Zari took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart. Evan's invitation lingered in the air, and Zari found herself hesitating before responding. Back when she first saw this message, she was ecstatic. But seeing it now only brings horror to her mind.
She decided to bring her phone back to her pockets. With shaky hands, she splashed water onto her face.
"Calm down, Zari," she spoke to herself while staring at the mirror. "Okay, I can't deny that I've gone back to the past. So, what does Aetherion mean by changing my fate?"
She tilted her head a bit as she tried to think hard about what the feline creature meant. One straightforward answer is that she has to avoid getting run over by a truck. But it couldn't have been as easy as that, huh?
"Or maybe... Evan?" As if an idea struck her head, her face brightened with relief. "I have to make sure that Evan doesn't break up with me!" She smiled, satisfied with the conclusion she reached.
As she typed a reply, her fingers trembled slightly.
To: Evan <3
I'm not sure about next week. How about we go on a date after work today?
Her thumb hovered over the send button for a moment before she pressed it. The seconds that followed felt like an eternity, and when Evan's swift response appeared on the screen, Zari's heart skipped another beat.
From: Evan <3
I can't. I'm going to have dinner with my co-workers. Only next week works for me.
Disappointment tugged at Zari's heart as she read Evan's message. The spontaneity she had hoped for seemed to slip away. Nonetheless, she mustered a smile.
To: Evan <3
No worries, babe. Next week, it is! I look forward to seeing you.
Evan and Zari kept their relationship low-key at work due to the unwritten rule against office romances. As they both work for different divisions, with Zari being in the Marketing and Communications division and Evan being a senior software engineer within the Software Development division, they rarely have the chance to interact. In addition, they both work on different floors.
In the daily grind, they maintained a discreet connection, avoiding public displays of affection and never meeting during breaks. Before they started working, Evan's preference for secrecy set the tone for their relationship. As such, none of their co-workers know their love story.
"So, the only day I can meet up with him is the day of our breakup, which is yet to happen." With this, Zari started walking outside. "Then perhaps I should make the effort to change his mind."
She was very deep in her thoughts. Rewriting the fate she was destined to have seemed easy. But thinking back on Aetherion's words, it must be something even grandiose.
"Wait up. Isn't today the meeting I have for the new app launch project?" Zari recalled, her eyes widening. She checked her phone and confirmed the meeting details.
As the realization hit her, a wave of panic washed over her. "Oh no, I completely forgot about the meeting!" She quickly glanced at her reflection in a nearby window, noticing her dress, which suddenly felt shabby and outdated. "Ugh, is this how I normally look? I need to do some shopping later."
She stepped out of the restroom and nearly collided with a distinguished-looking man who exuded an air of authority—Kaelum Vermillion, the youngest director in QuantumSphere Corporation's history. Their eyes met in a brief but impactful moment of surprise.
Kaelum was impeccably dressed in a royal blue tailored suit that accentuated his tall and commanding presence. His dark hair, neatly styled, framed a face that bore a stoic expression, revealing little of the thoughts beneath. His eyes, a shade of deep brown, held an intensity that hinted at a mind focused on the intricacies of the corporate world.
Zari couldn't help but feel a subtle shift in the atmosphere as their paths crossed. She stopped in her tracks, waiting for the director to fully pass through her. But she was surprised when Kaelum stopped right in front of her.
"Ms. Montclair, from the Marketing and Communications division, team 1, am I correct?"
Kaelum's voice had a low, measured cadence, resonating with authority and precision. Each word carried a weight that demanded attention, and there was a deliberate calmness in his tone that seemed to effortlessly command respect.
Zari, momentarily caught off guard, nodded in response. "Yes, sir Vermillion."
This did not happen last time. Zari thought to herself.
It is not the first time Zari has met the youngest director. They would cross paths each time their divisions needed to collaborate. It took her by surprise how she was put under Kaelum's wing every time for each project she was assigned. But back then, she didn't report directly to Kaelum. But now that she's been promoted to marketing coordinator, she knows she'll start reporting to him soon.
