Between 2 Hearts – Episode 40

The next day, Mia headed to the HR office to submit her resignation letter. However, she was redirected to drop the letter in the boss’s office instead.

She made her way to Nathan’s office, knowing he wasn’t around. Without knocking, she entered the cozy and neat space, placing the letter on his desk.

As she turned to leave, the door swung open, revealing Nathan’s smiling face. Their eyes locked, and Mia’s heart skipped a beat.

“Mia,” he called out, his voice warm.

 “Good morning, sir. You’re back so early,” she said, trying to composed herself.

“Yeah, that’s because I missed you.”

Mia’s cheeks flushed at his words, and she looked away, taken aback.

“What are you doing here?”  He asked, his firm tone contrasting with his still-present smile.

 “Um, I came to drop a letter.”

“What letter?”

 “The HR asked me to bring it to your office, so…” She hesitated, her eyes avoiding his.

 “What’s in the letter?”

 “It’s…it’s my resignation letter, sir.” She gulped hard, her fingers fidgeting as she looked down.

 “Resignation what?” He asked, confused.

 “Yes, sir,”

 “Why are you resigning? Did something happen while I was away?”

“No, I just decided that.”

His gaze intensified as he stepped closer to her. She recoiled slightly, her eyes darting away.

“I don’t believe you, Mia,” He said, his voice firm but gentle. “Something happened, and you’re not telling me. Why do you want to resign when you just acquired the job?”

She hesitated, her lips pursed. He sighed and moved to his desk, picking up the phone.

 “I don’t want to be disturbed. Delay my schedule for today.”

He hung up the phone and turned to Mia, who had turned her back to him.

 “I’m sorry, sir. I beg to take my leave,” she said, trying to escape.

But Nathan was too quick. He grabbed her hand from behind and pulled her into his arms. Mia’s eyes widened in surprise as she felt his warmth envelop her. Nathan held her firmly, his eyes locked onto hers.

 “Nat, please, let me go,” she said, her voice trembling.

“I’m not letting you go until you give me a good reason why you want to quit,” He said, his voice low and husky. “Are they bullying you here? Did someone say something harsh to you?”

She rolled her head, her eyes welling up with tears.

 “No, I just don’t want to work here anymore. Please let me go.”

 “Is it because of me? Am I making you uncomfortable? Why do you keep trying to run away from me? What do I need to do for you to stay?”

 “Please, I don’t want to get into trouble,” she said, “Just grant me this request, and I will never cross your path.”

 “And you think I will allow that? If I beg you to stay, will you stay?” His eyes locked onto hers, his gaze intense.

“I…I…can’t.” Her lips trembled as she sputtered,

“But I want you to.”

As he continued to caress her face, Mia’s heart pounded in her chest. Nathan’s eyes drifted to her lips, and he was drawn to them. He slowly moved his face closer, and their lips collided softly. She froze, her heart racing as she felt his lips on hers.

  Reality set in as Mia regained herself, and she pushed Nathan off quickly, reeling from the shock. She turned around and ran off, her footsteps echoing in the hallway.

Nathan sighed tiredly and rubbed his temple, letting out a frustrated groan. He stood there for a moment, his eyes fixed on the door through which Mia had disappeared.

Meanwhile, Mia entered her office and leaned against the door, her heart still racing. The memory of the kiss flashed through her head, and she felt a mix of emotions: shock, confusion, and a hint of something else she couldn’t quite define.

She rushed to the bathroom, turning on the faucet to splash water on her face. She hoped it might wash away the memory of the kiss, making it feel like a dream or her imagination. But as she looked up at her reflection, she knew it wasn’t just a dream. The kiss had been real, and it had left her feeling shaken and unsure.

__________★★★★_________

  Later that day, Nathan returned home looking moody. As he entered the house, his family turned to him from the dinner table.

His siblings, Josh and Anna, rushed to welcome him. 

“You’re back! How was your trip?” Josh asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.

 “Fine.” He replied, curtly.

 “Welcome back, son.”

 “Thanks, Dad.” He smile weakly.

“What’s wrong? You look kinda pale.” Anna asked.

“Nothing.”

