After a moment, Gabriella finally spoke, walking a bit ahead of Ortega.
"I don't like you, but I don't hate you either. I underestimated your potential, and I never thought you could come up with something this good..."
She swallowed, her face twitching. "Sorry, you're actually better than I thought."
Her apology seemed to take a lot of effort to utter, and Ortega couldn't help but notice the sincerity in her voice. He increased his pace, catching up to her.
"Thank you, Gabriella," he said quietly. "I appreciate your honesty."
Gabriella glanced at him, her expression conflicted.
"Don't take it the wrong way. I still don't trust you."
Ortega nodded understandingly. "Fair enough. Trust takes time to build."
They continued walking in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. The tension between them had eased slightly, but Ortega knew it was just a temporary truce.
Gabriella's admission, though reluctant, marked a shift in their relationship—one that Ortega intended to capitalize on in his own way.
As they continued down the hallway, Ortega couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. He had been worried that Gabriella didn't like him, but her explanation reassured him that their working relationship could still flourish.
He made a mental note to focus on proving himself through his work and earning her trust and respect.
That aside, Ortega felt he wouldn't have the opportunity to come back to this floor, so he decided to feast his eyes with as much Velvet as he could.
The artworks illustrated a darker, freer side to Velvet's mystifying appeal and were a stark contrast to the prim and composed boss he knew.
It was interesting to observe how these paintings were placed and illuminated perfectly by the dim lights, giving the hallway an uncanny resemblance to the ambiance of a museum exhibition — one with Velvet as the core muse, of course.
Gabriella noticed how Ortega drooled at the artworks, which she thought were vain and unnecessary.
She couldn't blame Ortega for being enamoured, though; he wasn't the first man to fawn over Velvet, and he certainly wasn't the only one. Even she was awed the first time she saw them and was envious of how powerful her CEO was.
Velvet was stunningly rich and beautiful, and she flaunted her wealth and beauty with an air of indifference, as if she couldn't care less what others thought.
"Pervert," Gabriella thought disdainfully, watching Ortega with scorn. She felt like whacking that look off his face.
Ortega became unaware of how slow he was walking and soon found his feet rooted, his eyes locked dreamily on a picture of Velvet, sparkling as he took in the mystifying sight.
In the opulently decorated room, Velvet reclined on a plush, cushioned couch framed in gold. The soft lighting cast a warm glow over her milky white skin, which peeked out from the arms and thighs of her form-fitting red one-piece dress.
The fabric hugged her curves, accentuating her slender waist and emphasizing her alluring figure. She held a delicate crystal glass of wine in her hand, the crimson liquid contrasting with the rich color of her dress.
Velvet's expression was captivating and intense as she gazed heatedly at the camera. Her deep violet eyes smoldered with a mixture of mystery and allure, drawing Ortega in with their enchanting gaze.
The room seemed to fade away, leaving only her image etched in his mind. Every detail, from the subtle curve of her lips to the sparkle in her eyes, heightened the sensual atmosphere.
The setting enhanced the eroticism of the scene, with the ornate decor and soft furnishings adding a touch of luxury and indulgence. Velvet exuded an air of confidence and seduction, as though she knew the effect she had on those who beheld her.
Her posture was relaxed yet poised, commanding attention with her presence alone.
Ortega couldn't tear his gaze away from the photograph. It felt as though Velvet's eyes were locked onto his, her stare penetrating through the lens and reaching directly into his soul.
His heart thumped with reverent awe and a sense of longing, captivated by the raw sensuality that radiated from the image.
Ortega gulped, "Gorgeous."
The picture drew him in, and he stopped in his tracks, much to the annoyance of Gabriella, who clicked her tongue and pulled his collar, jolting him out of his reverie.
"We've got work to do, stay focused, dammit!"
"So sorry!" Ortega said as he was dragged towards the elevator. He tried turning his head to have one more look at the painting, but Gabriella cut short his action with a threat, telling him that if he looked back again, she would force him back to the CEO's office to explain himself.
On hearing this, Ortega sulked and allowed himself to be pulled. "But I was getting inspired... I love art."
"Well, too bad. You work here, Ortega. Or have you forgotten about Velvet's number one rule?"
"...No, I haven't," Ortega said in a tiny voice and wriggled out of Gabriella's vice-like grip, realizing his mistake. He could only keep quiet as they drew nearer to the elevator.
They both halted in front of the sleek, silver elevator. Gabriella swiftly pressed the button, triggering the doors to slide open. With a sense of anticipation, they stepped inside, enveloped by a soft glow from the warm lights above.
The double doors closed with a gentle whooshing sound, cocooning them in a soothing sense of calm and privacy.