Sealed with a kiss (WomanxWoman)

10

"You know, Charlotte asked about you." I looked up at Claire as she took my empty bowl to the sink.

"Yeah, she probably can't wait to fire me."

Claire dropped the bowl she was washing, turning to me in surprise. "Why would she want to do that?!" She dried her hands with a towel and walked over to me. "You're one of the hardest workers at Feingold. People who've been here much longer than you haven't accomplished what you've managed in just three months! Besides, Charlotte's really changed since you arrived. She's calmer, smiles more, and there's a sparkle in her eyes that I haven't seen in a long time."

I looked down at my hands. "It can't be because of me. I'm just a girl from a small town, trying to make something of myself."

Claire sat beside me and gently patted my leg."Jenny, you're so much more than you give yourself credit for. I wish you'd stop underestimating yourself. I don't know what mishap you're worried about with the campaign, but if you think you're getting fired just for taking a sick day, that's nonsense."

Oh god, if she only knew. But I couldn't tell her. I didn't want to get her or Charlotte in trouble. "Y-yeah, you're right... sorry."

Claire got up to finish the dishes. "First of all, I'm always right, dear. And second, there's no need to apologize. Just believe in yourself like I do, and like a lot of people at the office do. It's true, at first, I'd hear comments about how young you are and people wondering how you landed this job. But now, all they have are great things to say about you. Just remember your worth."

After she cleaned my kitchen-which I told her she didn't have to do, only to be scolded-she gathered her things, ready to leave. As she walked to the door, she said, "Feel better, dear. I have a feeling things will start looking up from here." She winked at me.

Her faith in me gave me a new strength. "Thank you, Claire." I smiled as I closed the door behind her. With everything that's happened, I'm really lucky to know her.

I sat back down on the sofa, feeling much more optimistic. It's time for me to grow up. The world will throw obstacles my way, and I need to learn to face them head-on. I'll go in tomorrow and handle whatever comes my way. I just hope I'm strong enough to face Charlotte. Well, there's only one way to find out.
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I arrived at work at 9:00 a.m., intentionally late enough to avoid being alone with Charlotte. I just couldn't face her one-on-one. When I walked in, almost everyone was already there. They greeted me warmly, checking in, making me feel truly cared for. Claire's words about the team's support rang true. In my peripheral vision, I noticed Charlotte stepping out of her office, likely drawn by the commotion. She gave me a brief glance that made my stomach flip before she turned and went back inside. Part of me felt a pang of disappointment-I miss her. But another part was relieved to have delayed whatever end might be looming.

I headed to my desk and pulled up the photos from the recent shoot. As I looked at each shot, memories of that night that I came to her office and we lost control, flooded back. "I can do this," I whispered to myself, grounding my resolve. I had a lot of work to wrap up. I needed to send out the photos and contact Cherry, among other things. Just in case Charlotte decided to let me go, I wanted everything ready for a smooth handover. The thought of not seeing this campaign through felt like a punch to the gut. It's my project, my vision-I can't believe I'm even contemplating the possibility of not finishing it.

By the end of the day, I debated whether to stay late or leave as soon as possible. Ultimately, I chose the latter, slipping out before anyone else could see me go. I'm not usually one to avoid things, but the tension between Charlotte and me felt unbearable.

Once home, I closed the door and let out a sigh of relief. I'd made it through another day. About an hour later, a knock startled me. I rarely get visitors, so I couldn't imagine who it could be. Peering through the peephole, I froze-Charlotte. What was she doing here? Had she come all this way just to fire me? My heart raced at the thought. It's one thing to be let go from a project, but to have it happen while looking into those piercing blue eyes... I didn't think I could handle it.

Another knock pulled me from my thoughts. "Jenny, I know you're home. Please open the door." Her voice didn't sound angry. I took a deep breath and opened the door. Charlotte stepped inside, not waiting for an invitation. She looked almost haunted, her eyes intense and filled with something I couldn't quite read.

"Charlotte, is everything okay?" I asked, sensing her agitation.

"No, Jenny. I'm not okay! How could you do this to me and then disappear the next day? What were you thinking?" Her words hit me like a storm, and I felt my throat tighten.

"I... I'm sorry!" I managed to stammer.

"You're sorry? Sorry for what? For running away?" Her voice softened just a bit. "Well, too bad."

Her frustration stung, and tears pricked at my eyes. "I didn't mean to. I'm sorry for putting you in a difficult position. I messed up... I shouldn't have kissed you. I didn't mean to make things harder for you with Jeffrey."

Charlotte's expression shifted, a flicker of vulnerability breaking through her frustration. "You don't understand. Since that night, I can't eat, I can't sleep-"

"I said I'm sorry!" I interrupted, desperate to explain.

She cut me off, her voice dropping to a softer, almost pained tone. "You didn't let me finish. I can't stop thinking about you... about how good it felt... about how I never realized it could be like that."

My eyes widened. Had I heard her right? "Wait, you're not mad at me for making you cheat? You didn't come here to fire me?"

Her blue eyes seemed almost darker as they met mine. "Is that why you've been avoiding me?"

I looked down, ashamed. "Well... yeah. I thought I'd messed things up with Jeffrey and that I'd crossed a line. I assumed you couldn't wait to get rid of me."

Charlotte laughed softly, a hint of relief in her tone. "Oh, Jenny, you did ruin what I had with Jeffrey-but not in the way you think. That night opened my eyes. And then, you vanished, and we never had a chance to talk about it."

My confusion deepened. "You... liked it? I wasn't the only one who felt it?"

Charlotte walked over to my couch and sat down, her posture finally relaxing. "'Liked it' is an understatement." She patted the seat beside her, gesturing for me to join her. "I really enjoyed what we did, and... I'd like to do it again, if you're willing, of course."

I nodded slowly, trying to wrap my mind around everything. "But there have to be boundaries. First, whatever happens between us has nothing to do with work. You'll be evaluated based solely on your work performance, not on... anything else."

My cheeks flushed at her bluntness. "Agreed. I want my work to stand on its own. I don't want to 'sleep my way to the top.'"

Charlotte smiled, a glint of admiration in her eyes. "Good. And another thing-we keep this outside the office. This is new for both of us, and I don't want anyone to know until we understand where this is going."

I nodded again. It made sense. But something still nagged at me. "What about Jeffrey? He's your fiancé... aren't you worried about being with me behind his back?"

Charlotte reached out and gently brushed her fingers against my cheek, sending shivers down my spine. "Jeffrey and I have been engaged for ages. It's more about appearances and my father's expectations than anything else. This... this is just for me. Are you okay with that?"

I hesitated, my mind racing. Could I really be okay with being the "other woman?" But this was Charlotte, and the thought of saying no seemed impossible.

"Do you need more time to think?" she asked, sounding almost disappointed. She stood up, turning to walk toward the door, ready to leave. Something inside me panicked, and before I knew it, I called out.

"Wait!" I blurted, feeling my heart pound as I closed the distance between us. Our lips clashed in a hungry kiss. The tension between us melting away. We paused, catching our breath.

"I thought about it... and I'm in."