8 Her Promise

Alex couldn't resist this seductive woman anymore. Their lips met in a searing kiss, a storm of pent-up emotions released in a fervent dance of tongues and soft sighs.

Clara's hands slid up Alex's broad shoulders, her fingers threading through his short hair, pulling him closer. Alex, in response, wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer to his body, her warmth seeping into him.

After what seemed like an eternity, they finally broke apart, gasping for breath. Clara pulled away slightly, her eyes shimmering with a complicated mix of emotions. Alex looked at her, his gaze clouding with concern as he noticed her expression.

"Clara?" he asked, his voice tinged with worry, "Is everything alright?"

Clara let out a soft sigh, her gaze dropping. After a few seconds of silence, she finally looked up at him, her eyes filled with an emotion that Alex couldn't quite place.

"I...I have something to tell you, Alex," she began, her voice shaky, "I wanted to tell you after I cheered you up but...I just couldn't keep it in any longer."

Alex's heart skipped a beat as he immediately braced himself for what she was about to say. "Is this... about your job, Clara?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Even though he never said it aloud, the only thing that always made him feel sad was her job since it didn't let him spend much time with her. But he never complained since she was helping people and felt she was happy doing it.

Clara released a weighted sigh and nodded softly, finally meeting his gaze again, "Yes...I've been promoted," she confessed, her voice slightly quavering, "My new role will require me to be away... for days, sometimes even weeks or months. I can't say for sure."

Alex's heart pounded loudly in his chest as he processed her words. His face paled noticeably, his eyes widening in surprise and concern.

"Wait, what? Away for weeks?" he repeated, stepping back slightly. His eyes mirrored the disbelief and sadness that had gripped him, "What kind of assignment requires you to be away that long?"

Clara winced at his reaction, her heart aching with sadness and anxiety, "I... I also don't want to be away from you, Alex..." she admitted, her gaze flickering with a mix of heavy emotions, "But this assignment... It's the biggest one I've ever received. It provides an opportunity to save countless lives around the world. I would never get something like this elsewhere and if I don't do this…lots of innocent lives might suffer."

Inside, she was torn with guilt and the hidden truth behind her new mission. She yearned to protect him from the upcoming storm, to shield him from the dangers that her job often brought their way.

Alex's eyes shimmered with unshed tears as he slowly turned his back to her. He placed his hands on the table, leaning forward, his shoulders slumped in silence.

Feeling her heart clench at his silence, Clara reached out and gently placed her hand on his back, "Alex..." she murmured, her voice soft and pleading, "Please... say something."

Slowly, Alex turned back around, his face strained but his eyes soft. His lips tugged upward in a wistful smile as he met Clara's concerned gaze.

"I... I love you more than anything, Clara," he confessed, his voice low and sincere. "Since we got married, my only dream has been to have a child with you."

A soft chuckle escaped him, echoing the room's quiet atmosphere. "I often dream of us raising our kid together. Of watching them grow up with you by my side." His words hung in the air, his gaze holding Clara's as if pleading for her to understand.

"But I know... I know we can't raise a child if you're away so often," he continued, his voice cracking ever so slightly. "That's why I thought we'd wait until your job wouldn't require you to be away from home so much."

Clara's heart pounded loudly in her chest, her green eyes shimmering with emotion. Her lips parted, but only a soft whisper of his name escaped.

"Alex..."

She'd never considered wanting a child before, her job's nature making the thought seem too dangerous. In her line of work, having a child could mean placing them in constant peril. But now, seeing the desire reflected in Alex's eyes, Clara found herself at a loss for words.

She was torn between her wish to not sadden him further and her hesitation to discuss her concerns about their future.

Clara's heart clenched as she reached out to hold his hand. Her gaze softened as she looked into his eyes, filled with so much hope and love.

"I...I never knew you wanted a child that badly, Alex," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. His gaze flicked to her, surprise etching his features as she continued, "I... I would love to have a child with you."

Alex's eyes widened, his heart pounding with anticipation. Clara gently squeezed his hand, a complicated look crossing her face as she asked, "But... could you wait for me? Wait for me to finish this assignment? Once it's over, I promise you, I'll quit. I'll take up another job, one that won't keep me away from you."

His expression lit up with relief and happiness, his eyes dancing with unshed tears. "Are you... Are you sure, Clara? I don't want you to give up something you love just for me," Alex asked, his voice filled with concern.

Clara shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "I'm not that fond of my job, Alex. I only do it because I want to save and protect lives. But your happiness... Your happiness is more important to me than anything else." Her voice held a sincerity that took Alex aback, her words making his heart swell with affection.

"And since you've mentioned it," Clara added, her smile growing wider, "I want us to start a family together, too."

Overwhelmed, Alex pulled Clara into a tight embrace, his voice shaking with emotion. "I...I can't express how much this means to me, Clara. I wish you all the best for your assignment, and I'll be here, waiting for you."

Clara nodded against his chest, her heart filled with relief and determination. This would be her last assignment, she decided. Even if it meant disappointing her team and superiors, nothing was more important than Alex.