Chapter 2:Where Have I Seen Him Before?

As Alexis stood in the midst of his usual antics, seemingly unaware of the abrupt silence that had descended upon the office, a chill cut through the air as a commanding voice spoke behind him.

"Have you got nothing else to do? Sit down and work. I heard you're one of our top developers here, so maintain it."

Startled, Alexis turned around to face the source of the voice, only to find himself locking eyes with a figure who seemed to have stepped out of a dream. The man before him possessed an almost ethereal presence, with perfect black hair framing aqua blue eyes that seemed to pierce through any facade. Alexis couldn't help but notice these details, though he quickly dismissed any personal interest, attributing his observation to mere recognition of the man's striking appearance.

Meanwhile, Rei's reaction was palpable. Observing from a distance, he watched with a mix of curiosity and admiration as Alexis and the CEO interacted. There was an unmistakable intensity in Rei's gaze, as if he had discovered something rare and precious in the tall figure now standing before them. The CEO, flanked by imposing bodyguards, exuded authority and confidence, a stark contrast to Alexis's more carefree demeanor.

Caught off guard by the CEO's unexpected presence and his directness, Alexis fumbled for words. "I... uh, yes, of course," he stammered, his mind racing to catch up with the situation.

The CEO's gaze remained steady, evaluating Alexis with a hint of expectation. "Good," he nodded curtly before continuing on his way through the office, the air of command following him like a wake.

Rei, breaking from his reverie, moved closer to Alexis, a subtle smile playing on his lips. "Looks like you made an impression, Alexis," he remarked quietly, his tone tinged with both amusement and pride.

Alexis, still processing the encounter, managed a weak smile in return. "Yeah, I guess so," he replied, though inwardly he couldn't shake the feeling that this encounter might have greater significance than he initially realized.

As the office gradually returned to its usual rhythm, Alexis resumed his work with renewed focus, his thoughts lingering on the CEO's words. Amidst the buzz of activity and the click of keyboards, he couldn't help but wonder what the future held, now that the CEO had taken notice of him in such a direct manner.

As Rei outwardly maintained his composed demeanor, inside, a whirlwind of conflicting emotions and thoughts churned relentlessly. Watching Alexis interact with the CEO had stirred a tumultuous storm within him, one that he struggled to make sense of.

While he projected an air of calm professionalism, internally, Rei's mind was a chaotic mosaic of uncertainty and longing. The CEO's sudden appearance had disrupted his equilibrium, triggering a cascade of questions and feelings that he had buried deep within.

In fleeting moments between tasks and conversations with colleagues, Rei found his thoughts inexorably drawn back to the CEO. His mind conjured vivid scenarios and fantasies, each one more tantalizing and forbidden than the last. He couldn't deny the allure of the CEO's commanding presence and striking features — the perfect black hair, the piercing aqua blue eyes that seemed to see straight through him.

Yet, Rei grappled with conflicting impulses. On one hand, there was the undeniable professional respect he held for the CEO, admiring his leadership and vision for the company. On the other hand, there was a growing awareness of a deeper, more personal attraction, one that threatened to unravel the carefully constructed boundaries of his professional life.

Amidst the everyday hustle of game development and office dynamics, Rei found himself stealing glances at the CEO when he thought no one was watching, studying the way he carried himself with effortless authority. Each encounter, each passing interaction fueled Rei's internal turmoil, leaving him grappling with a desire that felt both exhilarating and dangerous.