“Are you sure? Did something happen in the office? You’re quite late today.” His mother asked.

“No, excuse me everyone. I’ll be in my room.”

 “Okay, I’ll get your dinner ready.”Anna offered to get his dinner ready.

 “Don’t worry, I’m not hungry.” He headed to his room, leaving his family staring after him.

 “Something is definitely not okay with him.”Josh’s observation was accurate.

In his room, Nathan lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, Naomi tried to comfort Mia, who was feeling anxious. 

“Can you please stop feeling guilty about this?” Naomi asked.

 “I’m trying, sis. I don’t know how to control it.”

 “He just admitted he likes you.”

 “He’s engaged, what does he want from me? This is what I’ve been trying to avoid. I don’t want to get into trouble.”

 “Just be calm, it’s going to be fine.”

 **********

   Days later, Mia had stopped going to the company, and Nathan was feeling sad and helpless. He didn’t know what to do anymore.

Meanwhile, Naomi continued her work at the company. She had already submitted her resignation letter to the HR, and it had been approved, but Alex was still in the dark.

Naomi was busy packing up her belongings in her office when suddenly, Diva and Queen Lala burst in, making her jump in shock.

“Y…your majesty,” Naomi stuttered, standing up quickly from her chair.

“So, it’s true that you have the nerve to worm your way into my son’s company.”

  “No, your majesty….”.

 “Will you shut it, you slut! You think we don’t know your motive here.”Diva’s insults were swift.

 “Now listen, you have two seconds to get your lousy self out of this office or I will force you to.”

She quickly gathered her things from the table, and Queen Lala grabbed her hand, pushing her out of the office before slamming the door shut.

Her secretary watch helplessly  as Naomi was escorted out by the queen and her daughter. The staff quarter was abuzz with murmurs and whispers as they followed Naomi, calling her names.

She kept her head down, avoiding the gaze of her coworkers. They followed her all the way to the gate.

“Let today be the first and last time I will ever see you here again, you thief.”

She walked away, feeling embarrassed and humiliated. Unfortunately, Alex had just left the office with his PA for a meeting with clients and was unaware of the scene that had just unfolded.

  

   Some hours later, Alex returned to the company and headed straight to his office with his PA. The HR followed closely behind.

As soon as Alex sat down, the HR presented Naomi’s resignation letter to him.

 “What’s this?” Alex asked, confusedly.

 “One of the new staff submitted her resignation letter, sir.”The HR explained.

Alex took the envelope and pulled out the letter. His eyes widened in surprise as he read the contents.

 “Naomi,” he said, looking up at the HR in astonishment.

 “Yes, boss. She planned on stopping today after work hours, but unfortunately, Her Royal Majesty and the princess came today to…” He hesitated, unsure how to proceed.

“They were here? To do what?”

“They chased her out of the company, warning her never to return.”

 “What?”Alex’s reaction was swift. He stood up quickly, his face incredulous.

  ★PALACE★

    The royal family was enjoying a moment together in the veranda when Alex’s car drove into the garage. He stormed out, his anger evident, and called out to his mother.

“Mom! What the hell have you done?” he yelled, his voice carrying across the veranda.

 The family was taken aback by his outburst, shocked by the intensity of his emotions.

“Son, what’s the problem?” he asked, his voice measured.

 “Dad, Mom is my problem. Do you know she and her cunning daughter went to my company today and caused a scene?”

 “Alex, we did—”Diva tried to defend their actions.

But Alex cut her off, his anger boiling over.

 “Will you shut your dirty mouth? Who the fuck are you to tell me what to do with my business?”

“I don’t want to see her in that company again, or I will make her regret ever being born.”

 “You do no such thing, Mom. Naomi is my employee, and I will be the one to decide if she leaves or not.”

 “What’s your deal with her? Are you fallen for her? Is there something going on between you two?”

“Exactly my point, Alex. Don’t tell me you have feelings for her. I will never allow that. I’d rather die than watch you bring disgrace to the royal family.”

Alex let out a frustrated sigh, struggling to calm his anger. He turned around and left for his car, ignoring his mother’s call.

King Luke remained calm, but his displeasure with his wife and daughter’s actions was evident.

TBC