The Unspoken Currents

The Tipping Point

Becky stood in front of her mirror, smoothing down the front of her outfit. Today felt different. There was no need for the power suits or sharp edges that usually defined her. This wasn't a courtroom battle or a high-stakes negotiation. It was just a casual bonding day at Nexis, something Freen had organized to ease the stress her employees had been feeling. And yet, Becky still wanted to make an impression. More than that, she wanted to feel at ease. Comfortable, but still herself.

She opted for high-waisted jeans paired with a sleek, fitted black top. Casual, yet polished—just enough to remind her that she wasn't entirely shedding her armor. There was always a game being played, even in moments like this. Especially when it involved Freen.

The past few weeks had been... surprisingly good. Becky and Freen had settled into a rhythm that felt less like walking on broken glass and more like carefully treading over uneven ground. They shared lunch, exchanged jokes, and had even found an unexpected ease in meetings. But under that calm, an undercurrent of tension simmered. It was the words left unsaid, the lingering looks they both pretended not to notice. Freen was still a force in Becky's life, and no matter how much she tried to bury it, some part of her wondered where that would lead.

By the time Becky arrived at the event, it was already in full swing. Nexis employees were scattered across the venue, chatting and laughing in a way that was rarely seen in the office. The casual atmosphere was a stark contrast to the high-pressure world they operated in, and Becky could feel the weight of their usual roles slipping away.

Freen stood near the entrance, talking with a few employees. Becky's breath hitched for a moment. Freen, dressed down in a loose black shirt and light denim shorts, looked effortlessly beautiful. There was something disarmingly charming about her today, the casual confidence she carried feeling more authentic than the sharp, commanding CEO persona Becky usually saw.

For a split second, Becky allowed herself to simply take her in—the woman who had once been her whole world. She let herself feel the quiet admiration that had been buried under layers of anger and regret. But just as quickly, she forced it back down.

Focus, she reminded herself. This wasn't about Freen. It was just another day.

Becky joined Kade and Noey, who had come along as her juniors for the event. They joked and laughed, but her attention kept slipping back to Freen, catching glimpses of her through the crowd. It annoyed her how easily Freen still pulled her focus, how effortlessly she could draw Becky in with just a glance.

"Ms. Armstrong, you're distracted," Kade teased, nudging her arm. "You keep looking over at Freen. Something on your mind?"

Becky smirked, deflecting with ease. "Not at all. Just keeping an eye on things."

"Uh-huh," Noey chimed in, clearly unconvinced. "You've been staring. Admit it."

Before Becky could respond, Freen started making her way toward them, her eyes already locked on Becky. There was that feeling again, the slight catch in her breath, the shift in the room's atmosphere when Freen was near.

"Speaking of Freen," Kade whispered, "here she comes."

Freen approached with a smile that seemed directed solely at Becky, her eyes lingering just a moment too long. "Hey, glad to see you all made it," she said, her voice carrying a warmth that made Becky's chest tighten. "How's everything so far?"

"Great," Kade replied, raising her drink. "Enjoying the free food and drinks. Nice to have a break from work."

Becky chuckled softly, her voice betraying none of the internal turmoil. "Yeah, it's been a nice change of pace."