Short Stories: The Office Gossips About the Detective's Relationship with the Inspector [Keira version]

You let out a tired sigh, glancing at the clock. It's barely past 9 AM, and you're already knee-deep in paperwork, thanks to the federal arrival.

As you wait for the administrative office to hand over the necessary paperwork, you once again review the report you need to hand over to Keira later.

Just as you start to lose yourself in the task, hushed whispers from the other side of the office partition distract you again.

"You won't believe what I just found out..."

You internally groan, trying to keep your focus on the task at hand.

The employee you're waiting for promised to return soon, and those two specialists who arrived shortly afterward seem oblivious to your presence, absorbed in their conversation.

Or, rather, gossiping.

"Oh, no, don't start with that. What is it this time?" another one asks.

"Seems like Inspector Moreno and our detective are in a relationship!"

You freeze.

The other specialist scoffs. "Are you kidding? Inspector Moreno is too uptight, and the detective is currently head-deep in murder cases. No way they're a thing."

"People have seen her give the detective a ride home from work sometimes. And there's talk about them being alone in her office late at night very often," they add, lowering their voice as if sharing some forbidden secret.

"It could just be work stuff, you know? Maybe they're discussing case details or something."

"The detective even calls her by her first name! I mean, the detective is beneath her in rank, and none of us would dare do that, but the detective does."

You frown, feeling the urge to intervene, but as you rise from your seat to put an end to this, you notice someone standing behind you. Turning your head, your gaze locks with Keira's icy blue eyes that burn you from within.

"Imagine the workplace dynamics with those two. I mean, Inspector Moreno is—"

"I'm what?" Keira's voice cuts sharply through the air, her gaze shifting from you to them.

"Inspector Moreno! Detective…" the specialist stumbles over their words as they finally notice you.

"I see you've got nothing better to do, Specialist. I can easily fix that," Keira says, her tone dripping with venomous disdain. The specialist shifts uncomfortably, and after a few seconds of heavy silence, Keira hisses, "Get to work. Now."

Both specialists nod, returning to their desks. Keira's gaze lingers on them before she turns to face you.

"Kei—" you start, but she shoots you a glare, clearly uncomfortable. Feeling taken aback by her reaction, you do your best to remain calm as you say, "Here's the report you needed to sign."

She frowns but takes the report from your hand. Your fingers accidentally brush against each other; the mere contact sends a jolt of electricity coursing through your veins.

Keira parts her lips to speak, but when the employee you've been waiting for finally arrives, the sound of her voice makes you pull away from each other.

"Detective, here are all the papers," she says, moving closer to you. You offer her a small nod, relieved by the interruption.

Turning back to Keira, you hesitate. "I—"

"You can drop off the rest this evening," she interjects, her discomfort evident as she shrugs and walks away, leaving you standing there.

Keira's discomfort always leaves a bitter taste lingering on your tongue, a familiar sensation that stirs unease within you.

The idea of her being so uncomfortable with the thought of you two being together feels like thousands of tiny needles stabbing your heart.

 'But the detective even calls her by her first name!'

You scowl, gripping the papers tighter than intended, turning around to head back to your office. 

If Keira is feeling so uneasy, perhaps it's best to stick to formality to avoid further rumors like this.

For the sake of both of you.

.

.

.

In the evening, almost at the end of your shift, you make your way to Keira's office, feeling like you can't delay this meeting any longer.

As you reach her office, you notice that her door is slightly ajar. You knock, but there's no response, so you push the door open, finding the office empty.

Maybe it's for the best, you think to yourself as you approach her desk. Just as you're about to place the clipboard with the report down, the door behind you creaks open.

Turning your head, you notice Keira pausing in the doorway upon seeing you.

"Inspector Moreno, I brought the report you requested," you say, placing the clipboard on her desk.

For a moment, she remains silent, closing the door behind her. "What did you just call me?" she finally asks, heading to her desk past you.

Her office is small, with just enough space to maneuver comfortably, yet as she passes by, your bodies almost brush against each other, sending a pleasant shiver down your spine at the phantom contact.

You, attempting to maintain a neutral tone, repeat, "Inspector Moreno."

She frowns, dropping the clipboard onto the table. "Is something the matter?"

You tilt your head slightly, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

You expect her to immediately start checking the report you brought, but she doesn't, keeping her gaze on you.

