Lahat ng Kabanata ng Caught Between Two Men And The Apocalypse : Kabanata 31 - Kabanata 40

Later that morning, Natasha stood in front of her bedroom mirror quietly fastening the buttons of her cream blouse. The fitted dark trousers hugged her figure neatly, while the tailored black blazer resting over her shoulders completed the look perfectly. Aaron had chosen the clothes well. She looked professional, powerful and elegant. Not like the exhausted woman who once spent her days covered in blood and dirt while surviving in Virginia. Her fingers paused briefly against the sleeve of her blazer as memories from yesterday replayed in her mind again. Josh’s face. His apology. His broken expression after she told him to let her go. Natasha slowly lowered her eyes. Strangely enough, she did not feel guilty. Sad, maybe, but not guilty. Because somewhere deep inside herself, she already knew the truth. She had waited too long for Josh to finally see her. Too long hoping he would someday love her loudly enough for her to stop questioning her place beside him. Aaron had done tha

Natasha stared at his hand briefly before looking back up at him. “Where are we going?” “You’ll see.” There was something calm but unreadable in his voice that made Natasha hesitate only briefly before placing her hand in his. Aaron’s fingers closed gently around hers. And somehow, Natasha noticed immediately that he did not let go as he helped her to her feet. Together, they left the rooftop terrace and entered the private elevator again. The ride downward went in silence.. Natasha stood beside him with her hands folded lightly in front of her, though she could still feel traces of his warmth lingering against her skin from earlier. Aaron observed her quietly, and noticed her flustered face. He noticed every little reaction she tried to hide. And honestly, he liked that Natasha was slowly lowering her guard around him. The elevator doors eventually opened into the private underground parking sector beneath the tower. Several luxury vehicles rested beneath the bright overhead

Natasha woke up with a start. For a few seconds, she simply stared at the ceiling above her bed, confused by the strange feeling in her chest. Her heartbeat was unusually fast. Warmth lingered beneath her skin. It took her several moments to realize what had pulled her from sleep. Was it the kiss? Her eyes immediately squeezed shut. "Oh no." The memory returned with insane clarity. Aaron standing beneath the lights outside the research facility. And how his eyes locked on hers. She couldn't think of anything else except his hand reaching for hers, and the way he pulled her closer, and kissed her. Natasha groaned and buried her face into her pillow. For God's sake. She was twenty-eight years old. A former special forces operative, and a surgeon. A woman who had survived the end of the world. Yet somehow, she felt like a teenager who had just experienced her first kiss. "This is ridiculous," she muttered into the pillow. Unfortunately, her mind refused to cooperate because the mem

Natasha stood in front of the mirror longer than necessary. The reflection staring back at her looked the same. The same steel-gray eyes. The same short dark hair. The same woman who had survived countless battles. Yet something felt different. She touched her cheek. Almost immediately, the memory of Aaron's lips returned, and her face warmed. "Seriously?" She groaned softly and looked away from the mirror. A lot has happened recently, some things she thought she was not capable of feeling anymore. At least, not after everything that happened with Josh. She could still remember every detail. The way Aaron held her. And his lips on hers. Nah. Natasha shook her head quickly. She had faced infected hordes without fear. But somehow one kiss had her acting like an inexperienced teenager. A knock sounded on her apartment door. "Lieutenant?" That is Liora. Natasha grabbed her jacket and opened the door. Liora immediately narrowed her eyes. "Oh." Natasha frowned. "Oh what?" The

Three days passed quickly. New Haven became busier than Natasha had ever seen it. Construction crews worked from sunrise until late evening. Supply teams moved in and out through the district gates. Scouts returned daily with reports about surrounding zones, while engineers prepared equipment for the future airport operation. For the first time in years, Natasha felt something she hadn't allowed herself to feel in a long time. Hope. She stood outside Aaron's office that morning, leaning lightly against the balcony railing while looking down at the streets below. People moved through the city with purpose. Children laughed in a small courtyard. Merchants exchanged goods. Mechanics repaired equipment. Life continued here. The sound of footsteps made her turn. Aaron stepped onto the balcony carrying two cups of coffee. And without asking, he handed one to her. Natasha accepted it with a small smile. "You keep doing that." Aaron raised an eyebrow. "Doing what?" "Showing up with