Chapter 45: The Weight of Secrets
Bing's POV
Bing's fingers hovered over the keyboard, their eyes fixed on the data in front of them, but their mind was elsewhere. The numbers and charts blurred as they replayed the events of the past few days in their head. Every interaction with Safari, every touch, was etched into their memory, and with it, a growing sense of unease.
The physical closeness they shared with Safari was exhilarating, yet it came with a heavy price. Every time they were together, Bing felt the thrill of breaking the rules, the forbidden nature of their relationship intensifying the bond they shared. But after the excitement faded, they were left with the gnawing guilt of betraying the company they had dedicated so much of their life to.
Bing sighed, closing their eyes for a moment. They were careful, methodical, always making sure that no one suspected their late-night rendezvous with Safari. The secrecy was suffocating, yet they couldn't bring themselves to end it. There was something about Safari that drew them in, something that made Bing feel alive in a way they hadn't in years.
But the stress was getting to them. Bing had noticed subtle changes in their body—tiredness that lingered even after a full night's sleep, an occasional flutter in their stomach that they couldn't explain. It was probably just the stress, they told themselves, the weight of keeping such a dangerous secret.
The door to Bing's office opened, and they quickly straightened up, masking their fatigue. Safari leaned against the doorframe, a smirk playing on his lips. "Busy as always, I see."
Bing felt their heart skip a beat, a mix of excitement and anxiety washing over them. "Just trying to keep up with the workload," they replied, forcing a smile.
Safari sauntered over to Bing's desk, his presence filling the small space. He reached out, his hand brushing against Bing's arm. The touch was electric, sending a shiver down Bing's spine. "Maybe you need a break," Safari suggested, his voice low and inviting.
Bing hesitated, their mind racing. They knew what he was implying, and part of them wanted to give in, to escape the mounting pressure, even if just for a little while. But another part of them screamed that this was wrong, that they were getting in too deep.
"I can't," Bing finally said, their voice barely above a whisper. "Too much to do."
Safari's expression softened, and he pulled his hand back, though not without a lingering touch on Bing's thigh. "Alright," he said, stepping back. "But don't work yourself too hard. I'll see you later."
As Safari left, Bing exhaled slowly, their heart pounding in their chest. They had to get a grip, to stay focused. But every time they tried, their thoughts kept circling back to Safari, to the secrets they were keeping, and the guilt that was slowly eating away at them.
The rest of the day passed in a haze, the usual routine barely registering as Bing went through the motions. By the time they finally left the office, the sky was dark, and the weight of the day hung heavily on their shoulders.
Bing walked slowly, the cool night air doing little to calm the storm inside them. They needed to clear their head, to find a way to manage the stress before it consumed them. But with each passing day, the tension only seemed to grow, the guilt more suffocating, and the secrets harder to keep.