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I have greatly enjoyed our passionate times together. You’ve opened my eyes to incredible erotic experiences, and I feel I’ve learned much about myself. I truly think you are an exceptional person, and spending time in your company has been an honor.
However, I feel that it’s best if we stop having sex altogether. My feelings for you go beyond physical pleasure. I understand that you are limited in what you can give emotionally. But I can’t continue to be sexually intimate, knowing I’ll be deprived of an authentic connection.
That said, I’d love to continue to work as your assistant for Deluxe Redux Magazine. I’m grateful for the experiences you have provided me over the past few months, and I want to continue to provide the magazine with excellent work and support you in my role.
Please let me know what you think.
Respectfully,
Sofie Rosswell.
After pressing thesendbutton, Sofie felt as though she had fallen off a cliff. Her thoughts raced with a dozen scenarios, including a few where Gabriella changed her mind, realizing she was also in love with Sofie. Trying to distract herself, Sofie surfed a few of her favorite online pages until she received a notification informing her of a new email.
Oh my god, that was a quick response!Opening the message, Sofie scanned the email response from Gabriella.
Good evening, Sofie.
Thank you for your message. While I feel your choice is unfortunate and disappointing, I understand and respect your boundaries.
You are still employed as my assistant at Deluxe Redux Magazine and, as such, will continue in your role with no changes to your responsibilities.
I will see you in the office tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m.
Gabriella Galena
CEO, Editor-in-Chief.
Deluxe Redux Magazine Inc.
Blinking, Sofie was shocked. The robotic-sounding response was void of emotion; she didn’t expect Gabriella to come across as cold.Well, at least I still have my job!But even as she soothed herself with that fact, her heart broke, realizing in that moment that Gabriella was incapable of vulnerability and empathy.
21
Riding the elevator, Gabriella was careful to maintain a neutral expression. She prided herself on her ability to have an extraordinary poker face, regardless of her emotions. But this morning had proved challenging as she remained tight-lipped and alert, carefully greeting others as they rode to their respective floors.
But inside, Gabriella was crushed. Upon reading Sofie’s email the night before, she felt like she had been slapped across the face, although part of her couldn’t blame Sofie. Gabriella was aware that her emotional limitations tended to push other women away and previously, that had suited her well. Sofie deserved to exercise the right to keep herself respected and safe.
Gabriella was surprised at how hard the news had hit her, given that she was the one to put a wall up with Sofie. But to know that they would never touch again or enjoy the pleasures of each other’s bodies was hurtful; Gabriella Galena felt an immediate loss.
Wanting to arrive before Sofie entered the office, Gabriella unlocked her door promptly at seven a.m. It was important that she was settled and focused to detract from any vulnerability.After all, I’m still the boss around here and don’t have any time for drama or mixed emotions. Sofie and I have a job to do, and hopefully, she is set on maintaining her responsibilities.Gabriella’s ego attempted to assuage her feelings of regret and sadness, although the core of her being had yet to catch up with the twisted logic.
Almost an hour later, Gabriella heard the door slowly creak open. From her peripheral vision, she noticed Sofie sneak in quietly. Keeping her eyes on her laptop, she responded coldly, “Good morning. I’d like a coffee, please.”
There was a pause before her assistant replied, “Um, sure. Let me put my stuff on my desk, and I’ll grab that right away. Did you want something to eat as well?”
Gabriella still couldn’t look directly at Sofie, instead choosing a more arrogant approach. Sighing impatiently, her eyes remained on the keyboard. “Did I ask for something to eat? I try my best to be clear with my words. I hope that’s not a problem for you.”
Gabriella could sense that Sofie was frozen in place. Part of her wished she hadn’t been such a bitch, knowing well that her assistant didn’t deserve any venom. After a few seconds, Sofie’s beautiful eyes were wide and hurt. She responded, “No, that’s fine. I should know by now that you are a direct person. One coffee, coming up.” Sofie quietly left Gabriella’s office, closing the door behind her.
Tears formed in the Gabriella’s eyes; she felt trapped. Part of her wanted to pull Sofie in close, feel her gentle curves, and smell the scent of her sweet skin. But in knowing Sofie’s desire for more than just sex, Gabriella held back; she didn’t want to confuse Sofie or herself.I guess neither of us is going to budge on what we want or what we can give. So, it is what it is.But rationalizing didn’t take away the feeling of deprivation. Thismorning, she and Sofie were worlds apart, divided by a schism that could not be repaired.
Moments later, Sofie returned with a small styrofoam cup filled with hot, black brew.Yeah, I expected she would go to the building cafeteria rather than my favorite coffee shop. I probably deserved that.Wordlessly, Sofie settled the cup on Gabriella’s desk, moving away to her corner of the room. But before Sofie could get out of the line of sight, Gabriella caught a glimpse of the pain etched in her lovely face.
Fuck! Was she crying? Oh my god, this isn’t good. Why is this so hard for us? If I look at her too much longer, I’m going to start crying too.Quickly thinking about handling the situation, Gabriella carefully asked, “Are you okay? You seem upset.”
Sofie stood in front of Gabriella with her hands on her hips. Gabriella couldn’t help but notice a change in her. Sofie no longer seemed meek but instead possessed an air of self-assurance, almost impatience. Gabriella had never seen her assistant so stressed and frustrated, and it caused a pang of guilt in her heart.
“Yeah, sure. Everything’s fine. Why?” Sofie unapologetically snapped. Blinking as she wiped her eyes, Sofie added, sniffling, “I got some bad news from, um, myroommatetoday. So, yes, I’m upset. I have a whole life outside this office; not everything is about our affair, you know.”
