Serena Bennett walked into the sleek, modern boardroom, her heels clicking sharply against the polished marble floor. The room was grand, designed to impress, but it was the man sitting at the head of the table that caught her attention. Damien Storm, the ruthless business tycoon whose name alone carried weight in every conversation.
She had been hired by his company to consult on a wellness initiative, something Damien had reluctantly agreed to after his company's employees started reporting high stress levels and burnout. The board had insisted on bringing someone in to address it, and Serena was the professional they chose.
Damien didn't seem thrilled to meet her. She could tell from the way he barely glanced at her when she entered, his icy blue eyes locked on his laptop screen, his fingers moving quickly over the keyboard. It was almost as if he was trying to ignore her presence entirely.
"Mr. Storm," Serena began, her tone confident but polite. "Thank you for agreeing to meet with me. I'm here to discuss the employee wellness program your company has initiated, and I'd like to hear your thoughts on it."
Damien didn't look up. "I didn't agree to this, Miss Bennett. The board insisted. I don't believe in it. People should do their jobs, not focus on feelings."
Serena blinked, not surprised by his dismissiveness but still trying to maintain a professional stance. She had dealt with clients like him before—those who saw emotions as weaknesses and human connection as irrelevant to business success. But she had a job to do, and she wasn't about to be intimidated.
"The research shows that businesses with higher employee satisfaction tend to see better productivity and lower turnover rates. Mental wellness is just as important as physical health in any organization," Serena explained, laying out the facts, her voice calm and steady.
Damien finally lifted his gaze, his eyes narrowing as he looked at her, the brief flicker of curiosity quickly replaced by skepticism. "Do you really believe that? That people need to feel good to do their jobs? That employees want to be 'understood'? They just want a paycheck, Miss Bennett. That's all."
Serena's lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn't let his cynicism shake her. She wasn't here to convince him. She was here to present the facts and let the results speak for themselves.
"I understand your perspective, Mr. Storm. But the reality is, your employees are humans, not machines. Burnout is a real issue. Stress affects productivity. And you can't ignore it," she said, her voice unwavering.
Damien leaned back in his chair, studying her for a moment before he spoke again, his tone cold but calculating. "So, what do you want from me, Miss Bennett? You think I'm going to buy into this... wellness nonsense? I'm not interested in fluffy programs. I want results."
Serena didn't flinch. "I'm not asking for you to believe in it, Mr. Storm. I'm asking you to give it a chance. Let me show you how small changes can lead to bigger results. You can choose to ignore the signs, but at some point, you'll have to face the consequences."
For a moment, they locked eyes, a tense silence hanging between them. Damien's gaze was cold, calculating, like he was sizing her up, trying to figure out what made her tick. But Serena remained calm, holding her ground. She wasn't here to argue. She was here to do her job.
Finally, Damien stood up, his chair scraping sharply against the floor. "You've made your point, Miss Bennett. But I don't have time for this. I run a company, not a daycare. You'll get your chance to present your program to the employees, but don't expect me to waste my time on this."
Serena nodded, her expression neutral. "I understand, Mr. Storm. But if you change your mind, I'll be here. The door is always open."
Damien turned, his posture rigid, not even offering a glance over his shoulder as he walked out of the room. Serena watched him go, her thoughts a mixture of frustration and curiosity. She had expected resistance, but there was something in his eyes that intrigued her. A flicker of something—something buried deep beneath the surface.
He didn't believe in people, and that much was clear. But she wasn't here to change his mind about love or relationships. She was here to help him see that his employees were more than just cogs in a machine. And, perhaps, somewhere along the way, he'd learn that people—him included—could benefit from being understood.
But that wasn't her problem. She wasn't here to fix him. She was here to fix the system he had built.
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