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Chapter 39 - Boundaries and Breaking Points

It was lunch hour at the office. Shelly had agreed to step out with her new male co-worker, Max, to discuss some project details over coffee. The sun was warm, the street buzzing with the usual midday rush. They were walking side by side, conversation light yet professional, when fate decided to play its hand.

Halfway to the café, Shelly froze. A familiar figure stood in their path — tall, composed, but with eyes that seemed to pierce straight into hers.

Denial.

He looked directly at her, ignoring Max completely. "Yesterday… I came to talk to you about something important," his voice was low, almost accusing, "but I never got the chance."

Shelly shifted uncomfortably. "I'm busy right now, Denial. I'll talk to you after work," she said, trying to keep her tone casual.

She moved to step past him, but his voice followed her, sharp and demanding, "Who's the guy walking beside you?"

"Oh… sorry," Shelly exhaled, realizing she'd skipped the introductions. Gesturing to Max, she explained, "This is Max. He's new here — very smart. We're working together." Then she turned to Max, "This is Denial… a good friend of mine."

Denial's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly. He stepped forward, extending a hand to Max. "Work hard," he said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes — and then, with just enough pressure in the handshake to make Max wince.

Max managed a polite smile, but Shelly had seen it. "Denial!" she snapped lightly, pulling Max's hand away.

Still, Denial didn't back down. "When you're done with work, I'll pick you up," he said, his tone making it sound more like an order than an offer.

Shelly, aware of the public setting, nodded just to end the moment. "Fine."

Back at the office, work piled up faster than she could handle. Realizing she'd be staying late, she called her father to tell him not to wait for her. Max offered to help, but Shelly politely refused, sending him home.

She didn't know Denial was still outside. Waiting.

When she didn't appear, his patience thinned. He called her — once, twice — but Shelly, fully aware of the ringing phone, ignored it.

Minutes later, Denial was inside the building. He searched floor by floor until finally, on the 14th floor, he found her — standing by the copier, arms full of documents, frustration etched on her face.

Relief softened his features for a moment. Without a word, he dragged a chair into the corner and opened his laptop, working silently but watching her every movement.

Shelly startled when she noticed him. "What are you doing here? How do you even know where I am?"

"I checked every floor until I found you," he said simply, locking eyes with her. "You were busy, so I didn't disturb you."

Her patience frayed. "Denial, just go home. I don't think I'll finish this tonight."

"I can help."

"No," she said firmly. "Go home."

"Not without you."

Her chest tightened. She didn't want to argue anymore. When he asked to borrow her phone, she handed it over without thinking — and he noticed the wallpaper immediately.

It was a photo from that night at the restaurant… the two of them, side by side. His lips curved into a faint smile.

"What's your password?" he asked.

"My birthday," she replied distractedly.

Unlocking it, he dialed her father. "Hello, Uncle? It's Denial. I'm with Shelly right now — I'll make sure she gets home safe once she's done."

Her father thanked him warmly, unaware of the tension in the room. Denial set the phone down on her desk and quietly began helping her with the files.

At first, she resisted. But exhaustion won, and soon she was resting her head on the desk beside him.

Denial worked quickly, his gaze drifting to her peaceful face. A strand of hair fell across her cheek, and he brushed it away gently. The urge was too strong. Leaning in, his lips touched hers — soft, fleeting… but enough.

Shelly's eyes snapped open. Shock turned instantly to fury. She shoved him back.

"What are you doing?! We're friends, Denial! You just ruined that — and this was my first kiss!"

His face paled. "I… I'm sorry."

"No," she spat, "you're not just a bad friend. You're someone who's killed your own lovers. You're not worthy of love. And you're definitely not worthy of my friendship."

Her words cut deep, and she pushed past him toward the door.

He followed, voice breaking, "Shelly, please! Don't leave me… I have no one. I'm completely alone. I swear, I'll never cross the line again — just give me one more chance."

She turned sharply, shoving him away. "Fine. One chance. But only as friends. Nothing more."

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