Georgia stood there, her senses tingling with a mix of curiosity and unease. The once bustling department now lay deserted, its occupants having bid their goodbyes for the day. The moonlight cast an eerie glow through the windows, revealing the shadows of empty desks and chairs. A shiver ran down her spine as the room seemed to echo with an odd silence, broken only by the faintest sound of footsteps – steady and deliberate.
With her grip tightening around the mouse, Georgia felt an involuntary surge of anxiety, her heart beating like a trapped bird's wings. The sheer expanse of the office, usually bustling with life, had transformed into an unfamiliar, haunting realm in the absence of her colleagues. It was a place of vulnerability she couldn't ignore.
As those methodical footfalls drew nearer, her knuckles turned white against the mouse. The footsteps were drawing undeniably closer, their resonance reverberating through the air until they reached an unnervingly proximate point beside her. She could almost sense the person's presence, looming like a specter. Her fingers quivered on the mouse, her apprehension building.
In a room as expansive as this, fear had a way of creeping into every crevice. And yet, just as anxiety was about to overpower her, the footsteps came to a halt – right at the door. A breathless pause followed, and then, as if the suspense had reached its peak, the door slowly creaked open.
Georgia's widened eyes collided with a figure outlined in the doorway. Instantly, a wave of relief washed over her like a balm. The tension that had coiled around her dissipated as she recognized the man who stood before her.
"Why... Why are you here?" Her words came out in a mix of astonishment and incredulity.
Jack arched an eyebrow, amused by her reaction, his lips curving into a faint smile. "Is it such a surprise to see me here?"
Her racing heart began to slow as Georgia let out a sigh, the weight of her fear lifting. "No, that's not what I meant. I just thought you had already left for home."
With measured strides, Jack advanced towards her, his posture exuding a confident yet unassuming air. As he reached her desk, he paused, casting a glance at the stack of documents scattered there. His gaze turned slightly more serious, a subtle shift that didn't escape Georgia's notice.
Resting a hand on the table's surface, he leaned down, his eyes locking onto hers. The intensity of his gaze made her heart skip a beat, and she found herself momentarily at a loss for words. His voice, when it came, carried a hint of playful reproach. "I never knew you were so dedicated to your work."
Georgia blushed, uncertain whether his words were meant to praise or tease her. She managed to stammer, "It's just that... there were deadlines to meet, and I didn't want to hold back the department's progress."
Jack's lips curved into a half-smile, the enigmatic playfulness in his eyes lingering. Reaching into his paper bag, he casually placed it on the desk before her. "But for now, let's eat."
Georgia's gaze flickered to the bag, widening with surprise when she saw its contents – packed porridge and vegetables. Her eyes shimmered with gratitude, a stark contrast to the hunger that had gnawed at her earlier during the overtime.
A rush of warmth flooded her heart, and she looked at Jack with a mixture of excitement and appreciation. "Did you... Did you eat already?"
A slight nod from him confirmed her suspicions, and he issued a gentle directive. "Yes, I've had my meal. This is for you. Go ahead and eat."
Without further ado, Georgia eagerly delved into the food, her initial anxiety giving way to the comfort of nourishment. As she savored each bite, Jack took a seat nearby, his attention diverting to a document he picked up from her desk.
In the intimate company of her unexpected dinner guest, Georgia's efficiency soared, the presence of another lending her a newfound focus. With steadfast determination, she tackled her tasks, her hands moving deftly across the keyboard. More than an hour later, the once mountainous workload had been meticulously tamed, brought under control.
The clock's hands marked the passage of time, and soon, the last remnants of her tasks were wrapped up. Turning off her computer, Georgia leaned back in her chair, a sense of accomplishment washing over her. She looked up, meeting Jack's gaze, and a gratified smile played on her lips.
As they headed home together, the soft hum of the car's engine accompanied their journey. Georgia's gaze wandered to the man beside her, a cascade of thoughts welling up within her. With a hesitant smile, she eventually broke the silence. "I wanted to thank you for staying with me today."
The car paused at an intersection, awaiting the signal's command. Jack turned his head, his expression sincere yet gentle. "No need for thanks, Georgia. You and I, we don't need such formalities."
Her heart swelled at his words, and she nodded with a grateful smile.
Before long, the car pulled up to their destination – another residence under Jack's purview. Following him inside, Georgia exchanged her shoes for indoor slippers. As if on cue, the household's caretaker, Aunt Rong, approached them with a pair of invitation cards.
"A young master, young madam, earlier Mr. Dutt brought these for me – two invitation cards," Aunt Rong informed them.
Jack accepted the invitations, his movements graceful and composed. "Thank you, Aunt Rong."
The cards revealed a forthcoming jewelry exhibition, an event that would gather luminaries from both business and entertainment circles in Northern. Its focus lay on the unveiling of new jewelry pieces, a milieu ripe for forging connections and exploring potential partnerships.
Placing the invitations on the entrance cabinet, Jack turned to find Georgia captivated by the cards' contents. Her intrigue was palpable, an unspoken desire to attend dancing in her eyes.
With a perceptible pause, he inquired, "Are you interested in going?"
Caught off guard by his attention to her thoughts, Georgia blushed and chuckled softly. "Well, it does sound intriguing..."