The evening of the mandatory work dinner had finally arrived, and the office buzzed with anticipation. The event was set at an upscale downtown restaurant, offering an elegant change from the usual corporate environment. It was intended to be a chance for employees to unwind, socialize, and network—but for me, it was another opportunity to observe the hierarchy of the company from the sidelines, still trying to piece together the puzzle of my role.
I arrived at the restaurant, greeted by the soft hum of ambient music and the clinking of glasses. The setting was intimate, with tables draped in fine linens, creating a cozy yet professional atmosphere. I found my name on a card, a few seats down from Rebecca, and settled in.
"Hey, Seren!" Rebecca called as I sat beside her, flashing me a bright smile. "Excited for a night away from the desk?"
"Hey, Rebecca," I replied, forcing a smile. "Yeah, looking forward to it." My mind, however, was preoccupied with the same gnawing thoughts that had plagued me for months—why was I in this job? What was the real purpose behind my role as Draven Carter's assistant when I had never actually met him?
As the dinner began, I noticed several of my colleagues chatting animatedly about projects and high-level meetings. Meanwhile, I was still stuck in administrative tasks and hadn't even been in the same room as Draven. It was Ven Hope, his enigmatic right-hand man, who managed my daily duties, and though I interacted with Ven often, he gave little insight into the mysterious CEO who remained a ghostly figure in the background.
Throughout the evening, I let my guard down, indulging in a few too many glasses of wine. The alcohol started to blur the edges of my frustration, making me bolder than usual. I had never been one for social events, but something about tonight felt different—like there was an opportunity hanging in the air, just out of reach.
I spotted Ven across the room, looking as calm and composed as ever, chatting with a few other employees. Fueled by liquid courage and curiosity, I decided to approach him. Maybe tonight I could finally get some answers.
"Hey, Ven!" I called out, my voice louder than I intended as I swayed slightly. He turned to me with a raised eyebrow, his usual calm demeanor intact.
"Seren," he greeted, his tone as measured as ever. "Enjoying the evening?"
"Oh, definitely," I replied, probably too enthusiastically. "This place is amazing! And you—you're always so composed. How do you manage it?"
Ven chuckled softly, his eyes scanning me with amusement. "Years of practice, I suppose. It's good to see you enjoying yourself."
I leaned in slightly, feeling a surge of boldness. "You know, Ven, I've been thinking—I've never actually met Draven Carter. Isn't that odd? I mean, I'm his assistant, and yet, it's you I talk to every day."
Ven's smile didn't falter, though there was a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. "Draven is a busy man. My role is to ensure everything runs smoothly, which means managing certain aspects on his behalf."
"But don't you think it's strange?" I pressed, feeling the wine's effects loosen my tongue. "I've been working here for months, and all I do is shuffle paperwork. Shouldn't I at least meet the CEO? It feels like there's something… missing."
Ven's gaze softened as he regarded me, clearly noting my tipsy state. "Seren, I think you've had a bit too much to drink. Let's get you some water."
I blinked, my embarrassment creeping in as I realized how forward I'd been. "Oh, yeah. Sorry, I guess the wine's gotten to me."
Ven gently guided me toward a quieter corner of the restaurant where the refreshment table was set up. He handed me a glass of water, watching as I took a few sips to steady myself.
"Thanks," I muttered, feeling mortified. "I didn't mean to get all... well, you know."
"It's all right," Ven said, his voice reassuring. "Everyone has those nights. Let's focus on getting you back on track."
As I sobered up, I found myself in conversation with Ven, and while we talked casually about the evening, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was still so much he wasn't saying. He was calm, patient, and kind, yet there was always an invisible wall between us—one that kept me from truly understanding the workings of the company or the elusive figure that was Draven Carter.
By the time the dinner wound down, I was feeling more clear-headed, though a little embarrassed by my earlier behavior. Ven had remained his usual composed self throughout, not revealing anything more than I already knew. The mystery of Draven Carter still hung over me like a shadow.
As I left the restaurant, I resolved to dig deeper, to find out more about the man I was supposedly assisting but had never met. There was something going on here, something that didn't add up, and I couldn't shake the feeling that Ven knew more than he was letting on.
The next day, I returned to the office with a renewed sense of determination. My role might have seemed like a dead end for now, but I wasn't going to let that stop me. The dinner had been a reminder that I still had questions—questions that needed answers. And no matter how long it took, I was going to find out the truth about Draven Carter, and why I had never met the man I was supposed to be assisting.