The morning after my promotion announcement, the air felt heavy with tension. My nerves were shot, and I couldn't tell if it was because of the weight of my new role or something deeper. The idea of working under the mysterious CEO, whom I'd never actually met, was enough to keep my stomach in knots.
As I stood waiting for the elevator, I mentally rehearsed how to make the right first impression. It wasn't just about my work anymore—it was about proving I belonged in this high-stakes world. I had no idea what Draven Carter, the CEO, was like in person. I needed to be sharp.
The elevator dinged, pulling me from my thoughts. The doors slid open, revealing Ven. My heart skipped a beat. Seeing him now felt different somehow, especially after the night we spent together on the business trip. There were so many unspoken things between us, yet I had to keep it professional.
"Morning," Ven said, his voice as smooth as ever. He gave me a slight nod and stepped back to make room.
"Morning," I replied, stepping in and feeling the tension rise again. Being alone with him made everything from that trip feel more real, even if we never spoke about it afterward.
The elevator doors closed, and I realized we were alone. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. He seemed relaxed, but I felt like I had something to clear up. Maybe now was the best chance to address it.
"Ven," I started, clearing my throat nervously, "about what happened during the business trip… I feel like I should apologize."
He turned to me with a raised brow. "Apologize? For what?" he asked, looking genuinely confused.
"I didn't realize you worked so closely with the CEO. I didn't know who you were at the time, and I don't want things to get weird now that I've been promoted," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I don't want it to affect anything professionally."
Ven chuckled softly, his expression softening. "Seren, you don't need to apologize for anything. We had a few drinks and a good time. That's all."
I frowned slightly, surprised by how casually he dismissed it. "But… it feels like a conflict of interest now, doesn't it? Especially since you—"
"Work closely with the CEO?" Ven finished for me, his smirk widening. "Trust me, that's not something you need to worry about. You're in this position because you've earned it. Your promotion has nothing to do with what happened between us."
I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. "You're sure?"
"Absolutely," he replied, his voice softening. "I want you to focus on the job. And as for what happened during the trip, we can leave it in the past if that's what you want."
I nodded, feeling some of the tension in my chest ease. "Yeah, I think that's for the best."
Ven smiled warmly at me, his gaze holding mine for a moment longer than it should have. "Good. Because I think you're going to do great in this role. The CEO doesn't just pick anyone to work in his office."
My stomach fluttered at his words. "Thanks," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "I hope so."
The elevator dinged, signaling our arrival at the top floor. Ven straightened, gesturing toward the open doors. "Welcome to your new floor," he said with a grin. "You'll be reporting directly here from now on."
I stepped out, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension as I took in the luxurious surroundings. This was the heart of the company, the place where real decisions were made. And yet, the mysterious CEO, Draven Carter, still remained an enigma. I hadn't even met him yet.
"Is the CEO in today?" I asked, trying to sound casual, even though my curiosity was burning.
Ven shrugged, his face unreadable. "You'll see him soon enough. He likes to keep a low profile, but he's definitely keeping an eye on things."
I nodded, though his cryptic response left me with more questions. I still didn't understand how Ven fit into all of this. He seemed to have more insight into the inner workings of the company than I realized. Maybe he was some kind of personal assistant to the CEO? But then why hadn't I seen him in any official capacity before?
"Thanks for helping me settle in," I said as we walked down the hallway toward my new office space.
"Anytime," Ven replied. "And Seren, don't overthink things. The CEO's a tough guy, but he knows talent when he sees it. You've got this."
I smiled at his confidence in me, though my mind was still buzzing with thoughts of Ven's strange closeness to the CEO. The lines between our personal connection and my professional responsibilities were blurring more than ever.
"Here we are," Ven said, stopping at a door that led to my new workspace. "Settle in. If you need anything, you know where to find me."
"Right," I said, still feeling a bit dazed. "Thanks, Ven."
As he walked away, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was still so much I didn't know. About Ven. About Draven Carter. About everything happening around me. But for now, I had to focus on my new role. One step at a time.