CHAPTER 3

I took a deep breath, my resolve hardening. If this didn't work, I would lose everything—my job, my credibility, and possibly my career. But if I did nothing, the outcome would be just as disastrous.

I had to try.

Summoning every ounce of courage I had, I stepped forward. "Mr. Syrus, if I may..." I began, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of nerves inside me.

Both men turned to look at me, their expressions a mix of surprise and curiosity.

"Why don't we use the name Laura?" I said, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. "It's feminine, timeless, and... it happens to be your mother's name. We could name it after her—I'm sure she'd be honored by the gesture."

I stood there, my pulse racing, suddenly aware of how bold my suggestion had been. The room fell quiet as both Mr. Black and Mr. Syrus turned to look at me. They seemed to be waiting for more, but I was too nervous to continue. Anything else I said now would probably come out as nonsense.

I crossed my fingers behind my back, praying that they'd like the idea. It had popped into my head in an instant, and somehow, the fact that Mr. Syrus's mother was named Laura felt like a serendipitous advantage. But it was risky—I was using personal information against the backdrop of business, and if they didn't like it, I might have just made a huge mistake.

The silence stretched on. I couldn't read their expressions. Mr. Syrus's face was a mask, unreadable, while Mr. Black stood rigidly, his eyes flicking from me to Mr. Syrus.

The seconds dragged on, each one feeling like an eternity. My throat tightened. The air in the room felt thick and heavy, as if I were suffocating under the weight of their scrutiny. I could barely breathe, the tension so thick I felt like it would crush me.

Finally, after what felt like a lifetime, Mr. Syrus spoke.

"I love it," Mr. Syrus said, his voice warmer than I had expected. "It really does sound better and more elegant. I only wish I had you on my team." He turned to Mr. Black, a playful glint in his eye. "Take care of this one. If not, I'll steal her away from you. I need a woman with her brains, boldness, and consideration on my team."

My heart skipped a beat.

Then, turning back to me, he asked, "What's your name?"

I froze. His question caught me off guard, and for a split second, I couldn't remember my own name. My mind went blank, my heart pounding in my chest. I'd just made this bold move, and now I was floundering. Come on, Carmen. Get it together.

Before I could stammer out a response, Mr. Black stepped in. "She's Carmen," he said, his tone light and teasing. "And I'm holding on to her, so don't even think about snatching her up."

His words, though playful, made me feel a bit more secure. I exhaled a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. Mr. Black's smile was genuine, easing some of the tension in the room.

We all chuckled, the sound of it breaking the awkwardness. It was a small moment of levity, but it was enough to make me relax, to ground myself.

For a moment, I just stood there, taking it all in—the relief that washed over me, the gratitude I felt toward Mr. Black for stepping in, and the strange but pleasant shift in the atmosphere. The storm had passed.

We took another shot, and the results were astounding—far better than all the previous takes. Both Mr. Black and Mr. Syrus looked genuinely pleased, their earlier tension melting into a cheerful camaraderie. They were chatting like old friends now, and my heart swelled with relief and pride. I had made it work. I had saved the day.

This was my chance to prove myself, and I had delivered. The weight of the day's pressure lifted as I watched them exchange smiles and laughter. It wasn't just a win for the company—it was a win for me.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mr. Syrus leave, disappearing as swiftly as he had arrived. Moments later, I noticed Mr. Black glancing at me. His expression was unreadable, but his gaze lingered. When I turned fully toward him, he gestured for me to come over.

My heart skipped a beat as I took a deep breath and walked toward him.

"Good work, Carmen. You saved this project," Mr. Black said as soon as I reached him. His tone was warm, and for the first time, he looked genuinely proud and pleased.

"Thank you," I replied, flashing my best smile, though my heart was still racing.

He paused for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully, then continued, "I'd like to show my appreciation. Would you join me for dinner tonight?"

The request caught me completely off guard. Of all the things he could have said, this was the last I'd expected. For a moment, I thought he was joking—Mr. Black, the man who kept his personal life locked away and never mixed business with pleasure, asking me to dinner? Even Monic's endless gossip about him hadn't prepared me for this. His face, as usual, was unreadable, offering no clues about what he was thinking.

"Pardon me," he added quickly, breaking the silence. "I didn't even ask if you already had plans tonight. If that's the case, we could postpone."

"No! No, no plans," I blurted out, my words tumbling over themselves. I quickly composed myself and cleared my throat. "I'd be happy to join you for dinner tonight."

"At what time?" I asked, trying my best to sound normal despite the whirlwind in my chest.

"Will you be ready by eight?"

"Yes, I will," I nodded, my voice steady now.

"Good. I'll pick you up," he said, offering a brief but lingering look before turning and walking away.

I stood rooted to the spot, replaying the moment in my head. Dinner with Mr. Black? Was this real? The man who rarely showed emotion or interest outside of work had just asked me out. My mind raced with possibilities, nerves mingling with a flicker of excitement as I tried to process what had just happened.