After the whirlwind of meetings and networking at the conference, it was nice to have a bit of downtime. Our flight back wasn't until the following evening, so we had an entire day to explore New York. Mark had already made plans to visit some old friends in the city, which left me alone with Ven.
I still didn't know much about Ven. He was charming, confident, and seemed to know a lot about the company and the industry, but his role was still a mystery to me. The more time I spent with him, the more I felt there was something he wasn't telling me. But he was easy to talk to, and I couldn't deny that I enjoyed his company.
"So, what's the plan for today?" I asked as we walked out of the hotel lobby.
Ven smiled. "I thought we'd do a bit of exploring. Ever been to Central Park?"
I shook my head. "No, this is actually my first time in New York. I'm up for anything, though."
"Great," he said, his grin widening. "Let's go. It's a beautiful day, and I think you'll love it."
We hopped into a cab, and Ven gave the driver directions to Central Park. The city was bustling, people moving in every direction, and I couldn't help but feel a bit overwhelmed by the energy. But being with Ven made it easier. He had a way of making everything seem effortless, like he belonged wherever he went.
When we arrived at the park, I was struck by its size and beauty. I'd seen pictures, of course, but seeing it in person was different. The trees were lush and green, the air was fresh, and the sounds of birds and distant laughter filled the air. It was a nice change from the concrete jungle of the city.
"Wow," I said, taking in the view. "This place is incredible."
Ven nodded. "It is. I come here every time I'm in the city. It's a great place to clear your head."
We started walking along one of the paths, and I could feel myself relaxing. The stress of the conference, the pressure of trying to prove myself—it all seemed to melt away as we strolled through the park.
"So, Ven," I began, trying to make conversation, "what do you usually do at Hope Enterprises? You're always around, but I never really know what your job is."
He chuckled softly, glancing at me with a playful look in his eyes. "Oh, I do a little bit of everything. I guess you could say I'm a jack-of-all-trades. I like to keep an eye on things, see how the company is running from different angles."
"Sounds interesting," I replied, though I was still curious. "Do you work closely with the CEO? I mean, Draven Carter?"
Ven's expression didn't change, but there was a slight pause before he answered. "You could say that. I've been around him enough to get a sense of how he thinks, how he runs things."
I nodded, feeling a bit bolder. "What's he like? I've heard he's kind of a recluse, never really seen in public."
Ven smiled, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "He's… complicated. But he cares about the company, that much I can tell you."
There was something in the way he said it that made me think he knew Draven Carter better than most people. But before I could press further, he changed the subject.
"Come on," he said, nudging me with his elbow. "Let's grab some ice cream. There's a great little stand over by the lake."
I followed him, and soon we were standing in line for ice cream. I decided on vanilla with chocolate chips, while Ven chose mint chocolate chip. We took our cones and found a bench overlooking the lake.
"So," Ven said after a few moments of silence, "how are you finding your new job? Enjoying it so far?"
I nodded, licking my ice cream. "Yeah, it's been great. A bit overwhelming at times, but I'm learning a lot. I really want to make a good impression, you know?"
He smiled. "You're doing just fine, Seren. Trust me. You've got the right attitude, and that's half the battle. Just keep being yourself, and everything else will fall into place."
There was something reassuring about his words, and I found myself relaxing even more. "Thanks, Ven. That means a lot coming from someone who's been around the block a few times."
He laughed. "Well, I've had my fair share of experiences, that's for sure. But you're going to do great things, Seren. I can feel it."
We sat there for a while, just talking and enjoying the afternoon. I learned more about Ven's travels, his favorite places in the city, and even a bit about his family. He was easy to talk to, and for a moment, I forgot all about the company, the job, and everything else. It was just nice to have a friend to spend the day with.
After a while, we decided to keep walking. We strolled through the park, eventually finding ourselves at a small boat rental by the lake. Ven's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Hey, want to rent a boat?" he asked.
I hesitated for a moment. "I've never really been on a boat before. I mean, not a small one like this."
"Come on," he urged, grabbing my arm gently. "It'll be fun. I promise."
Before I could protest, he was already at the counter, paying for a boat. A few minutes later, we were out on the lake, and Ven was rowing with ease. I sat back, enjoying the cool breeze and the peacefulness of the water.
"This isn't so bad," I admitted, relaxing a bit.
Ven grinned. "See? I told you. Sometimes you just have to step out of your comfort zone."
As we floated on the lake, I couldn't help but feel grateful for this unexpected friendship. Ven was different from anyone I'd met at the company—laid back, yet somehow driven, mysterious, yet open. I still didn't know everything about him, but I was starting to realize that maybe I didn't need to. Sometimes, it was enough just to enjoy the moment.
"You know," I said, breaking the comfortable silence, "I'm glad we got to hang out today. I wasn't sure what to expect from this trip, but it's turned out to be pretty great."
Ven looked at me, his expression sincere. "I'm glad too, Seren. It's been nice getting to know you."
We spent the rest of the day exploring the city, visiting a few more spots that Ven seemed to know well. By the time we got back to the hotel, I felt like I'd seen a different side of New York—a side that wasn't all skyscrapers and traffic, but also parks, lakes, and quiet moments of reflection.
As I lay in bed that night, I thought about the day's events and the strange connection I felt with Ven. I still had no idea he was actually Draven Carter, the elusive CEO of Hope Enterprises, but there was something about him that made me feel like I could trust him, like he understood what it was like to be in my shoes.
Little did I know, that trust would soon be tested in ways I couldn't imagine, and my relationship with Ven would change everything I thought I knew about my life and my job.