As they approached Costa Verde, Elly's gaze lingered on a group of students strolling by, their laughter echoing through the air. Jen noticed the brief shift in Elly's expression—almost like a fleeting memory, or perhaps something else entirely. It was subtle, but it caught Jen's attention.
"Everything alright?" Jen asked, her voice light, though she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
Elly snapped out of it, offering a quick, tight smile. "Yeah, just... didn't expect so many students today."
Jen nodded, sensing it was something Elly didn't want to talk about further. She didn't press, but the moment lingered in the back of her mind, the faintest crack in Elly's usual composure.
They were greeted warmly by the staff with hot towels and refreshing drinks—small touches that made the experience feel almost like a vacation. Jen couldn't help but smile, the gesture disarming her, though she still felt slightly out of place in the formal setting.
Emilio, the Front Desk Manager, spotted Jen almost immediately, his face shifting into a professional smile as he approached.
"Jen, what brings you here?" Emilio asked, tone polite but curious.
Jen smiled, motioning to Elly, who was still taking in the surroundings with quiet intensity. "Emilio, this is Elly Stefano"
Elly extended a hand, smile sharp but cordial. "Nice to meet you, Emilio."
Emilio shook Elly's hand firmly, nodding in acknowledgment. "The pleasure is mine. Please, follow me. I'll show you to the Manager's office."
Jen followed behind, absorbing the sleek surroundings. Costa Verde had the perfect balance of luxury and practicality—elegant, but not over the top.
They were led into the Manager's office, where a tall, sharply dressed man rose from behind a polished desk. His immaculate suit and confident demeanor screamed authority.
"James," Emilio said, gesturing to the man. "They are here"
James extended a hand to Jen first, his smile just a little too warm, a little too familiar. "Jen," he said smoothly, his tone friendly but carrying an undertone of something more. "It's been a while." His gaze lingered a moment too long, a flash of something—recognition, maybe—passing through his eyes. Elly noticed it immediately, raising an eyebrow in quiet assessment.
Jen kept her composure, forcing a polite smile. "Yes, it has. How's everything here?" She shook his hand, but her smile was more reserved, guarded.
James didn't let go of her hand right away, a flicker of something in his eyes that Elly couldn't quite place, but it made the air in the room feel heavier. For a split second, Elly felt a strange discomfort—a shift in the atmosphere that wasn't exactly jealousy, but something close to it.
"Well, things have been running smoothly," James said, still eyeing Jen.
He turned slightly to include Elly in the conversation, but his focus clearly remained on Jen. "But with you two here, I'm sure we'll take things to the next level."
Elly noticed the way James's attention didn't really seem to leave Jen, even as he directed his next words toward them. "Elly, it's a pleasure to meet you."
Elly's smile was cool, hand extended and almost dismissive. "The pleasure's mine." The handshake was brief, but firm—business, not personal.
Jen, seemingly unaware or perhaps deliberately ignoring the underlying tension, shifted the conversation back on track. "Let's get down to business. We're here to review some proposals and discuss possible future projects."
"Right, let's start" James answered.
The conversation continued, but Elly found it hard to focus on the budget and proposals. James had redirected most of his attention to Jen, making subtle comments that seemed more like attempts at flirtation than professionalism. The glances, the lingering smiles—it didn't escape Elly's notice.
Jen, ever the professional, responded with polite but guarded answers. Elly could sense the discomfort in her, though Jen wasn't one to call out behavior directly. Still, it was clear to Elly that Jen wasn't enjoying the extra attention, and it irritated them more than it should have.
Without breaking the flow of the meeting, Elly cut through James's latest compliment with practiced ease.
"So, James," Elly interjected smoothly, with just the right amount of sarcasm. "I'm sure Jen appreciates the... enthusiasm, but we're here to discuss the budget and the project timeline, not her weekend plans."
Jen exhaled quietly, the tension in the room lifting just a little. Elly caught her eye, and the silent exchange between them said more than words ever could.
James, realizing his mistake, cleared his throat awkwardly. "Right, of course. My mistake. Let's get back to it."
The moment had passed, and the conversation snapped back to business. James was now more mindful of his behavior, but Elly couldn't shake the feeling that something about this meeting had shifted.
"That's all for now, James," Elly said, voice smooth but with an edge. "We'll need to think things through and visit again soon."
James, still unaware of how long he'd monopolized the conversation, quickly stood and extended his hand, his smile aimed squarely at Jen. "I'd love to see you both here again."
Jen nodded politely, her smile tight as she shook his hand. Elly, however, didn't miss the way James lingered just a little too long on Jen, his smile a fraction too eager.
With a purposeful smile, Elly turned toward the door. "Let's head out."
As they walked toward the exit, Elly felt the lingering discomfort, the sense that the whole meeting had been less about business and more about distractions—a game that James seemed intent on playing.