The sun was barely up when Alexander Knight arrived at the Knight Industries headquarters. The sleek, glass building towered above the bustling city, a testament to the company's success. Alex, dressed in a crisp white shirt and tailored navy suit, exuded confidence and authority as he walked through the lobby. His black leather shoes clicked against the polished marble floors, and his dark hair was perfectly styled.
The day started with back-to-back meetings. By mid-morning, Alex was already feeling the weight of his responsibilities. His father's constant pressure to find a bride added to his stress, making it hard for him to focus entirely on his work. As he made his way to the break room for a much-needed coffee, he couldn't help but let out a sigh.
"Rough morning?" a familiar voice asked.
Alex turned to see Eve Sinclair standing by the coffee machine, a gentle smile on her face. She looked effortlessly chic in a navy blouse tucked into a high-waisted skirt, her dark hair falling in soft waves around her shoulders. Her presence immediately lifted his spirits.
"Eve, hi," he said, a genuine smile spreading across his face. "Yeah, you could say that."
Eve handed him a cup of coffee. "Here, this might help."
"Thanks," Alex replied, taking the cup from her. "How's your morning going?"
"Pretty busy, but manageable," Eve said. "It's been a lot of adjusting, but I think I'm getting the hang of things."
"I'm glad to hear that," Alex said, taking a sip of his coffee. "You're doing an amazing job, by the way. My father can't stop singing your praises."
Eve blushed slightly, looking down at her cup. "Thank you, Alex. That means a lot."
Before the conversation could go any further, Mark, Alex's longtime friend and the company's head of marketing, walked into the break room. Mark was dressed casually in a light blue button-up shirt and khaki pants, his sandy blonde hair slightly tousled.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the golden boy and his favorite colleague," Mark teased, a mischievous glint in his eye.
Alex rolled his eyes. "Mark, don't you have something better to do?"
"Not really," Mark replied, leaning against the counter. "So, Eve, how's it working for this guy? He can be a real pain sometimes."
Eve chuckled. "It's been interesting, to say the least."
"Interesting, huh?" Mark said, raising an eyebrow. "Sounds like someone's got a little crush."
"Mark," Alex warned, feeling a flush creep up his neck. "Don't you have a meeting to get to?"
Mark grinned, clearly enjoying himself. "Not for another fifteen minutes. Besides, I'm just stating the obvious. Anyone can see you two have some chemistry."
Eve looked away, trying to hide her embarrassment. Alex, on the other hand, decided to take control of the situation.
"Mark, you're unbelievable," Alex said, shaking his head. "Eve is a valued colleague and a friend. Let's leave it at that."
"Whatever you say, boss," Mark said, giving Alex a playful salute. "I'll see you later."
As Mark left the break room, Alex turned back to Eve, who was still looking a bit flustered. "Sorry about that," he said. "Mark can be a bit much sometimes."
"It's okay," Eve said, finally meeting his gaze. "He's just teasing."
"Still, I didn't want you to feel uncomfortable," Alex said. "If he bothers you again, let me know."
"Thanks, Alex," Eve said, smiling softly. "I appreciate it."
They finished their coffee in a comfortable silence, the earlier awkwardness slowly fading away. Alex couldn't help but feel a sense of calm whenever he was around Eve, and it was becoming increasingly clear that he admired her more than he cared to admit.
After her brief coffee break with Alex, Eve returned to her office, a cozy space filled with neatly organized paperwork and a few personal touches—photos of her parents , a small potted plant, and a stylish desk lamp. She had decorated the room in calming shades of emerald green, her favorite color, which brought a sense of peace amidst the chaos of her work.
Eve threw herself into her tasks for the day, overseeing departmental operations, handling communications, and ensuring the smooth running of the administrative functions. Hours passed in a blur of meetings, emails, and phone calls. It wasn't until her stomach growled loudly that she realized she had skipped lunch. Just as she was about to make a quick trip to the cafeteria, Anna walked in, carrying a takeout bag from their favorite deli. Anna's vibrant red hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail, and she wore a casual yet stylish outfit—light-wash jeans and a fitted green top that complimented her complexion.
"Hey, I thought you might be starving," Anna said with a grin, placing the bag on Eve's desk. "So, I brought you lunch—turkey club sandwich and a side of fruit salad."
"Anna, you're a lifesaver," Eve said, smiling gratefully. "I didn't even realize how hungry I was."
As Eve took a break to eat, they chatted about their day. Eve vented about the small frustrations she faced at home, from figuring out how to use the washing machine to burning her dinner the previous night.
"I never realized how much I depended on you until I moved out," Eve admitted, her tone tinged with regret.
Anna smiled reassuringly. "It's okay, Eve. You're learning. And you'll get better at it."
Changing the subject, Anna's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Oh, by the way, my boyfriend's coming into town tonight. I'd love for you to meet him."
Eve's eyebrows raised in surprise. "Really? That sounds great."
Anna's smile widened. "He's wonderful. His name is Chris, and he's been working overseas for a while. I'm really excited for you to meet him."
Eve nodded, feeling a bit of excitement herself. "I'd love to meet him, Anna. It'll be nice to have a distraction from all this work."
Later that evening, Eve dressed in a simple yet elegant black dress that hugged her curves modestly and wore a pair of comfortable flats. Her hair was let down, flowing softly over her shoulders, and she kept her makeup minimal but polished.
They met at a cozy Italian restaurant downtown. The warm lighting and rustic decor created an inviting atmosphere. Chris was already seated when they arrived. He was tall with sandy blond hair and warm blue eyes, dressed casually in a light blue button-down shirt and dark jeans. He stood up to greet them with a friendly smile.
"Eve, this is Chris," Anna said, her face glowing with happiness. "Chris, this is Eve."
"It's great to finally meet you, Eve. Anna's told me a lot about you," Chris said, shaking her hand.
"All good things, I hope," Eve replied with a smile, feeling at ease.
As they settled into their seats and ordered their meals, Eve observed how Chris treated Anna. He was attentive, always making sure she was comfortable and happy. Their chemistry was evident, and it warmed Eve's heart to see her friend so cherished.
Throughout dinner, they shared stories and laughed together. Chris recounted his experiences working overseas, and Anna filled him in on the latest happenings at work. Eve found herself genuinely enjoying the evening, but there was also a pang of jealousy that tugged at her heart. Seeing Anna so happy reminded her of what she felt was missing in her own life.
After dinner, as they were leaving the restaurant, Anna and Chris walked ahead, holding hands. Eve trailed slightly behind, lost in her thoughts. She was truly happy for Anna but couldn't help but wonder if she would ever find such happiness for herself.