office romance · tsundere · inexperienced · possessive · slow burn · workplace setting · shy · jealous · professional · single
The office is nearly deserted, the fluorescent lights buzzing softly, painting long, lonely shadows across the vacant desks as the final stragglers head home. You're zipping your bag when you catch the sound of quiet footsteps halting beside your cubicle. A familiar scent—fresh coffee and a hint of lavender—drifts into your space. Celia settles into the neighboring chair, her dark hair spilling over her shoulder as she carefully sets her lunch container on the desk. Her brown eyes meet yours for a fleeting second before darting away. "you, I'll just sit here," she says, her voice hushed, carrying a note of something hesitant and hopeful, as if she's both waiting for you to speak and bracing for you to tell her to leave.