In just a few minutes,
my colleagues started trickling into the office.
I noticed Bryle, holding his head in his hands. Some of them were still nursing hangovers.
"Melody!" Bryle called out as he spotted me at my desk. "How was your morning?"
"Not too great. Still feeling hungover?" I replied.
"Yeah, my head is still spinning," he admitted.
"Uh, here's a hangover remedy,"
I said, pulling a bottle from my bag and handing it to him.
"Thanks, Melody!" He smiled as he accepted the drink.
"Did I do anything embarrassing last night?"
I couldn't help but laugh at him.
"What do you think? You were quite the troublemaker!"
"What? Please, just tell me!" he urged, his expression playful.
Just then, our colleagues started to chime in with their teasing.
"Ohhh, Bryle, are you trying to charm Melody again?" they said, clearly enjoying the moment.
"Hey, don't rush me! I'm still working on it," he replied, grinning at the banter.
"Why do I suddenly feel cold?" Bryle asked, glancing at me.
I turned to see Mr. Cyprus standing at his door,
watching us with a piercing gaze. I quickly pinched Bryle's arm,
giving him a silent warning.
He turned in surprise, realizing Mr. Cyprus was there. He straightened up and greeted him,
"Good morning, Sir! I wanted to say thank you for last night; it was a blast."
"No need to thank me. It's my duty to acknowledge all your hard work," Mr. Cyprus replied,
before turning to me.
"Miss Violet, may I speak with you for a moment about the company's upcoming expansions?"
He gestured for me to come into his office.
As I stepped into Mr. Cyprus's office,
the door clicked shut behind me, cutting off the laughter and teasing from the main area.
The atmosphere shifted immediately; it felt charged,
almost electric. Mr. Cyprus's demeanor changed,
his earlier warmth replaced by an icy professionalism.
"Take a seat, Melody," he said, his voice low and authoritative.
I settled into the chair across from his imposing desk,
suddenly acutely aware of how small and vulnerable I felt in this moment.
"I want to discuss the upcoming expansions for Dre.@im,"
he began, his gaze unwavering as he glanced over some documents.
"We're entering a critical phase, and I need your full attention on this project.
There's no room for mistakes."
I nodded, trying to keep my composure.
"Of course, Mr. Cyprus. I'm ready to assist in any way I can."
He looked up, piercing me with his gaze.
"I expect you to be proactive, not reactive.
The success of this expansion depends on meticulous planning and execution.
Are you prepared to put in the extra effort?"
"Absolutely," I replied, trying to match his intensity.
"I'll ensure that every detail is accounted for."
"Good," he said, leaning back in his chair, though his expression remained stern.
"I've noticed your performance has potential, but you need to step up.
If you want to prove yourself in this role, you'll have to demonstrate more initiative."
The pressure of his expectations hung heavily in the air.
I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his words.
"I understand, sir. I'll do whatever it takes."
"See that you do," he replied, his tone clipped.
"I want regular updates on your progress.
If I'm not satisfied, I will have to reassess your role here."
His gaze was steely, leaving no room for doubt.
I nodded again, determination flooding my veins.
"I won't let you down, Mr. Cyprus."
He regarded me for a moment longer,
the icy facade still intact. "You may leave now. I expect results."
As I stood to exit, the door swung open,
and the warm laughter from the office spilled in,
a stark contrast to the coldness I had just faced.
Stepping out, I felt a mix of frustration and resolve.
I was determined to prove myself,
even if it meant navigating the chill of his authority.
As I stepped out of Mr. Cyprus's office,
the pressure of his stern words lingered,
and I couldn't help but grimace at the absurdity of it all.
"What was that? Did I just get a lecture from my boss or a scolding from my dad?"
I muttered to myself, rolling my eyes dramatically.
Just then, Bryle spotted me and leaned back in his chair,
a teasing grin spreading across his face.
"Whoa, Melody! Did Mr. Cyprus turn up the intensity,
or did you just step into a cold wind tunnel?"
I smirked, placing a hand on my hip.
"Oh, definitely a cold wind tunnel.
