Assigned Bride [Unrequited Love]

9

After Francesco dropped me off, I barely remember making it through the front door. It felt like I floated in a fog, every step homeward heavy with confusion and hurt. By the time I collapsed onto the living room sofa, my heart felt tangled in knots I didn't know how to untie.

I didn't hear Morgan come in, but suddenly, I was aware of her presence moving gently through the dark, quiet space. She must have sensed the heaviness I'd carried inside, the chill in the room deeper than the night air outside. When she returned, I felt the warmth of her hand on mine, anchoring me, and the comforting aroma of hot chocolate filled the space between us. She'd handed me a steaming mug, the faint sweetness replacing the coldness that had seeped into my bones.

I looked up into her concerned eyes, unable to hold back the broken whisper that escaped my lips. "I don't know what to do now."

The words sounded foreign and strange, almost as if they came from someone else. But in her eyes, I saw understanding and care that felt like a balm on a wound I hadn't let myself acknowledge. My mind raced back to the kiss-unexpected, intense, and brimming with emotions that terrified me.

I had thought I had control over my feelings, that my admiration for Francesco was safely tucked away. He was just an unspoken motivator, or so I believed. But he shattered that illusion with a single, reckless gesture, unleashing emotions I wasn’t prepared to confront.

"It was simple before," I murmured, my fingers tightening around the mug as if I could draw strength from its warmth. "I was just doing my job, focusing on my goals. Francesco was... someone I looked up to, someone who pushed me to be better. But he made me feel things that I thought were buried long ago. He made me feel seen, valued, and..."

My voice trailed off, and I could feel tears sting the back of my eyes, but I forced them down. I didn't want to be vulnerable. Not now. Not again. "After everything that's happened, I'd just started to feel in control of my life again. And now..."

I couldn't say more. I took a deep, shaky breath, trying to focus on the mug in my hands, the warmth seeping into my palms. "Maybe I'm just not meant to have happiness that lasts," I whispered, more to myself than to Morgan, the realization hitting harder than I'd expected.

When dawn finally broke after a restless night, the empty hours stretching on endlessly, I prepared for work, my mind bracing for what lay ahead. I would have to face him today. The thought made my chest feel tight, but I knew I had to keep my head up. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, my lips curving into a determined smile that felt hollow, forced, but necessary.

As I smoothed my clothes and squared my shoulders, I spoke softly to my reflection, a promise to myself. "Don't worry, heart. I'll keep you hidden and safe. No one will see."

___________

As I walked into the building, every glance felt sharper, every whisper louder, cutting through the silence, their voices hushed but unmistakable. I could feel the eyes of my coworkers lingering a bit too long, watching me with looks that felt almost invasive. I couldn’t shake the feeling that everyone knew what happened the night before, that they’d all read the gossip pages and tabloid buzzing with photos of Francesco’s impulsive kiss. By the time I reached my desk, I felt my chest tightening from all the attention. But I needed to act like nothing had changed.

Taking a deep breath, I grabbed Francesco’s coffee and made my way to his office. Knocking lightly, I stepped into his office, and the air thickened. Francesco’s intense gaze followed me as I crossed the room, his eyes holding a hint of something I couldn’t quite place, as if he were searching my face for answers to questions he hadn’t dared ask. I felt myself burn up under his stare, my traitorous eyes flickering down to his lips, a memory of last night’s unexpected kiss resurfacing with startling clarity, recalling the feeling of them against mine. The memory made me flush more, but then, as I looked up, I saw something that doused that warmth instantly —the guilt in his eyes. His expression shifted, and the reminder of how little he seemed to care about my feelings sent a chill through me. Quickly, I set down his coffee and left before he could speak.