The unexpected stranger

Jake 

The conference room was buzzing when I arrived. It was a huge meeting, one that could change everything for my us. We'd been chasing this contract for months, and today was the day we would either win or lose it. I walked in, every eye turning toward me. But only one person in the room had my full attention.

Laura.

She sat across the table, her face unreadable, completely absorbed in the documents in front of her. There wasn't even a flicker of acknowledgment when I entered. I could've been invisible for all she cared. My stomach tightened. This was going to be harder than I thought.

I took my seat at the head of the table, nodding at the clients across from me. "Gentlemen, thank you for coming. I know this is an important decision for you, and I'm confident we can offer you the best partnership moving forward."