The days passed in a careful rhythm.
Far-off glances across crowded rooms. Borrowed minutes in quiet hallways. A brief brush of hands when no one was looking.
Their relationship lived in the quiet moments—unnoticed, unspoken—but no less real.
Only when the office lights dimmed and the halls fell silent could Zoe and Stacy drop the masks.
Dinner at Stacy's apartment. Late-night drives. Quiet laughter over takeout.
It was the kind of relationship that moved quietly, but deeply.
Still, Stacy had her moments—moments when she couldn't help herself.
Zoe was hunched over her laptop, deeply focused, her eyes scanning through the final slide deck for the upcoming board meeting.
Everything had to be perfect.
She adjusted the formatting on a pie chart when suddenly—
Two arms wrapped around her from behind.
Zoe let out a sharp gasp, her fingers flying off the keyboard.
"You scared the hell out of me!"
"I'm sorry," came Stacy's voice, soft and amused, lips near her ear. "Didn't mean to."
But she didn't let go.
"Stacy..." Zoe said in a low whisper, twisting slightly in her chair. "They might see us."
She tried to pull away, but Stacy only held on tighter.
"So what? I love hugging you."
Her voice was light, but her arms were firm around Zoe's waist.
Zoe opened her mouth to protest again—
SLAM.
The door swung open with a sudden clatter. They both sprang apart instantly.
Stacy, caught off guard, stumbled back slightly on her heels, nearly losing her balance—but caught herself just in time. In one smooth motion, she pivoted toward the table and leaned over Zoe's laptop like nothing had happened.
"Yeah," she said calmly, nodding at the slide on the screen, "I like this one. It brings charisma to the design."
Zoe quickly minimized the slide preview and turned her attention to the entering employees—department heads, analysts, assistants—all finding their seats and preparing for the meeting.
No one seemed to notice anything... off.
Zoe exhaled quietly.
As she leaned in to grab her notes, she whispered under her breath, "Are you okay?"
Stacy didn't look at her. She just smiled faintly, eyes still on the screen.
"I think so. But you owe me for this."
That devilish smile again.
Zoe gave a quick glare, barely suppressing a grin.
-
The meeting began.
Zoe stood at the front, confident and polished, her voice calm as she navigated the slides and outlined the quarterly forecast. She spoke clearly, answered questions, and commanded the room.
But Stacy—seated near the head of the table—kept watching her.
Her eyes drifted from the charts on the screen to the subtle way Zoe gestured when she spoke... to the soft rise of her breath between sentences. She looked composed. Professional. In control.
But Stacy knew every bit of the nervous energy behind those calm eyes.
And that made it all the more impossible to look away.
At one point, Zoe glanced toward her—just briefly—and their eyes met.
It lasted less than a second, but it sent something fluttering in her chest.
Zoe looked away first.
An hour later, the meeting wrapped up smoothly.
People stood, murmuring small talk and gathering their notes. Compliments were passed around.
"Impressive presentation, Zoe."
"Really clear breakdown—good job."
Zoe smiled and nodded, her professionalism fully intact.
As the last of the department heads filtered out of the room, Stacy stood and walked slowly toward the projector cable, pretending to check something—until they were alone.
She leaned in, her voice quiet and teasing.
"You know, Ms. Rivera..."
"What now?" Zoe asked, amused but wary.
"You handled that like a pro."
A beat.
"But I'd like to request more private prep sessions. You're very... inspiring up close."
Zoe rolled her eyes but couldn't help the smile tugging at her lips.
"You're incorrigible."
"You love that about me."
Before Zoe could respond, Stacy was already walking out the door—cool, elegant, every bit the CEO.
But she paused in the hallway, just long enough to glance back and flash Zoe a small, secret smile.
-
That night at Stacy's apartment.
Zoe tapped the keycard Stacy had given her days ago—her silent permission to come and go as she pleased. With a soft beep and a click, the door opened, and Zoe stepped inside, instantly welcomed by the familiar scent of vanilla and books.
