ORION.
It had been two days since my encounter with Harro, and yet, his presence still lingered in my mind like a ghost. I couldn't shake off the feeling of curiosity, wondering when our next meeting would be. A part of me yearned to reach out to him, to reconnect and understand him better, but I hesitated, remembering his words: "I'll go through your proposal again and schedule a meeting" I didn't want to overstep or appear too eager, especially after our last encounter.
As I reflected on our previous interactions, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt. Had I misjudged Harro? His involvement in the merger didn't seem to benefit him directly, and yet, he'd agreed to it. His sudden change of heart puzzled me, and I wondered what had driven him to make this decision. Our past encounters had been strained, to say the least, and I suspected that he might harbor some resentment towards me.
Despite the uncertainty, I was drawn to Harro in ways I couldn't quite explain. There was something about him, an aura that seemed almost...magical. I felt fascinated by the enigma that was Harro, and a pang of envy crept in, making me wonder what it would be like to be as self-assured and composed as he was.
But I couldn't afford to indulge in these thoughts, not now. My father's looming presence threatened to disrupt everything I held dear. He was waiting for any excuse to wrestle control of the company from me and hand it over to his mistress's son. The mere thought sent a shiver down my spine. This company was all that remained of my mother's legacy, and I was determined to protect it at all costs.
With renewed resolve, I pushed aside my distractions and focused on the tasks at hand. I had a long list of responsibilities to attend to, and I couldn't let my fascination with Harro cloud my judgment. Not when so much was at stake.
I was lost in thought as my cell phone rang, breaking the spell, and I picked it up, my voice soft as I answered, "Hello?"
Athena's bright, familiar voice came through the speaker, a welcome respite from the turmoil brewing inside me. "Are we still on for tonight?" she asked, her tone sparkling with enthusiasm.
I chuckled, feeling a sense of normalcy washing over me. "Of course we are. I've made reservations; I'll pick you up by 7," I told her, our conversation flowing easily as we confirmed our plans.
As we said our goodbyes and I hung up the phone, I felt a brief sense of calm settle over me. I refocused on the tasks at hand, trying to shake off the lingering sense of unease. But before I could fully immerse myself in my work, my office door creaked open, and my assistant's head appeared in the gap, she spoke quietly but clearly before closing the door behind her.
I settled into my chair, a sense of anticipation washing over me as I picked up the call. My assistant's words had already hinted at who the caller might be, and Harro's smooth voice confirmed my suspicions. A small smile played on my lips as I listened to his words, his tone sounding almost...nervous.
"So, um...this is kinda unprofessional, but can we meet now?" he asked, his hesitation was obvious even through the phone line. I found myself wondering why he sounded so anxious. What had brought on this sudden change in him? He's usually so bold and confident.
As I sat there, lost in thought, Harro's voice broke through my thoughts. "Hello? Are you there?" he asked, his tone tinged with a hint of uncertainty. I chuckled to myself, feeling a sense of amusement at his uncharacteristic nervousness.
"Yes, I'm here," I replied, my voice calm and even. "You want to meet now? Where should we meet?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.
I leaned back in my chair, the phone still pressed to my ear, as I listened to Harro's response. His tone was laced with surprise and a hint of vulnerability as he asked, "Wait! You're okay with it?" I couldn't help but feel a pang of curiosity, wondering why he'd expected me to react differently.
"Shouldn't I be?" I replied, trying to keep my tone light, despite the confusion that was growing inside me. Didn't he want to meet? Hadn't that been the point of his call?
Harro's response was candid, and it struck a chord within me. "I didn't think you'd agree to meet me if I called out of the blue," he said, his words echoing my thoughts. He was right, of course. I wasn't exactly known for my flexibility or spontaneity, especially when it came to unexpected requests.
But there was something about Harro that made me want to be different, to be more... accommodating. Maybe it was the way he'd surprised me by agreeing to the merger, or maybe it was the way he'd sounded on the phone, nervous and uncertain. Whatever the reason, I found myself wanting to make amends for my past behavior, to show him that I wasn't always a "dick," as everyone so aptly put it.
"I'm free, so it's fine," I said, trying to sound nonchalant despite the turmoil brewing inside me, and with that, he ended the call promising to send the address. It was a lie, of course. I was far from free, but I couldn't resist the opportunity to see Harro right now.
As I waited for him to send the address, my eyes drifted around the office, taking in the familiar surroundings. The sound of my phone buzzing broke the silence, and I glanced down to see the address Harro had sent. A flutter in my chest accompanied the thrill of excitement that coursed through me.
I'm sitting behind my large, mahogany desk, surrounded by the plush, cream-colored walls of my office, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The bright sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows highlighted the stacks of paperwork and files scattered across my desk, reminding me of the countless tasks that required my attention.
But despite the pressing responsibilities, my mind kept wandering back to Harro. I found myself lost in thought, reliving the brief moments we'd shared, and wondering what had driven him to call me out of the blue.
"What is it about him that makes me do things without thinking?" I mused, my thoughts echoing through the quiet office. The question hung in the air, unanswered, as I rose from my chair, sending a quick text to my bodyguard to get the car ready before walking out of my office with my coat and cell phone in each hand.