he feels about you, and it's awkward."

"Non is a good friend, but I've made it clear that I'm not interested in him like that. I really hope he can respect that," Becky said, her tone earnest.

Freen nodded, but the unease lingered. "It's just hard to watch him chase you when he knows you don't feel the same way."

"I get it. But I'll talk to him if it becomes a problem," Becky assured her, leaning closer, her hand brushing against Freen's arm in a reassuring gesture.

"Let's just focus on our project for now," Freen suggested, hoping to redirect her thoughts.

As the days went by, Non quickly became a part of the office routine. He was charming, outgoing, and eager to befriend everyone, including Freen. But the way he looked at Becky—the way he lingered just a moment too long whenever they were in the same room—stirred a familiar sense of discomfort in Freen.

One afternoon, while Becky was busy with meetings, Non approached Freen at her desk. "Hey, Freen! How's the project going?" he asked, leaning casually against her workspace.

"Fine," Freen replied, forcing a smile. "Just trying to finalize the design concepts."

Non grinned, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "I can't wait to see what you come up with! Becky always talks about how amazing your work is. You're like the heart of this company."

Freen felt a tightness in her chest at his praise. "Thanks, but I wouldn't say that," she replied, attempting to keep her tone light. "We all contribute in our own ways."

"True, but you have a special talent," Non insisted, his gaze lingering on her. "Anyway, I was thinking of asking Becky if she wants to grab dinner this weekend. Just as friends, of course. What do you think?"

Freen felt a surge of jealousy. "I don't think that's a good idea," she said, her voice firmer than intended. "Becky is busy with work and—"

"I know, but it could be a nice way to catch up. We've been friends for so long, after all," Non interrupted, oblivious to the tension in Freen's tone.

"Yeah, but she's not looking for anything more," Freen stated, the words slipping out before she could stop herself. "You should respect her feelings."

Non raised an eyebrow, a hint of confusion on his face. "I'm just being friendly, Freen. It doesn't have to mean anything more."

Freen met his gaze, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "You need to understand that Becky doesn't feel the same way about you. She's made that clear."

"Maybe she just needs time to realize it," Non replied, a stubborn look settling on his features.

Freen clenched her jaw, unwilling to engage further. "Just... don't make things uncomfortable for her, okay?"

With that, Non shrugged and walked away, leaving Freen feeling uneasy. She didn't want to come between Becky and her childhood friend, but she also couldn't shake the sense of protectiveness that flared whenever Non was around.

Later that evening, Freen and Becky were sitting on the couch in Freen's apartment, relaxing after a long week. They had settled into a comfortable routine of movie nights and cooking together, and Freen cherished every moment spent in Becky's company.

"Did you talk to Non today?" Becky asked, snuggling against Freen's side.

Freen hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "He mentioned wanting to take you out for dinner this weekend."

Becky's expression changed, concern flickering in her eyes. "Oh... I hope he didn't say anything awkward."

"He doesn't seem to understand that you don't feel the same way about him," Freen admitted, the jealousy creeping back into her voice.

Becky sighed, her expression softening. "I've tried to be honest with him, but he's persistent. I don't want to hurt him, but I can't lead him on."

"I know you don't want to hurt him, but I don't want to see you feel uncomfortable either," Freen confessed, feeling her protective instincts kick in.

"I appreciate that, Freen. But I also need to handle this myself. Non is my friend, and I don't want to hurt him any more than you do," Becky replied, resting her head on Freen's shoulder.

Freen wrapped an arm around Becky, feeling a swell of affection mixed with frustration. "I just wish he would take a hint. You deserve to have space without feeling pressured."

"I'll talk to him again if it gets out of hand," Becky promised, her tone reassuring. "But right now, let's focus on us."

As they settled into the comfort of each other's presence, Freen realized just how much she valued what they had. The connection between them was worth protecting, and she was determined to do whatever it took to keep it safe.

But the reality of Non's presence loomed like a dark cloud, threatening to complicate the bliss they had found together. Freen knew it wouldn't be easy, but she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, especially if it meant defending the relationship she was starting to cherish more than anything.

What do you think? What will happen next?