Sasha had never felt the air at the office so thick,so suffocating. Every footstep she took echoed with a silence that screamed louder than any argument. Kian was avoiding her, and she was doing the same, but not because she wanted to. It was because every time their eyes accidentally met, it felt like a storm ready to break loose, like everything unspoken between them was threatening to spill out.
She buried herself in work, hoping it would numb the ache sitting at the pit of her stomach. Her mind, however, was still stuck in that night. His hands, the heat, the tension how everything had spiraled so fast and then just stopped. No calls. No texts. Just avoidance.
"Earth to Sasha?" Alani's voice snapped her back.
Sasha blinked up from her screen. "Sorry, what?"
"I said, girls' night. We're doing it Friday. You need out of your head, babe."
Sasha smiled weakly. "I don't think I'm in the mood..."
"No. You don't get a vote. You're coming," Alani said firmly. "It's time to stop babysitting your heartbreak. Come drink, laugh, scream into a karaoke mic or flirt with someone hot and clueless. And maybe tell us whats been going on with you and our boss lately"
The idea of laughter felt foreign, but Sasha nodded. Maybe distraction wasn't such a bad thing.
Kian's jaw clenched as he watched her through the glass wall of his office. She hadn't even looked his way today. The silence between them had become a battlefield,quiet glances, missed greetings, and fake laughter she gave others. It was like that night hadn't happened. Like they hadn't fallen apart and into each other in the same breath.
Adrian walked in, casual as always, sipping his espresso. "She's avoiding you too, huh?"
Kian didn't respond.
"You know, i really dont get how she managed to get under your skin mehn. Coz to me, she's an amaizing girl who deserves princess treatment ."
"I didn't mean for it to happen."
"No one ever does," Adrian said, lounging into the seat opposite him. "She's a storm, cousin. And you? You walked right into the eye of it."
Friday came quicker than expected. Sasha stood in front of her closet, trying to decide between pretending to be okay or staying home wrapped in shame and regrets.
She chose the first.
Alani's apartment was already buzzing when she arrived. Laughter. Music. Lip gloss and heels everywhere.
"Look who finally decided to show up!" someone called out.
"Shots!" Alani yelled, dragging Sasha straight to the kitchen counter. An hour later,Sasha was laughing. Really laughing. A little dizzy, a little lighter. Someone had put on early 2000s R&B, and she and the girls were screaming lyrics into imaginary microphones.
But then her phone buzzed.
*Kian: You okay?*
Sasha stared at it. Two words, and her heart skipped.
She didn't reply.
Sienna caught the look on her face. "Is it him?"
Sasha nodded.
"Then give me your phone."
"What?"
"You're not ruining tonight. Give. Me. Your. Phone."
Kian stared at his screen, the message left unread. His thumb hovered over the call button, then dropped. He wanted to explain. But how do you explain something you can't name?
He wanted her.
He was angry at himself for wanting her.
And worse, he was furious at how much silence from her hurt more than any words could.
The night stretched on. Laughter turned to whispers, games turned to confessions, and finally, Alani dragged out her box of ridiculous dresses for a makeshift fashion show.Sasha sat quietly on the balcony for a moment, nursing her drink and the ache in her chest.She whispered to herself, "Why did it have to be him?"She wasn't sure if she was ready for answers,or if answers would only break her more.But one thing was certain: silence wasn't making it easier. It was only making the longing louder.