Chapter 4 Professional distance

Chapter four

Emily sneaked out of her apartment, cautiously peering around to ensure her boss wasn't in sight. As she waited, her mom snuck up behind her, curious about her daughter's furtive behavior.

"What are you up to?" her mom whispered, startling Emily.

"Oh my God, you scared me!" Emily exclaimed, spinning around.

"Sorry, but who are you hiding from?" her mom asked, scanning their surroundings.

"No one. I'm heading out now," Emily replied hastily, taking her leave.

"Bye, darling," her mom bid, watching Emily go. Then, she walked into the hallway as Alex arrived, dressed for work.

"Hello!" Miss Tessa greeted with a warm smile.

"Good morning, Ma," Alex replied.

Miss Tessa's gaze lingered, expecting an introduction. "Morning... Alex?"

"Yes, Alex," he confirmed.

"Ooh, Alex, I hope you like your room," Miss Tessa asked, smiling.

"It's not all that bad," Alex replied.

"Glad you like it. Feel free to call if you need any help," Miss Tessa offered.

"I will. Bye then," Alex said, quickly ending the conversation.

"Okay, bye," Miss Tessa said, returning to her apartment.

****************

"Mr. Alex? What?" Sarah exclaimed, shocked. "I know, right? I can't believe this is happening to me," Emily said, slumping helplessly in her seat.

"CSO, if Mr. Alex lives next door, that makes you guys neighbors," Sarah said with a sly smile.

Emily shuddered. "Don't say 'neighbors.' It gives me the creeps."

Sarah chuckled. "Then what are you? Next-door guy? Tenant?"

Emily frowned. "Anything but 'neighbor.'"

Emily's dread deepened, thinking about living under the same roof as her boss. "Ugh, I hate my life." She straightened up, preparing for work.

Alex struggled to focus, haunted by the previous day's events. Sharing a roof with Emily would be disastrous. Her workplace antics already tested his patience.

The door opened, and Ethan entered, noticing Alex's distraction. "What's wrong?"

Alex hesitated before speaking. "Did you research the apartment's background?"

"Background? What are you getting at?Ethan questioned with a puzzled look. "You know, like the owners background, family history, stuffs like that" Alex said "And why do you need that?" Ethan inquired

"For security reasons." Alex replied. Ethan raised an eyebrow, sensing deception. "Want me to investigate?"

Alex quickly declined. "No need." Ethan nodded "Inform me if you change your mind." He said then went ahead with his work.

*************

Emily stood confidently beside the projector, presenting her breakdown of the new project. Alex flipped through the files, his expression unreadable. Emily glanced at him repeatedly, seeking reassurance, but his stoic face revealed nothing.

As she concluded, Emily's nervousness intensified, hoping Alex would approve. His response was mixed – a nod of appreciation tempered by a hint of dissatisfaction.

"Is that all?" Alex asked, his tone neutral.

"Yes, that's all," Emily replied, stuttering slightly.

"Okay, I'll review and get back to you. Let's wrap up for today," Alex said, standing to leave.

Emily's mind raced, wondering what Alex truly thought. His ambiguous response left her unsettled.

Sarah approached, concerned. "You okay?"

Emily exhaled, packing her files. "Just anxious. You know how Sir Alex can be. I hope everything works out and he approves."

Sarah offered a reassuring smile. "You did great. He'll come around."

As they walked out together, Emily's thoughts lingered on Alex's enigmatic response.......

*************

Alex focused on his work when the door swung open. A elegant young woman, Diana, walked in with a captivating smile. Alex's stern expression deepened as he struggled to recall where he'd seen her before.

"Hi, I'm Diana," she introduced, extending her hand.

Alex ignored her, his expression unyielding.

"Don't you think it's rude to ignore a lady?" Diana asked, her tone laced with sarcasm.

"And don't you think it's rude to barge into someone's office uninvited?" Alex retorted.

Diana's smile faltered. "You stood me up on our dates. Twice."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "You must be the minister's daughter."

Diana scoffed. "Wow, interesting. Are you always this rude?"

Just then, Emily entered with files, halting at the tense scene.

"Pardon my manners..." Emily trailed off.

Alex swiftly intervened, his demeanor transforming. "Darling, I've been expecting you."

Emily's confusion was palpable as Alex approached her with an unnerving smile.

"What's going on?" Emily whispered.

"How about lunch together? I've missed you," Alex said, his hand on her shoulder.

Emily's heart raced. This was the closest Alex had ever been to her.

As Diana seethed, Alex dismissed her. "Would you excuse us? We have an appointment."

Diana shot Emily a scornful glance before departing.

Alex released Emily the moment Diana left. His demeanor reverted to its usual sternness.

"Here are the files you requested," Emily said softly, placing them on his desk.

"If that's all, you can leave. I'll get back to you ," Alex dismissed.