Kaelum rose to his position through sharp strategic thinking and careful project management. His decisions were known for a unique mix of innovation and efficiency. Colleagues praised his exceptional ability to navigate corporate complexities, making him not just a director on paper but a symbol of steadfast competence and deserving leadership.
With a nod, Kaelum spoke, "I believe we have a meeting in 5. Shall we go together?"
Zari looked up, meeting Kaelum's gaze. His features, she noted, carried an air of composed determination. It was a face that seemed to conceal more than it revealed.
Realizing the team assigned to the app launch meeting was once again under Kaelum's direction, Zari agreed, "Yes, sir."
They walked side by side toward the elevator, where the doors slid open just as they approached. Stepping inside, the elevator doors closed, and with each passing floor, Zari tried her best not to make any noise that would put her in an awkward situation with the youngest director.
"Orange," Kaelum suddenly spoke, which surprised Zari, "doesn't suit you."
Zari was momentarily taken aback, caught off guard by the unexpected comment. However, she kept her head down, concealing the slight blush that crept onto her cheeks.
Kaelum, with a faint smile, continued to share his thoughts. "I must say, the red outfit you wore to our meeting a month ago on a different project suits you much better. The vibrant hue complements your presence and adds a certain... flair."
As the elevator doors opened, they stepped out, and Zari couldn't shake the curious mix of emotions—surprise, flattery, and a growing awareness of the unexpected connection forming between her and Kaelum. Together, they headed toward the meeting room, the air charged with unspoken dynamics.
The moment they went inside, some familiar faces greeted Zari. Some people she knew were also assigned to the same team as hers. But mostly were faces she had yet to meet. She kept turning her head around, looking for a certain person, but failed to find him.
As if on cue, Alexander Rodriguez, Head Manager of the Software Development Division, as well as Evan's immediate supervisor, spoke, "Good day, sir Vermillion. Everyone on the team is present."
"I see." Kaelum went to his seat at the very end of the long table. Zarielle immediately went to an empty seat right next to her immediate supervisor and head manager of her division, Helene Sanchez.
"Good day to you, Zari." Helene turned around to smile at Zari.
"Good day to you, too, Ms. Helene."
Despite being older than Zari, Helene's golden locks and young-looking face never failed to impress her. Zari has been working under Helene ever since she was a trainee. Though they were never close, Zari is relieved to see her at this meeting.
"I see we're missing one person," Kaelum said with an icy tone.
"Mr. Astrum has been told to foresee an immediate problem in another team's project. I told Ms. Olivia Turner here, our UX designer, to attend on his behalf," Alexander replied.
Zarielle remembered this very moment in her memories. Back then, she was glad to have been put on the same team as him again. Just like last time, Evan wasn't present in this meeting.
"Then, let's start."
As the meeting progressed, Kaelum Vermillion led the discussion with a focused and decisive demeanor. He outlined the key milestones for the QuantumSphere app launch project.
Zarielle listened attentively, taking notes and occasionally exchanging glances with her familiar colleagues from the marketing team.
Kaelum concluded the meeting with a firm directive: "Let's ensure seamless collaboration and communication between divisions. We aim for excellence in both functionality and promotion."
As the team members began to disperse, Zarielle decided to approach Olivia Turner, the UX designer who stood in for Evan during the meeting. She thought it might be a good idea to ask for Olivia's notes to help summarize the details for Evan, though she didn't voice her real intention.
"Olivia," Zarielle greeted with a friendly smile, "I was wondering if I could get a copy of your notes from the meeting."
Olivia, with a gracious demeanor, nodded. "Of course, Zarielle, right? I'll share my notes with you right away."
As Zarielle prepared to leave, she felt a firm hand on her shoulder. Turning around, she found Kaelum Vermillion looking at her with his piercing gaze.
"Ms. Montclair, a moment, please," Kaelum requested, his tone leaving little room for negotiation.
Zarielle's mind raced with thoughts, wondering how this never happened before. The anticipation of the unknown lingered in the air, and as she waited for Kaelum to speak, the meeting room door closed behind her, leaving the outcome hanging on the edge of uncertainty.