Page 53 of Fractured Faceoff

Michelle adjusted her glasses, her gaze pinning us to our seats. “Now that you’re officially dating, there are some rules and expectations we need to go over.”

Isla shifted slightly next to me, the tension in her shoulders easing just a bit. I kept my arm around her, drawing strength from the closeness.

Michelle leaned forward, clasping her hands on the desk. “First and foremost, professionalism is key. No public displays of affection while at work or during team events. This includes the locker room, team meetings, and any media appearances.”

I nodded, understanding the weight of her words. “I'll try.”

“Secondly,” she continued, “any conflicts of interest need to be disclosed immediately. If there’s ever a situation where your relationship could compromise your professional responsibilities, you must inform HR right away.”

“Understood,” Isla said firmly, her voice steady.

Michelle’s eyes softened slightly as she looked between us. “We understand that relationships can be complicated,especially in a high-pressure environment like this. But our priority is maintaining a professional atmosphere for everyone involved.” She paused for a moment before continuing. “Now, let’s discuss what happens if you decide to break up.”

Isla stiffened again at my side, but I squeezed her shoulder gently in reassurance.

“If you two choose to end your relationship,” Michelle explained, “we ask that you both handle it with maturity and discretion. You’ll need to notify HR immediately so we can assess any potential impact on the workplace.”

I nodded again, feeling the weight of her words settle in my chest.

Michelle leaned back in her chair, her expression serious but not unkind. “The most important thing is that you both remain professional and respectful toward each other and your colleagues. Any behavior that disrupts the workplace will not be tolerated and could result in disciplinary action.”

“Understood,” Isla repeated, her voice resolute.

I glanced at Isla, meeting her gaze for a moment before turning back to Michelle. “We appreciate the guidance,” I said sincerely. “We’ll make sure to follow the rules.”

Michelle offered us a small smile. “Good. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to HR.”

She cleared her throat, breaking the moment of silence. She reached into a drawer and pulled out a stack of forms, sliding them across the desk toward us. The sound of paper rustling filled the air.

“Before we go any further, you’ll need to sign these waivers,” she said, her tone matter-of-fact. “They releasethe organization from any liability regarding your relationship. Just in case things get complicated.”

The weight of it all pressed down on us, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just another hurdle we needed to jump over. I grabbed a pen from Michelle’s desk and turned to Isla.

“Guess we’re really doing this,” I murmured, attempting to lighten the mood.

She smiled faintly, but I saw that familiar spark in her eyes—an unwillingness to back down. “Yeah, we are,” she replied, her voice steady.

We each took turns signing our names at the bottom of the forms, our signatures swirling together on the paper like an unspoken agreement. With every stroke of my pen, I felt a mix of exhilaration and uncertainty wash over me. This wasn’t just some game anymore; it was real.

Once we finished signing, I pushed the papers back toward Michelle, who collected them with a nod of approval.

“Great,” she said as she tucked them away neatly in her folder. “You both understand what this entails?”

Isla nodded firmly while I gave a slight shrug. “Yeah, no pressure.” My words dripped with sarcasm, but there was truth behind them too.

Michelle leaned back in her chair again and crossed her arms over her chest. “Remember, maintaining professionalism is crucial here.” She looked at me pointedly as if gauging my sincerity.

“Got it,” I replied without missing a beat. “We’ll keep it on lock. But it'll be hard. I mean, look at her."

Isla shifted beside me; I could sense her anticipation bubbling beneath the surface likemolten lava ready to erupt. She was ready for whatever came next—and so was I.

As Michelle organized her paperwork again, something clicked within me. We might be faking it for now—but with Isla by my side? It felt like we were building something more than just a facade; we were forging an alliance amidst our tangled lives.

And somehow, that thought brought me peace as we navigated this crazy new chapter together.

Chapter 15

Isla

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