Caught Too Close

Rose immediately felt uncomfortable sitting at the table with Jason and Sophia.

The words “we were engaged” echoed in her mind, repeating themselves in a way that made it impossible to focus on anything else. No matter how hard she tried to remain calm, her thoughts refused to settle.

She kept her face neutral, but inside, everything felt unsettled.

Sophia looked completely at ease, as though she hadn’t just dropped something heavy into the conversation. She smiled, spoke casually, and even laughed lightly at something Jason said.

Rose tightened her grip on the fork in her hand.

It bothered her.

More than it should.

She lowered her gaze to her plate, pushing the food around without eating. Suddenly, she had no appetite at all.

Why am I reacting like this? she asked herself.

Jason was her boss. That was all.

His past had nothing to do with her.

And yet, the thought of him being engaged to Sophia—that Sophia—made something twist uncomfortably inside her chest.

She couldn’t sit there anymore.

“I… I just remembered I have something to take care of,” Rose said suddenly, pushing her chair back.

Jason looked up at her, slightly surprised.

“Now?” he asked.

Rose nodded quickly, avoiding his eyes.

“Yes. It’s important.”

Without waiting for permission, she picked up her bag and walked away.

She could feel Sophia’s gaze on her back as she left, but she didn’t turn around.

The moment she stepped out of the restaurant, she exhaled deeply.

The air outside felt cooler, quieter—but it didn’t help much.

Her chest still felt tight.

She walked a little further down the hallway, needing distance, needing space to think.

This is ridiculous, she told herself.

Why should it matter?

Jason could have dated anyone in the past. It wasn’t her concern.

But the image of him and Sophia together refused to leave her mind.

The way Sophia had spoken…

Confident.

Certain.

Like she still belonged in his life.

Rose stopped walking and leaned lightly against the wall.

She closed her eyes for a moment.

Maybe she was overthinking everything.

Maybe she was just tired.

Or maybe—

“Running away?”

Rose’s eyes opened immediately.

Her heart skipped slightly before she turned around.

Jason.

Of course he had followed her.

“I’m not running,” she said, trying to sound calm. “I just needed some air.”

Jason walked toward her, his expression unreadable.

“You left in the middle of breakfast,” he said. “That doesn’t look like you just needed air.”

Rose crossed her arms.

“I told you, I have something to do.”

Jason stopped in front of her.

“You’re avoiding me.”

“I’m not,” she replied quickly.

“Then look at me when you say it.”

There was a pause.

Rose hesitated, then slowly lifted her gaze to meet his.

The moment their eyes met, something shifted.

There was an intensity in his expression that made her heartbeat quicken.

She looked away almost immediately.

“This conversation is unnecessary,” she said. “You should go back inside.”

“To Sophia?” Jason asked.

Rose shrugged, trying to act indifferent.

“She’s waiting for you.”

Jason studied her carefully.

“And that bothers you?”

“No.”

“You’re lying.”

Rose frowned, irritation rising.

“I’m not lying. Why would I care?”

Jason stepped closer.

The distance between them disappeared almost instantly.

“Because you left the moment she mentioned we were engaged,” he said quietly.

Rose’s breath caught.

“That’s not—” she started, but the words didn’t come out properly.

Because it was true.

She turned her face slightly.

“It’s none of my business,” she said instead. “Your past has nothing to do with me.”

Jason didn’t look away.

“That relationship ended a long time ago,” he said.

“Okay,” Rose replied. “Good for you.”

Her voice sounded calm, but there was something strained beneath it.

Jason noticed.

“You don’t believe me,” he said.

Rose sighed softly.

“It’s not about believing you,” she said. “It’s just… complicated.”

Jason frowned.

“What is complicated?”

Rose hesitated.

She didn’t even fully understand it herself.

“It just is,” she said quietly.

Jason stepped even closer.

Rose instinctively moved back—

Until her back met the wall behind her.

Her breath caught.

Jason placed his hand against the wall beside her, trapping her in place without actually touching her.

“Then explain it to me,” he said, his voice lower now.

Rose swallowed.

“You’re my boss,” she said quickly. “That’s already complicated.”

“And?” Jason asked.

“And you kissed me,” she added, her voice softer now.

For a brief moment, something changed in his eyes.

“And you didn’t stop me,” he said.

Heat rose to her cheeks.

“That doesn’t mean anything,” she replied.

“Doesn’t it?”

Silence filled the space between them.

Rose could feel everything—the closeness, the tension, the way her heart refused to slow down.

“This is exactly why I said you should go back to Sophia,” she said, trying to steady herself. “You’re clearly still… connected.”

Jason’s expression hardened.

“I’m not.”

Rose searched his face.

“Then why does she act like that?” she asked.

Jason didn’t answer immediately.

“That’s Sophia,” he said after a moment. “She says what she wants.”

Rose let out a quiet breath.

“That doesn’t change the fact that you were engaged.”

“That’s in the past,” Jason said firmly.

“Maybe for you,” Rose replied. “But not for her.”

Jason fell silent.

The tension between them grew heavier.

Rose suddenly became very aware of how close they were.

Too close.

“Why does it matter so much to you?” Jason asked softly.

Rose looked at him.

“It doesn’t.”

“Then why are you reacting like this?”

She didn’t answer.

Because deep down, she knew.

And that scared her.

Jason’s gaze dropped to her lips.

Rose noticed.

Her heartbeat quickened.

“This is wrong,” she whispered.

“Then tell me to stop,” Jason said.

She opened her mouth—

But no words came out.

Time seemed to slow.

Jason leaned in slowly.

Rose didn’t move.

She should have.

But she didn’t.

Her eyes fluttered slightly as his face drew closer.

Her heart pounded loudly in her chest.

For a moment, everything else disappeared.

Just as his lips were about to meet hers—

“Jason.”

The voice cut through the moment sharply.

They both froze.

Rose turned her head.

Sophia stood a few steps away, watching them.

Her expression was calm.

But there was something in her eyes that felt… knowing.

And suddenly, the tension between all three of them became even heavier.