Emily's expectations of an apology or explanation were shattered. Without a word, she departed.

Alex exhaled deeply, his nervousness evident. He brushed his hair, biting his lip.

"What was I thinking?" he wondered, recalling the incident and his unexpected attraction to Emily.

"Geez, what's wrong with me?" Alex chided himself, struggling to refocus.

****************

Emily hastily entered her office, attempting to compose herself. She rushed to her desk, focusing on work to calm her racing thoughts. Her cheeks still flushed from the unexpected encounter.

"Hey, what's up, babe?" Sarah approached, concern etched on her face.

"Nothing," Emily replied quickly, avoiding eye contact.

Sarah's curiosity was piqued. "Ooh, OK," she said, sensing her friend's distress.

Sarah returned to her seat, periodically glancing at Emily, worried. She knew Emily's "nothing" meant something.

*******************

Here's a polished version:

As working hours ended, Emily stayed behind to finish tasks. Focused on her work, she heard footsteps approaching. Looking up, she met Alex's gaze, her heart skipping a beat.

"Working hours are over. What are you doing?" Alex asked, his tone firm.

"Just finishing some work, then I'll leave," Emily replied.

"Whatever. That's not why I'm here," Alex said, his arrogance evident.

"Why ask, then?" Emily muttered under her breath.

"Pardon?" Alex asked, noticing her comment.

"Nothing," Emily replied hastily.

"How many colleagues know we're neighbors?" Alex asked, eyes narrowing.

Emily shrugged, perplexed. "I...I don't know."

Alex's annoyance grew. "Never mind. Probably the whole company knows by now."

With that, he walked away, leaving Emily bewildered.

"(Scoff) What the heck, such a jerk," Emily whispered, shaking her head.

Later, Emily arrived home, exhausted. In the kitchen,she met her mom preparing dinner.

"Hello, Mom," Emily said, forcing a smile.

"How was work, dear?" her mom asked.

"Not bad," Emily replied, eyeing packaged dishes.

"What's with the food?" Emily asked.

"I'm making dinner for our new tenant. He seems unsettled," her mom explained.

Emily raised an eyebrow. "How is that your business, Mom? Are you his mother?"

Her mom's eyes widened at Emily's sharp tone. Emily grabbed an apple and stormed off.

Her mom shrugged, took the dishes, and headed to Alex's apartment.

****************

Mrs. Tessa arrived at Alex's apartment and rang the doorbell. The door swung open, and Alex walked out. "Hi," Mrs. Tessa said with a warm smile.

"Hi," Alex replied.

"Have you had dinner?" Mrs. Tessa asked.

"Not really," Alex said calmly.

Mrs. Tessa offered him a lunch box. "Here you go, I made this for you."

Alex felt a strange, unfamiliar sensation – being cared for and loved. He hesitantly accepted the meal.

"Enjoy it, it's delicious," Mrs. Tessa said. "And feel free to visit our apartment anytime you're bored."

"OK, Ma," Alex responded.

"Will be expecting you. Good night," Mrs. Tessa said before leaving.

Alex entered his apartment, unpacked the box and served himself dinner. "Hmm," he said, savoring the food.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Tessa returned to her apartment and visited her daughter Emily's room. "Mind if I come in?" she asked, noticing Emily was awake.

"Yeah, come in," Emily replied.

Mrs. Tessa sat beside Emily on the bed. "You okay, darling?"

"Yeah, I'm good," Emily said.

Mrs. Tessa asked again, "Is something bothering you?"

"Nothing, I'm good," Emily replied.

Mrs. Tessa reassured her, "Mama's always here for you when you need her." She pecked Emily's forehead.

As a single mom, Mrs. Tessa had faced complicated issues with her ex-husband, who left her for another woman. She discovered her pregnancy after separating and kept it hidden to avoid disrupting his new marriage.

"I will, Mom. Good night," Emily said as her mom left. But Mrs. Tessa paused.

"Are you crushing on the new tenant?" Mrs. Tessa asked.

Emily blurted, "Eeewww, that's gross! Why would I crush on my boss?" before realizing her mistake.

Her mom exclaimed, "Wait, what? Your boss is the tenant! Why didn't you tell me?"

"I felt it wasn't necessary," Emily replied.

Mrs. Tessa said, "The man who's been giving you a hard time is now our tenant, and you didn't inform me."

Emily requested, "Please don't overreact."

Mrs. Tessa clarified, "I won't harm him. I'll put in good words for him; this is great – you'll get closer to your boss."

Emily felt uneasy, sensing her mom's hidden agenda.

"Really, Mom? Are you for me or my arrogant boss?" Emily asked.

Mrs. Tessa smiled. "Both. Get to bed, baby. Tomorrow will be great."

Emily warned, "Don't try anything stupid, Mom."

Mrs. Tessa's response left Emily wondering about her plans.