"You addressed me using my rank."

"Yes. And…?"

Her frown deepens, and you notice a tinge of red creeping up her ears. "I—You used to address me by my first name."

For a moment, her strange tone makes you pause.

"People... talk," you finally manage to say, your voice hoarse.

"And?" she asks, and you sigh, leaning slightly in as you place your palms on the tabletop; your gazes lock.

"Those rumors..." you start, feeling a pang of uncertainty and hurt at the idea that Keira might not dislike the rumor itself but rather its implications. "I don't want you to feel uncomfortable."

Her gaze flickers to your lips, making you hold your breath as you feel it once more: the imagined touch of her gaze and the shiver that becomes real because of it.

"You think I'm uncomfortable because of the rumors?" she finally asks in a hushed, subdued tone, her gaze returning to yours, causing your pulse to quicken.

"Not because of the gossip itself, but because of... the reasons behind it," you reply, trying to remain calm, watching as she presses her lips together tightly.

"If that were the case, I wouldn't..." She trails off, averting her gaze once more as her hand burrows into her disheveled hair.

You immediately sense the thick and lingering tension between you, igniting a suppressed longing for closeness.

Pushing away the heat that spreads through your body, you continue, "Your reaction made it clear that you were uncomfortable. Perhaps it's best to maintain a formal distance… Inspector."

A wrinkle of a frown appears on her forehead as Keira turns to you. "Formalities aren't necessary. I already told you that," she says irritably, but the glint in her eyes stirs something within you—something annoying and desirable at the same time, encouraging you to finally... give in.

"I know. Nonetheless, I still believe maintaining a formal approach is best, Inspector," you say evenly, but your senses burn your chest as you add, "Unless... your desire for me to address you by your first name is the actual reason."

She remains silent, still holding your gaze, and you hum softly, because you want her to lean closer, you want her to say it, you want… her.

As you hold her gaze in silence, you see in it a reflection of your feelings—interest, attraction, and something deeper, something that should have happened a long time ago.

Deliberately slowly, you reach out and lightly touch her shoulder, feeling the initial tension in her muscles give way to relaxation under your touch.

Meeting her intense gaze once more, you sense the heat between you, suddenly grateful for the support of the tabletop against your palm.

Her breaths become soft and ragged, and yet, she makes no attempt to push you away. A heat rises to your face, but you lower your gaze, guiding your touch further.

Slowly, your fingertips trail down her cleavage, sensing the smooth fabric of her shirt and the heat of her chest beneath as you descend further. You feel the outline of her bra in the center and the frantic rhythm of her heartbeat, revealing her true reaction to your touch.

But you crave more.

With some hesitation, you continue downward, trailing your fingertips over her toned abdomen and even further, until you feel the buckle of her belt.

"Name..." she exhales sharply, causing you to pause, raising your eyes to meet hers. You hold your breath as you recognize the raw desire flickering in her gaze.

Your heart races, and slowly, your hand begins to retreat, but before you can pull away, she grabs you by the collar of your shirt, pulling you closer.

"Keira..." you whisper breathlessly, the sound of her name hanging between you, her other hand touching your jaw, her warm breath tantalizingly close to your lips before—

*KNOCK-KNOCK*

The sudden sound makes you both pause.

You inhale sharply, feeling disappointment spread as Keira pulls away. The handle jolts, and you instinctively take a step back from her desk.

"Inspector Moreno, I—Oh," the same specialist who had been gossiping about you two earlier stammers, freezing in the doorway. "I—"

"I don't remember letting you in, Specialist," Keira hisses, her gaze turning sharp and cold.

"I—" they stammer, shifting their gaze between you and Keira. "I'll come back later."

"No need, we're done," you interject, turning to Keira. Despite your words, her intense gaze tells you that this is far from over, sending a pleasant shiver down your spine.

Suppressing the urge to reignite what had begun moments ago, you simply nod farewell. "Specialist." You return your attention to Keira, finding her sharp gaze still fixed on you. "Good night… Keira."

You turn away without waiting for her response and exit her office.

As you close the door behind you, you take a deep breath, sensing the lingering intensity of Keira's gaze still searing into your back, leaving its mark on your soul.

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.

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Later, as two specialists head home…

"I saw how they looked at each other! Told you they're dating!"

"Oh, shut up, not this again."