CHAPTER TEN — CLOSE ENCOUNTERS
The weekend air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of coffee and city streets. She had thought the office would be her only battlefield, but fate seemed intent on testing her outside those walls as well.
She walked briskly along the crowded sidewalk, clutching her bag tightly. Her mission was simple: pick up groceries, return home, and avoid unnecessary attention. Simple, yet her nerves refused to calm.
A sudden shout near the corner made her jump. Before she could react, a familiar voice rang out.
"Lin?"
Her heart nearly stopped. She turned, and there he was the CEO, casually dressed in dark jeans and a crisp shirt, holding a folder in one hand, a coffee cup in the other.
"What… what are you doing here?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
He smirked faintly. "I could ask you the same thing. Grocery shopping, alone? Dangerous for someone like you."
She blushed, fumbling with her bag. "It's… It's fine. I just… needed to run errands."
He studied her silently, eyes sharp and calculating. "Alone, huh? You sure about that?"
"Yes… Yes, I'm fine," she insisted, though her pulse raced with every step he took closer.
They walked side by side silently for a few moments, navigating the busy streets. She kept her gaze forward, but she couldn't ignore the subtle presence beside her the warmth, the calm confidence, the unspoken awareness in his eyes.
Finally, he broke the silence. "You handled that Chen project impressively."
"Thank you, sir," she said softly.
"Not just impressive," he continued, tone low and deliberate. "You were composed under pressure. Most people would have crumbled."
She swallowed hard, trying not to let her heart betray her. "I… I just did my best."
He glanced at her briefly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Your best seems… quite effective."
Her cheeks heated, and she quickly looked away. The city noises seemed to fade as a strange tension settled between them a mix of respect, admiration, and something more dangerous, more thrilling.
They reached the small grocery store she had intended to visit. She ducked inside quickly, hoping to create some distance, but he followed.
"Need help?" he asked casually, though his sharp eyes scanned her basket and her movements like a hawk.
"No… I'm fine," she replied, trying to sound firm, though her hands trembled slightly.
He leaned casually against the end of the aisle, watching her pick up items, offering occasional advice on brands and quantities. Each time he spoke, her pulse jumped.
"You're meticulous," he said finally, voice low. "I like that. But you should… relax a bit. Not everything requires perfection."
"I… I like things organized," she murmured, glancing up at him, caught between admiration and panic.
He smirked faintly. "Of course. But even the most organized people need moments off guard. Life has a way of testing us."
Her stomach twisted. Is he speaking metaphorically… or… She shook her head. Focus. Just survive.
By the time they reached the checkout, a small line had formed. She fumbled with her wallet, trying to stay composed.
"You seem tense," he remarked, leaning slightly closer as she handed over her card.
"I… I'm fine," she said quickly, avoiding his gaze.
"Uh-huh," he said dryly, though there was a hint of amusement in his tone. "Sure you are."
As they walked out together, carrying their groceries, the city lights began to glow warmly in the early evening.
"Lin," he said suddenly, his tone softening, "I need you to remember something. The world isn't always as safe as it seems. And neither is your disguise."
Her pulse raced. "I… understand."
He paused, looking at her in a way that made her stomach flutter uncontrollably. "Be careful… and don't forget to trust yourself. You're stronger than you think."
Her cheeks heated at the intensity of his gaze. She nodded, unable to speak.
When they reached her apartment, she quickly stepped inside, trying to regain composure. He followed for a moment, then stopped at the doorway.
"Good work this week," he said, tone calm but weighty. "I expect more from you next week. Don't disappoint me."
"I… won't," she whispered, still feeling the thrum of tension between them.
He gave a small nod, then turned and walked away, leaving her trembling in the apartment doorway.
That night, she lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying every moment. His words, his gaze, the casual way he had been so close to her it was intoxicating and terrifying.
She thought of her disguise, the life she was pretending to live, the responsibilities she had to protect her family. And yet, a dangerous thought crept in: she couldn't ignore the pull she felt toward him.
This is risky… so risky… she whispered to herself. One wrong move, and everything could fall apart.
And yet, even as she warned herself, she felt a spark of something else, something she hadn't allowed herself to feel in this foreign body, in this borrowed life.
A spark that promised danger, excitement… and perhaps… something more.
As she drifted into uneasy sleep, she knew one thing: the next week would test her more than ever.
Between office challenges, personal risks, and the growing tension with her boss, survival was no longer just about keeping her disguise intact.
It was about navigating a web of emotions she hadn't prepared for, and she might not escape unscathed.