I think he's channeling his inner ice king or something.
Maybe I should've brought him a hot cocoa to thaw him out!"
Bryle laughed, nearly spilling his hangover drink.
"You could try that! Just imagine—'Here's your cocoa, Mr. Cyprus!
Now, can we lighten up the mood a bit?'"
I pretended to hand him a cup, leaning in with a faux-serious expression.
"Sir, I believe this will help you with your… chill demeanor."
The whole office erupted in laughter,
and I felt a surge of relief.
"Honestly, I think I need to start wearing mittens to work!"
I added, flailing my hands dramatically.
Bryle shook his head, grinning.
"Mittens? You'll definitely win the 'Most Prepared Employee' award!"
As the teasing continued,
I felt the weight lift off my shoulders.
If I was going to tackle Mr. Cyprus's icy authority,
I might as well do it with a smile and maybe a few jokes along the way.
(A while ago, Mr. Cyprus Office)
As Melody walked out of my office, Mr. Cyprus couldn't shake the frustration bubbling inside him.
He had just given her a stern lecture about the company's expansion plans,
but all he could think about was the kiss they had shared last night.
"Why didn't she seem to remember?
Did she brush it off as just another drunken mistake?"
he clenched his jaw, irritation mixing with an unsettling feeling of jealousy.
"It was like she had completely erased our moment from her memory,
and I couldn't help but feel a childlike urge to make her acknowledge it."
"Great, now I'm acting like a petulant kid,"
he muttered under his breath.
"I watched her leave, her carefree demeanor contrasting sharply with
the tension that still lingered between us. Did she really think we could just forget?"
He glanced at the space Melody had just vacated,
and the air felt heavier, charged with the memory of that kiss.
"Why couldn't she see how significant it was?"
He sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"I'm frustrated at the idea that she might not realize how much it meant to me."
"Get a grip, Cyprus," he chastised himself,
but the thought of her laughing and teasing Bryle made his stomach turn.
"I can't just let this slide. I need to remind her… somehow."
The idea of confronting her again, making her remember, felt both thrilling and terrifying.
As the laughter in the office filled the air, a sudden hush fell over the room.
The doors swung open, and the former chairman of Dre.@im strode in,
commanding immediate attention.
His presence was imposing,
and everyone stood, bowing slightly in respect and he proceed to Leo's Office.
The chairman scanned the room,
his gaze landing on Leo.
"We need to talk, son," he said, his voice booming.
The atmosphere shifted; it was clear this was no casual visit.
"Father, I'm busy with work," Leo replied,
his tone clipped, attempting to maintain professionalism despite the rising tension.
"Busy? You need to focus on what truly matters, your future," the chairman insisted,
crossing his arms. "I have arranged a meeting with Judge Peterson's daughter.
Both of you are perfect match."
Leo's expression darkened.
"I'll find my own partner, Father. I won't be forced into an arranged marriage."
The chairman's eyes narrowed.
"You don't understand the stakes here.
This is about family and legacy. You can't simply ignore tradition."
"Tradition? Love is not a tradition! It's not something you can dictate,"
Leo shot back, his voice rising slightly.
The tension crackled in the air. "You think love will protect you?"
his father snapped.
"What about your last relationship? You ended up in danger because of
choosing that damn Actress girl. Do you want that again?"
Leo flinched, the mention of his past lover hitting hard.
The memory of her tragic end that causes him trauma,
the circumstances that had followed, flooded back.
"That's not fair," he said, his voice quieter now, a mix of pain and anger.
"I won't let fear dictate my life or my choices. I will choose who I want to marry."
The chairman stepped closer, his tone unyielding.
"You may think you have time,
but life doesn't wait. You need to take responsibility, Leo.
You need to think about what's best for the company and our family name."
Leo squared his shoulders,
determination flickering in his eyes.
"I will find love on my terms.
I won't be trapped by your expectations."
The chairman's expression hardened, his patience wearing thin.
"You have one month, Leo. One month to meet Judge Peterson's daughter and
make a serious effort. If you fail to do so, you risk losing everything
your position, your inheritance, even your stake in this company."