Signed by desires

Unspoken Tensions

The golden rays of the morning sun streamed through the glass windows of CKM's towering headquarters. The building buzzed with the usual hustle, employees rushing to their stations, files in hand, and the hum of a new workday in full swing. Amid the organized chaos, Noeul stepped out of the elevator, his heart racing as he adjusted the pristine white collar of his shirt. His reflection in the polished elevator doors betrayed his flustered state.

He had spent the entire night replaying the events at Boss Chaikamon's house. Every kiss, every touch—they haunted his thoughts, making it nearly impossible to focus. As he made his way through the corridors, he felt a dozen pairs of eyes on him. His colleagues greeted him with their usual cheerful nods, oblivious to the whirlwind of emotions brewing beneath his composed exterior.

Reaching Boss's private office, Noeul hesitated for a moment, his fingers lingering on the doorknob. "Keep it professional," he muttered to himself. Taking a deep breath, he pushed the door open.

Inside, Boss sat at his desk, the picture of authority. He was reviewing some documents, his tailored suit immaculate as always. The moment Noeul stepped in, Boss's gaze lifted, locking onto him with an intensity that sent a shiver down Noeul's spine.

"You're late," Boss remarked, his tone calm but laced with a subtle edge.

Noeul blinked, flustered. "I... I apologize, sir. The elevator—"

"No excuses," Boss interrupted, his lips curving into the faintest smirk. "Close the door."

Swallowing hard, Noeul obeyed, the soft click of the door amplifying the tension in the room. He approached the desk cautiously, placing a stack of reports in front of Boss.

"Here are the documents you requested," he said, his voice steadier than he expected.

Boss leaned back in his chair, his dark eyes never leaving Noeul's face. "How was your evening, Noeul?"

The question caught him off guard. "It was... uneventful," he lied, his cheeks betraying him with a faint blush.

Boss's smirk deepened. "Uneventful, huh? That's not how I remember it."

Noeul's breath hitched. "Sir, I think we should focus on work," he said quickly, trying to steer the conversation back to safer territory.

Boss rose from his chair, the movement slow and deliberate. He circled the desk, closing the distance between them. Noeul instinctively stepped back, his heart pounding as his back met the wall. Boss loomed over him, his presence overwhelming.

"Why are you avoiding me?" Boss asked, his voice low and smooth, yet carrying an undeniable weight.

"I'm not—" Noeul began, but the words died in his throat as Boss placed a hand on the wall beside him, caging him in.

"You are," Boss said, his gaze piercing. "Last night—did it mean nothing to you?"

Noeul's eyes widened. "It's not that," he stammered. "It's just... we're at work."

Boss leaned closer, his breath warm against Noeul's ear. "So, if we weren't at work?"

Noeul's knees felt weak. "Boss... this isn't appropriate," he whispered, his voice trembling.

Boss chuckled softly, the sound sending a shiver down Noeul's spine. "You think too much, Noeul," he murmured. His fingers brushed against Noeul's jaw, tilting his face upward. For a moment, their eyes met, the tension crackling like electricity.

Just then, a knock on the door shattered the moment. Noeul exhaled sharply as Boss stepped back, his expression unreadable.

"Come in," Boss said, his tone once again cold and professional.

The door opened to reveal Suri, one of the senior managers. She entered, oblivious to the charged atmosphere. "Sir, we have the presentation scheduled in fifteen minutes," she informed him.

Boss nodded. "I'll be there." As Suri left, he turned back to Noeul. "We're not done here," he said, his voice low and firm.

Noeul swallowed hard, nodding before retreating from the office. As he walked down the corridor, he felt his colleagues' curious glances but paid them no mind. His thoughts were a whirlwind, his emotions a mix of anxiety and something far more dangerous.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of meetings and tasks. Noeul threw himself into his work, hoping to distract himself, but Boss's presence loomed over him, his gaze lingering longer than necessary during team discussions, his touch brushing against Noeul's hand when passing files.

By the time the office began to empty, Noeul was exhausted. He gathered his belongings, eager to escape the suffocating tension. As he stepped into the elevator, he breathed a sigh of relief—only for it to be short-lived as a hand stopped the doors from closing.

Boss stepped inside, the space suddenly feeling much smaller. Noeul's pulse quickened as Boss pressed a button, sending the elevator descending to the underground parking lot.

The silence was deafening as they stood side by side. Noeul could feel the heat radiating from Boss, his presence overwhelming.

"You're quiet," Boss remarked, his voice breaking the silence.

"Just tired," Noeul replied, keeping his gaze fixed on the floor.

The elevator came to a stop, the doors sliding open to reveal the dimly lit parking lot. Noeul stepped out, only to feel Boss's hand close around his wrist, stopping him in his tracks.

"Noeul," Boss said, his voice soft yet commanding. "Look at me."

Noeul hesitated before turning to face him. The intensity in Boss's eyes made his breath hitch.

"You can run from me all you want," Boss said, his grip firm but not painful. "But you can't run from what's between us."

Noeul's heart raced. He wanted to protest, to deny it—but the truth was undeniable. The line between them had blurred, and there was no going back.