A New Start

Clara's eyelids fluttered open, the sun's scorching rays blocked by a blurred figure. She yawned loudly, her hands rubbing against her eyes, like a six-year-old would do every morning. 

The grogginess faded, and her eyes fell on Dylan's standing figure, enjoying the scenery through the glass wall. He seemed to notice her gaze, turning his attention to her, while a strange smile spread across his lips.

"You slept well?" Dylan asked; his smile was so enchanting that Clara couldn't help but blush.

She nodded with her head lowered, a shy smile on her lips. This was completely different from the wild girl who rode him as hard as she could even though she was in pain.\

"Good... Let's go turn in our resignation letters." Dylan said, the smile on Clara's face replaced with confusion.

"What?" Clara blinked.

—

The morning sunlight glinted off the sleek glass exterior of the Black Sheep Firm's Chicago office as Dylan and Clara exited his car. Clara adjusted her blazer, looking up at the towering structure with a mix of reluctance and certainty.

If the offer to abandon her job came from anyone else, she wouldn't take the person seriously.

But it was Dylan, the man who turned his situation around in barely a week.

"Are you sure about this?" Clara asked, glancing at Dylan.

"Not really," Dylan replied with a dry chuckle. "But let's get it over with."

The pair stepped through the revolving doors into the lobby, but something felt off. The silence that once marked the lobby was replaced by faint murmurs of excitement. A few employees glanced their way, some offering sheepish smiles.

As they approached the elevators, the receptionist greeted them with unusual enthusiasm.

"Good morning, Mr. Morningstar, Ms. Whiteman! Head straight to the main conference room on the fifteenth floor. Everyone's waiting for you."

Dylan raised an eyebrow, exchanging a puzzled look with Clara.

"Waiting for us?" He mumbled in confusion.

"Guess we're about to find out."

Clara shrugged, following Dylan into the elevator.

The elevator doors slid open with a soft ding, and as they stepped into the fifteenth-floor conference room, the sound of applause and cheers hit them like a wave.

"Surprise!"

The room was decorated with banners that read "Congratulations, Dylan!" in bold gold letters. Balloons floated in clusters, and a long table was lined with trays of fast-finger foods and champagne flutes. 

Employees from various departments clapped and grinned, while a few photographers positioned at strategic points recorded and took pictures.

At the center of it all stood Evelyn Marquette, the managing partner of the Chicago branch. Her long dark hair had gray stripes which complimented her silver dress. Her sharp eyes scanned Dylan's appearance, slightly stunned because she found it hard to believe someone this attractive worked in the firm for so long, and she didn't notice.

"Dylan Morningstar!" Evelyn called out, stepping forward with her arms open wide. "Our hero, our rising star, and now our newest Senior Associate!"

The crowd erupted into applause again, and Dylan felt Clara's hand lightly graze his arm. 

"Say something," she murmured nervously.

She didn't expect they would announce his promotion in such a big way. This made their decision to leave feel selfish, especially when everyone was happy.

Unfortunately, Dylan didn't share similar sentiments. His eyes scanned the room, taking in the strategically placed cameras and the neatly arranged crowd of smiling faces. This wasn't a celebration. This was a spectacle, a public relations move to polish the firm's image after the fallout with Nathaniel Cross and Aria Lennox.

Without a word, Dylan stepped forward, reaching into his leather satchel and pulling out two envelopes. He strode directly to Evelyn, the noise in the room fading as people noticed his cold demeanor.

"Ms. Marquette," Dylan began, his voice steady but devoid of warmth. "Thank you for the… celebration. But I won't be staying to enjoy it."

Evelyn's smile faded instantly as Dylan handed her the envelopes.

"What's this?"

"Our resignations. Mine and Miss Clara's." Dylan responded quickly and calmly.

The air seemed to freeze, the cheerful atmosphere replaced by stunned silence. Clara's eyes widened, but she said nothing, standing firmly by Dylan's side.

Evelyn blinked, her composed facade cracking just enough to reveal her shock.

"Dylan, I don't understand. Why would you do this? After everything, we've invested in you…"

Dylan held up a hand, cutting her off. 

"You don't need to understand," he said simply. "It's already done."

Murmurs rippled through the room as employees exchanged confused glances. The cameras subtly shift to capture every moment of the unfolding drama. For these reporters, this drama was much better than the expected celebration.

"Dylan, you have to think this through, you finally have a chance to make a real difference. Don't throw it away over some grudge or impulsive decision." Evelyn said with a smile, but her tone was threatening.

"You're right. I finally have a chance to make a difference. I don't need the Black Sheep Firm to do this." Dylan chuckled, his eyes revealing a threatening flash.

Without waiting for a response, Dylan turned on his heel and walked out, Clara close behind him. The room remained silent, the festive decorations and half-filled champagne glasses sitting untouched.

As the elevator doors closed behind them, Clara finally spoke.

"Well, that wasn't how I thought this morning would go." She muttered with a bitter smile.

"Same here, but I think it went well." Dylan shrugged.

"It didn't just go well; it was perfect," Clara said, a small smile tugging at her lips

Dylan glanced at her with a genuine look of shock, which was soon replaced with a smile.

"Yeah. It was." Dylan chuckled.

"So what now?" Clara asked, looking directly into Dylan's eyes.

She came here without knowing his plan. That was how much faith she put in this man who only started speaking to her a month ago.

Love or stupidity? 

Clara couldn't tell. Her instincts told her to hold on to him now, or she would never get the chance again.

"Let's go speak to our client," Dylan answered with a wink.