The following days felt like a dream for Hua. Her relationship with Ming had shifted so naturally, like they had always been meant to be together but just hadn't realized it until now. However, as comfortable as it felt when they were alone, there was a certain awkwardness that came with navigating this new dynamic in public. Hua was still the CEO, and Ming was an integral part of the company. Balancing their personal and professional lives was proving to be more complicated than either of them had anticipated.
In the office, they tried to maintain their professional demeanor, but there were moments when Hua would catch Ming's gaze lingering on her during meetings, or when their fingers would brush against each other in passing. Each small touch sent a spark through her, but she knew they had to be careful. The company was watching, and neither of them wanted to create any unnecessary rumors.
One afternoon, Hua found herself in a meeting with the heads of various departments, discussing the rollout of a new project. Ming was there, sitting across the table from her, his face focused on the presentation. But Hua could feel his attention on her, even when he wasn't looking directly at her.
As the meeting progressed, one of the department heads, a man named Mr. Zhang, raised a concern. "CEO Hua, we've run into a few setbacks with the development timeline. If we don't address these issues immediately, the project could be delayed for weeks."
Hua listened carefully, her mind racing to find a solution. "What kind of setbacks are we talking about?" she asked, her voice calm.
Mr. Zhang hesitated. "Some of the technology we're implementing is more complex than we initially anticipated. We need additional resources to meet the deadlines."
Hua nodded thoughtfully. "Let's prioritize what needs to be done first. I want you to coordinate with Ming and the IT team to streamline the process. If we need more resources, we'll allocate them, but I need a detailed plan by tomorrow morning."
As she spoke, she could feel Ming's eyes on her, his silent support a constant source of strength. He didn't interrupt or offer his own opinion during the meeting, but Hua knew he would be there later to help her work through any problems that arose.
The meeting ended, and as everyone filtered out of the room, Hua lingered behind, pretending to organize her notes. She was waiting for the moment when the last person would leave, and she and Ming would be alone.
When the door finally closed, Ming stood up and walked over to her, a small smile playing on his lips. "You handled that perfectly."
Hua smiled back, leaning against the table. "I'm just trying to keep things from falling apart."
"You're doing more than that," Ming said, his voice soft. "You're keeping everything together."
They stood in the quiet conference room for a moment, the tension between them palpable. Hua wanted to reach out, to kiss him, but she knew it wasn't the right time. Not here.
Instead, she straightened up and looked at him with a playful smile. "We should be careful. People are going to notice if we keep staying behind after every meeting."
Ming chuckled, his eyes filled with warmth. "I think they already suspect something. You know how gossip spreads in this place."
Hua sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I just don't want anyone to think I'm not taking my role seriously. We need to keep this professional during work hours."
Ming nodded, his expression turning more serious. "I understand. I don't want to complicate things for you. We'll take it slow."
Hua smiled, grateful for his understanding. "Thank you, Ming. I appreciate that."
Before he could leave, Ming leaned in close, his voice a low whisper. "But after hours..."
Hua's heart skipped a beat as she felt the warmth of his breath on her skin. "After hours, we're not CEO and employee."
Ming grinned, stepping back. "Exactly."
They shared a quick glance before parting ways, and Hua's heart raced with the excitement of what lay ahead. She knew they had to be cautious, but there was something thrilling about the secret moments they shared, the way their relationship was growing in the quiet spaces between their professional lives.
That evening, Hua returned home, exhausted but content. As she prepared for bed, her phone buzzed with a message from Ming: **"Late-night strategy session?"**
Hua laughed softly to herself as she typed a reply: **"Strictly business, right?"**
**"Definitely not."** Ming's response came almost immediately.
Smiling, Hua settled into bed, her thoughts drifting to him. She had always been so focused on her career, on climbing the corporate ladder and proving herself, that she had never allowed herself the luxury of falling in love. But now, with Ming, she realized she could have both. She could be the strong, capable CEO that the company needed, and still have someone who made her feel supported, loved, and understood.
As she drifted off to sleep, Hua's last thought was of Ming—the way he looked at her, the way he made her feel like she was more than just her title. For the first time in a long time, Hua felt truly happy. And no matter what challenges lay ahead, she knew she wasn't facing them alone.