Chapter 11%
I walked back into the office with the project proposal in hand. The four managers from my team were already waiting at the door.
thick
They each carried a thick stack of documents and followed me inside.
It was obvious they weren’t happy about me parachuting in as the new marketing director. One after another, they threw questions at me, waiting to see if I could answer.
To their disappointment, I nailed every single one.X
One by one, they backed off, completely convinced.
I had come fully prepared for this job at VerdantCore Technologies. I had studied all the materials inside and out, so their little attempts to make things difficult didn’t faze me.X
e mess.
I knew FitzTech Innovations’s products like the back of my hand. The reports they handed in? A complete
Taking something like this to a bidding meeting? No way we’d get picked.”
Amid the workload, I started hearing rumors about myself
People were speculating how I suddenly got promoted. Some were convinced I was Henrik’s mistress, that I got here through connections.
Others whispered about my so–called shady ties to upper management.
The gossip boiled down to one thing: I had no real ability and only got to where I was by sleeping my way up.
I just laughed it off.”
I didn’t care. In the face of actual competence, rumors crumble on their own.
I knew I belonged at VerdantCore Technologies. That confidence was my foundation
After work, I packed my things and headed out. Just as I stepped through the company gates, a deep blue BMW honked twice.
Henrik rolled down the window. “Heading home? I’ll give you a ride.”
I shook my head. “I brought my car.”
He sighed. “Beautiful lady, can I at least buy you a drink?”
It wasn’t an unreasonable request, so I agreed
We went to a well–known bar club in town. It wasn’t too late yet, and the place wasn’t crowded.X
Settling into a booth, Henrik ordered two drinks.
“Don’t worry,” he assured me. “I’ll make sure you get home safe.”
I rested my chin on my hand and studied him. He looked so different from when we were kids.
“My parents probably wouldn’t even recognize you. You don’t look like you did back then at all.“”
It was like he’d become a completely different person.
Henrik smiled. “You’ve changed too. You’re even more beautiful now.”
The bartender brought over two mixed drinks, along with two unopened bottles.X
I picked up my glass and clinked it lightly against his
The bitterness of the alcohol slid down my throat, followed by a slow, lingering sweetness. The cold of the ice sharpened the taste, making it addicting.
you
Henrik reached out, fingers resting against my glass. “Take it easy. Your body’s still recovering. Sip it slow.”
Yeah… I’d had a miscarriage not too long ago.!!
I set my glass down, suddenly quiet!
Hennk realized he’d said the wrong thing and hurried to fix it.
“Sorry, that’s not what I meant. I just don’t want you drinking too much–it’s not good for you. I’m not trying to control
He was anxious to explain, even though it was such a small thing.”
Even earlier today, when I lashed out at him, he still apologized right away.
It wasn’t even his fault. I was just taking my anger out on him
Heston never apologized in the past. If he did something wrong, he always thought he was justified.
If anyone was at fault, it was me ||
I could always tell when Heston’s apologies were forced.
But Hennik? His apologies were real 1.
I could always tell when Heston’s apologies were forced
But Henrik? His apologies were real X
I took another sip, letting the taste linger on my tongue X
“Why?”
Henrik paused. “Why what?”
I met his gaze. “Why are you so good to me?”
We were just childhood friends. Was that really enough to treat me this way?
His eyes softened as he smiled. “Because you deserve it.”
Me? Deserve (17%
He went on. “Maybe you don’t realize it, but you’ve always been a light in my world like a star.
“When I came back, I didn’t want to disturb your life. I just watched from a distance. The more I learned about you, the more my heart ached.
“It’s strange, isn’t it? Someone you never think about, worrying about you, hurting for you
“But now that you’ve decided to leave, I’ve decided to step forward and tell you how I feel*X
Looking at his serious expression, my heart pounded hard against my chest.
I had a feeling that if I let him keep talking, we wouldn’t even be able to stay friends.