She spotted Stacy curled up on the couch, fast asleep, still in her office clothes, hair slightly tousled from the nap. Zoe smiled to herself. This was a rare sight—the fierce, sharp-tongued CEO was now all soft edges and gentle breaths. Quietly, she walked over and sat beside her, careful not to wake her.
Leaning in, Zoe brushed a few stray strands of hair from Stacy's face, her fingers lingering just a moment too long. She couldn't help but admire her—how beautiful she looked in this vulnerability. Peaceful. Unarmored. The opposite of the boss everyone tiptoed around at the office.
She gently cupped Stacy's cheek, her thumb lightly caressing her skin.
Suddenly, Stacy's eyes fluttered open.
Zoe pulled her hand back, startled. "Oh, sorry! Did I wake you up?"
Stacy blinked groggily and smiled. "Oh. I fell asleep? Damn. I had a client meeting earlier and must've knocked out after. I'm sorry—I was supposed to pick you up after work."
Zoe shook her head, smiling. "It's fine. You know I don't mind grabbing taxi."
Stacy stretched, letting out a little groan. "Still. I should've been there."
"Have you eaten yet?" Zoe asked, concern creeping into her tone.
"Nope. I was buried in paperwork, then I guess I just dozed off." Stacy said, flashing a lazy, playful smile. She turned toward Zoe, eyes twinkling. "But look at that—dinner showed up anyway," she whispered, trailing light kisses along Zoe's shoulder.
Zoe blushed. "Silly," she said, lightly pushing her shoulder. "Come on, let's cook. I was thinking chicken Alfredo tonight?"
"Mmm...," Stacy said, pretending to think. "Tempting. But I still think you're the real meal tonight."
"Stacy!" Zoe laughed, her cheeks turning red.
"Okay, okay," Stacy chuckled. "I'll behave. Let's cook. I'm starving."
But as she stood up and took a step, she winced. "Ow!"
Zoe was instantly on her feet. "What happened? Are you okay?"
Stacy grimaced as she sat back down. "I think I twisted my ankle a bit when you pushed me a little too hard as people were coming into the boardroom."
"Oh no—Stacy, I'm so sorry, babe!" Zoe said, crouching in front of her, guilt washing over her face. "I didn't know you really got hurt..."
"It's not your fault. Just a little twist," Stacy assured her, trying to wave it off.
But Zoe wasn't having it. She gently eased Stacy down, then lifted her leg with care, resting it across her lap before carefully slipping off her heel.
"Let me see," she said softly, inspecting the ankle.
"It's not too bad," Stacy murmured, watching Zoe with a slight smirk.
"Still," Zoe said, beginning to massage her foot gently. "You need to rest it. You're always pushing yourself too hard."
Stacy's eyes fluttering shut again, but this time out of comfort. "Mmm... That feels way too good."
Zoe smiled. "Good. You deserve it."
They stay in silence for a moment, the quiet hum of the city outside the windows their only soundtrack. Zoe's hands moved in slow, careful circles, and Stacy visibly relaxed under her touch.
Stacy tugged gently at her hand. "Come here."
Zoe lay onto the couch beside her, letting Stacy pull her close.
"Let's just stay like this a little longer" Stacy murmured, her fingers brushing softly through Zoe's hair as Zoe lay with her head nestled against her chest.
Zoe let out a quiet laugh, her voice muffled. "But you said you were starving."
"Dinner can wait," Stacy said softly, wrapping her arms around her. "I've already got everything I need right here."
The room fell into a comfortable silence, broken only by the steady rhythm of Stacy's heartbeat beneath Zoe's cheek and the quiet hum of the city beyond the windows.
Zoe closed her eyes, savoring the warmth and the gentle brush of Stacy's fingers through her hair. Her heart fluttered in a way that had nothing to do with hunger or exhaustion.
Stacy pressed a lingering kiss to Zoe's forehead, her voice barely above a whisper. "You always quiet the noise."
Zoe smiled softly, her breath catching just a little. "Right back at you."
For a moment, time seemed to pause—the world shrinking until it was just the two of them, suspended between a whispered promise and a shared heartbeat.