Chapter 5 Stolen Moments

I should've been able to see this coming from a mile away. I should have known that Fiona's passion for me would be so strong.

There was something about being around her, hearing her laugh. It made our emotional energy rise sharply, especially when our eyes met and we both knew no one else was there.

At the beginning, Fiona didn't want it to happen. she never intended to cross that boundary. But as days went on, it became increasingly difficult for her to resist the allure.

Fiona had always admired me. She told me I was magnetic, confident. Strong, successful, influential... everything I'd worked hard to become.

And when I began to notice her more-when I looked at her like no one else was in the room, I could tell she was drawn to me.

It was a risky game, but she couldn't help herself. Neither could I.

She was Isla's best friend. The one who had always been there for her, through everything. She knew Isla's secrets and flaws. But Fiona had always been jealous of her. Isla was gorgeous, smart, and had me.

Fiona had watched as Isla soared in her career, as she built a life with me, while Fiona felt like she'd stood still. She never felt good enough. Not too beautiful, not charming. Isla was the one everyone loved.

Then Fiona discovered that my marriage was lacking the spark...

maybe because Isla hadn't given me children yet... or maybe I just needed someone to talk to, someone to laugh with.

Fiona was there. The helper, the one who listened, who could make me laugh. It started with small things, harmless touches. But now we were both enjoying the passion.

A squeeze on the shoulder, a quiet word of encouragement at work. At first, it felt innocent. But then... the spark was there. And once it was lit, I couldn't put it out.

That was the moment I realized it was possible to fall in love with Fiona...the way her eyes softened, the way her lips parted like she wasn't sure whether to kiss me.

We'd definitely crossed the line.

It began as a secret... just a few kisses in the dark corners of the office, those shared rushes when no one was looking. I tried to believe it wasn't a big deal.

After all, I was still married to Isla. Fiona was just... someone to turn to, someone to comfort me when I felt alone. That's what I told myself. But I was wrong. It was more than that.

Because the more time I spent with Fiona, the more I loved her.

I didn't want her to remain a secret. I wanted more. I wanted her to be the one I came to at night when I was tired, the one who helped me forget about the stress of the company and my life. And Fiona... she wanted it too. I saw it in the way she waited for me in her office after hours.

I'd always find an excuse... "Just checking in on you, Fiona" or "I wanted to make sure you're not overworking yourself," but we both knew what it really meant.

We'd stay late in the office, working quietly side by side.

But the silence was never awkward. The air between us buzzed with something unspoken, something growing stronger with every stolen minute.

My hand on her arm during meetings. Leaning in just a bit too close when I spoke to her.

Those lingering stares.

I found myself doing these more when Isla wasn't around.

Fiona wanted them. She looked forward to them. Missed them when they weren't there. We laughed and joked.

Sometimes she'd rest her head on my shoulder for a second. My fingers brushing hers sent shivers through me.

I knew it was a dangerous game we were playing.

I knew it was wrong.

But every time she looked at me or let me kiss her when we thought no one could see, I didn't care. I told myself I deserved this. I told myself Fiona deserved to be noticed.

Maybe she wasn't as intelligent as Isla, but she was beautiful in her own way. She had my attention. More than she knew.

And then the office began to notice.

At first, it was small things... fleeting glances, hidden smiles. But then the whispers started. When we passed the break room, I could feel the eyes on us.

The way people looked away when we spoke. They were beginning to put the pieces together. We tried to keep our affair hidden. We had to. If anyone found out, especially Isla...it would be a disaster.

My reputation. My marriage. Everything I'd built. All of it could be destroyed in seconds. I hoped it would never come to that.

But hiding it wasn't easy. And I couldn't help how fast my heart beat when I saw her across the office.

I couldn't stop myself from hovering too long beside her desk.

We were walking a tightrope, balancing between love and betrayal with every second we spent together.

One afternoon, I closed my office door while she was sorting through papers. It was already past five. I had stayed late again, like always.

She walked down the hallway, her steps quiet, like she hoped no one would notice. When I saw her, a small smile crept over my face. I felt different around her.

The walls I'd built as a CEO, the cold exterior, they all dropped away when I was with her.

Around her, I was just Lachlan.

"You've had a long day," she whispered, standing at the door.

"Yes," I nodded, still smiling. "Always. But I'm glad I work with someone who knows how to keep up."

I saw her heart flutter. She stepped closer, just close enough for me to catch the soft scent of her perfume.

"I can get you that report tomorrow," she said. "But you have to rest tonight."

I stepped in, the tension thick between us. "You work too hard. You need a break, Fiona." I grazed her hand gently, feeling the electricity spark between us.

Before she could reply, I leaned in and kissed her-soft but full of longing. The world disappeared for a moment, and everything we wanted was there in that kiss.

Her breath caught as she tried to pull away. "Lachlan," she whispered, barely able to say it.

I smiled and cupped her cheek. "I know," I whispered back. "But it seems right, doesn't it?"

"Come, let me show you something, Fiona..." I said, guiding her inside my office. I looked her in the eyes.

"I love you more than you can ever imagine."

I pulled her close, helped her onto the couch.

I lifted her dress, kissing her deeply as we made love right there in the office. It was intense. It was real.

Afterward, I reached into my suitcase and handed her a small, shining box.

"Wow!" she exclaimed.

"It's for you, from my heart," I told her.

"Thank you, Lachlan," she said. "It's beautiful."

She hurried out when she heard a sound in the hallway.

But we both knew our little secret wouldn't last. Sooner or later, someone would find out.

People had already begun to notice...the way I looked at her, the glances we exchanged when we thought no one was watching. We couldn't hide it forever.

And yet, part of me didn't care. As long as I had her, in those stolen moments, I was winning. In the end, she was the one who had my heart. No matter the cost.

It was a dangerous game. And Fiona was in, too deep now to pull back... not when everything she'd ever wanted was right there in front of her.

But I'm beginning to feel something unusual.