Chapter 3

Talia sat at her desk, swirling her coffee cup absentmindedly, her gaze lingering across the room. Her thoughts were a whirlwind, each one weaving into the next like a tangled web. She had been working at her mother Natasha's company for a few months now, a place where ambition was nurtured, and power played a delicate game beneath polished smiles. But there was one thing that had thrown Talia off balance: Reagan.

Reagan was one of the company's brightest employees, and Talia couldn't deny the undeniable pull she felt whenever he was around. Reagan was charismatic, effortlessly charming, and with a glint in his eyes that made her feel like the only person in the room. They'd shared casual glances, soft smiles, even a flirtatious comment here and there. But what unsettled Talia the most wasn't her attraction—it was her mother's reaction to it.

Natasha, a woman who was both an unshakable force and a pillar of composure, had been nothing but encouraging when it came to her daughter's flirtations. If anything, she seemed utterly unfazed by the chemistry between Talia and Reagan. Talia had expected some form of intervention or subtle warning from her mother, but none ever came. Instead, Natasha had watched with an amused smile, as if this was all part of some game she knew Talia hadn't yet figured out.

That afternoon, Natasha had dropped a bombshell.

The fact that Natasha had decided to put Talia and Reagan together in the same team to work on project! Talia's heart had skipped a beat. "Together?" Her mind raced, but she only managed a stiff nod, fighting to keep her composure.

As the day unfolded, the thought of being paired with Reagan felt surreal. Talia knew Reagan could be professional—his flirtation was never more than light-hearted, playful banter, but the spark between them felt undeniable. Would this project be the backdrop to something more? Or would it be a distraction that muddled their work?

By evening, Talia found herself standing in front of Reagan's desk, her pulse quickening as their eyes met.

"Ready to dive in?" she asked, her voice betraying a nervous edge. She didn't want to show it, but she could feel her body buzzing with anticipation.

Reagan flashed his signature grin, that one that seemed to make the room shrink around them. "Always ready to work with you, Talia. But you know I'm more than capable of keeping things professional." He gave a teasing wink, one that left her wondering if there was truth in his words—or if it was simply part of the game.

"I'm sure," she replied, trying to sound confident. "Let's get this project done, then."

As they worked through the day, the line between business and something else blurred. Reagan was brilliant, and Talia found herself genuinely impressed by his ideas, his ability to bring a new perspective to every challenge. They'd bounce ideas off each other, their conversations flowing easily, but underneath it all, there was something else—something magnetic that neither of them seemed willing to acknowledge aloud.

By the time the presentation was scheduled, Talia was conflicted. They had finished the project earlier than expected, and now they stood in front of Annalise, the office secretary, for the final review. Talia couldn't help but glance at Reagan one last time before the presentation began. His steady gaze met hers, and for a moment, she saw a flicker of something deeper in his eyes. Not just admiration or flirtation—something more genuine, more vulnerable. He was as torn as she was.

"Okay, we're ready," Talia said, her voice steady despite the racing of her heart. She clicked through the slides, presenting the project to Annalise in a polished, professional manner, all the while acutely aware of Reagan standing beside her, the heat of his presence like a quiet storm at her back.

Annalise gave the presentation a thoughtful nod, her sharp eyes taking everything in before she spoke. "Well done, both of you. This is exactly what I expected. But...," Annalise paused, her smile growing slightly. "I can't help but notice the chemistry here. Don't think I didn't see it."

Talia's heart sank. She had hoped the subtle sparks between her and Reagan hadn't been so obvious. Reagan, ever the smooth talker, gave a light chuckle.

"You know, Annalise, I've always believed that great work comes from great chemistry," he said, his tone light but his eyes never leaving Talia's.

Talia's pulse quickened, her mind racing. Was this it? Was it time for things to change between them? Or was this all just another fleeting moment, another chapter in the story of two people who couldn't quite figure out how to let go?

"Anyway," Annalise interrupted, glancing between the two of them with a knowing look. "Good work. Keep it up."

As Annalise walked out, the room felt quieter, the air charged with unsaid words. Talia turned to Reagan, their gazes locking once again.

"You think she knows?" Talia asked, her voice softer now, the playful banter gone.

Reagan's eyes softened too, and for the first time, there was no teasing, no witty remark. He simply stepped closer, his voice low, "Maybe she does. Or maybe she's just waiting for us to figure it out."

Talia's heart swelled at his words, the intensity of the moment making everything feel more real. Reagan took a breath, his hand brushing against hers in that gentle way that sent a shock of warmth through her.

"I don't know what happens next, Talia," he said, his voice quieter now, "But I know that whatever it is, we can figure it out together."

Talia looked into his eyes, feeling a pull that she couldn't resist. For the first time, she wasn't afraid of what lay ahead. The moment wasn't just a flirtation—it was a beginning. A beginning that felt like something more.

And maybe, just maybe, her mother Natasha had always known that it would be something worth waiting for. But surprisingly they met that day. Would it be possible for them to have this thing that they can't figure out? Or is it just that she is being delusional? I mean Reagan can't feel the same way I feel he is just teasing me. She convinced herself waiting to see the hope in the unknown.

That evening as Talia was having dinner with her family she couldn't just put a finger on what she was feeling for Reagan. It is attraction — we met today, so we can't judge the feelings. Talia tried to hide her emotions to escape the questions that might emerge from the table. She had her dinner and took the plates to the kitchen and head on to her room.