ALEXANDER
I was intrigued by Isabella's pitch, but I sensed something was missing. This was a crucial opportunity, and we needed a distinctive edge to set us apart. I had to make it clear: there is no room for failure; we must win.
"I like the direction you're going, but we need to fine-tune it," I declared. "Get me all the files on this project and everything on Veritas Enterprise."
"Alex," Amanda called out, approaching us.
"Amanda," I said, surprised to see her. "Shouldn't you be working on your presentation?"
"It's Saturday, and taking out a little time to come see you is not a crime," she retorted.
"Nobody said it was," I replied. She turned to Isabella with a barrage of questions. Isabella greeted her, and Amanda immediately voiced her concerns.
"What's she doing here?"
"We were working on the project when you got here. Please, I don't have the energy for this right now."
"And you couldn't work with her at the office?
"She's staying here until after the project."
"You must be joking," Amanda said, her eyes expressing frustration.
"You've never allowed me to spend a night here, and all of a sudden, she can stay? A total stranger."
"Amanda, stop making my guest uncomfortable, besides, you shouldn't even be here because we are going against each other for the Veritas project."
"Alex, I really hope I'm wrong about what's going on."
"I don't want to delve into your thoughts or have that conversation right now. Next time inform me before you come to my house."
"You never cared about that, I usually come and go as I like," Amanda said angrily
"Well, you know I no longer stay alone."
The back-and-forth continued, and Isabella attempted to excuse herself. "That's right, leave," Amanda said rudely.
Isabella swiftly made her way towards her room, not bothering to look back. As soon as I heard her door click shut, I turned to Amanda with a stern look, gearing up to have a real heart-to-heart about her manners.
"Hey, what's wrong with you? That was very rude and uncalled for," I stated.
"I'm sorry Alex, didn't mean to be rude but her stay here is inappropriate " Amanda said in a calmer tone
"It's just for work, nothing else... Trust me". I assured her.
Amanda and I have been friends for a long period of time and I do not want our friendship to end because of a misunderstanding.
It appeared that my words made Amanda think for some time, and then she sighed and put up with it.
"Alright, Alex. I'll trust you. Just remember that our friendship means everything to me."
I nodded appreciatively, relieved that Amanda was willing to put aside her doubts for the sake of our bond. "Thank you, Amanda.
"Now why are you here and not at home preparing for the first phase of the project" I asked trying to shift the subject of discussion from Isabella.
"I've been working, just took a break to come to see you" Amanda said with a tired look.
"That's so thoughtful of you but you coming here or to my office during this period is risky, especially for you. You work for my competitor so we shouldn't be seen together "
"I know, but I just could not stop myself," Amanda confessed in a low tone. I was left speechless, not sure of how to respond, so I chose to remain silent.
Sensing the long silence, Amanda tried to lighten the mood.
"If I get fired, you can just employ me" she joked. I chuckled at Amanda's attempt to lighten the tension.
"Well, if you get fired, I'll have to consider it," I replied playfully.
"Okay, I have to run. Catch you later," Amanda says as she gives her farewell and departs.
As Amanda left, I poured over the files and information on Veritas Enterprise, determined to make the necessary adjustments to Isabella's pitch. Hours turned into late night as I meticulously pieced together a strategy that I hoped would guarantee our victory. By the time I was done, time was far spent, and then I realised that Isabella hadn't come out of her room since the encounter with Amanda.
Was she upset with me or purposely avoiding me? I couldn't discern her true feelings. I approached her door and gave a light knock. After a couple of minutes, the door creaked open.
"Hey, I'm done fine-tuning your idea for the veritas project"
"You should have called me to help out," she said without emotion
"It wasn't something I couldn't handle" I replied. Silence followed making the situation awkward
"Would you like to join me for dinner?" I asked politely
"I have eaten" She responded flatly
"Oh, good night then." With a forced smile, I wished her a good night hoping against the fact that the disappointment would not show on my face. She closed the door tightly and I couldn't help but think of what I did to have that effect on her.
The next morning, we arrived at the Veritas office building early, eager to present my refined pitch to the team. The room buzzed with anticipation as my competitors gathered around the conference hall and we were been called in to present our pitch one by one.
Tension grew and just then I caught a glimpse of the most annoying face Pharrell Brown, CEO of Pharrell Tech my biggest competition. Walking beside him was Amanda. Immediately Brown saw me, he walked up to me with a smirk on his stupid face.
"Hey, Alex, what are you doing here? You know you don't stand a chance, so why don't you beat it?" He said boastful
"Brown, why don't you let the panel of judges decide or are you scared already?" I replied trying to make him feel stupid
"Sacred? You wish. I can't be scared of you, Pharrell will beat Stone anytime, any day" Brown said sounding sure
"Then see you inside" I replied as I turned and walked away.
After a while, we were called in to present our pitch. We walked in with all the confidence we could summon.
As I presented our revised strategy, my confidence soared. The panel of judges seemed captivated by the innovative approach we proposed.
After the pitch, the judges started whispering among themselves for a while. A few moments later the whispering died down.
"Mr Stone, we are pleased with your innovation and we think Stone has what it takes to get to the next level. One of the judges said
"Congratulations and see you in the next phase," another judge said.
I expressed gratitude to the judges with a combination of relief and zest for the future, acknowledging that we, fortunately, would not leave the judges disappointed during the second stage of the project. As we walked out of the conference room, Isabella and I glanced at each other and the victory was so evident in our eyes. It turns out that our tireless work, hours of preparation and constant determination have borne fruit.
Immediately, we got home, I brought out the most expensive wine in my cellar and two wine flutes. I poured out wine into each flute and handed one flute to her.
"This calls for celebration Isabella," I said excitedly. She nodded in agreement as she collected the flute from me.
One glass turned into a whole bottle as the alcohol started to take effect, I was definitely becoming a bit lightheaded but not anything I couldn't manage. I sat close to Isabella, enjoying her luscious lips. They were so inviting and appealing. I wanted to kiss them desperately.
The soothing light of the room was enlightening Isabella's soft face, highlighting her sublime appearance. As the wine coursed through my bloodstream, my reservations washed away, and a wave of bravado coursed through me. I moved closer to her, our breathing entangling like a fine ballet.
Isabella looked at me with excitement and curiosity in her eyes. There was a moment of silence, and it was filled with untold need. A small smile curved her lips asking me to take that leap of faith.
Gradually, we moved toward each other's faces, abiding in time and space. It was the warmth of her breath upon my skin that nourished a smoldering spark that had long remained silent.
When our lips touched, the rest of the world faded into darkness. I felt as though we had shifted to a place where only our bond counted. Her sweetness harmonized with the sourness of the wine, resulting in an orchestral intermezzo on my taste buds.
However, as our lips began to connect and our kiss got more passionate, Isabella abruptly pulled away. She stared at me, her mouth open and eyes wide in surprise, then sprang to her feet and hurried into her bedroom.