Chapter 28: Thinking about him

 The company's car drove through the crowded streets of the city, expertly navigating through the traffic. Ana sat in the backseat, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of the meeting with Surprisingly she had gotten an email from FUSIONX team saying she should have a meeting with the CEO to talk about the project sponsorship, She was determined to make a good impression and secure the deal.

As the car pulled up to the FUSIONX building, Ana's nerves began to settle in. She took a deep breath and stepped out of the car, smoothing out her dress and making her way to the entrance.

Inside the building, Ana was greeted by a receptionist. the crowded streets of the city, expertly navigating through the traffic. Ana sat in the backseat, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of the meeting with FUSIONX. She was determined to make a good impression and secure the deal.

As the car pulled up to the FUSIONX building, Ana's nerves began to settle in. She took a deep breath and stepped out of the car, smoothing out her dress and making her way to the entrance.

Inside the building, Ana was greeted by a receptionist me,"Hello, Good afternoon Miss, how may I help you." 

 "Good afternoon," Ana replied with a smile. "I'm here for a meeting with the CEO. My name is Anastasia Gilbert, and I'm from NEXA Technology."

 The receptionist's eyes scanned her computer screen before looking up at Anastasia Gilbert with a confused expression. "I apologize, Miss Gilbert, but I don't see your meeting scheduled in our system. Could you please confirm the meeting details?"

Anastasia smiled politely and rummaged through her bag for her phone. She pulled up the email from FUSIONX and showed it to the receptionist. "I received this email from your team earlier today, confirming our meeting by 2:00 noon. I'm here to discuss the potential partnership between NEXA Technology and FUSIONX."

The receptionist's expression turned apologetic. "I apologize for the mistake, Miss Gilbert. It seems that the meeting was not recorded in our system. Let me check with our team to see what happened."

Anastasia nodded, trying to remain patient despite the unexpected hitch. She took a seat in the waiting area, her eyes fixed on the receptionist as she made a phone call to investigate the issue.

 Minutes passed by, and Ana continued to wait. The receptionist was still on the phone, trying to resolve the issue. Ana checked her watch for what felt like the hundredth time, growing increasingly anxious about the delay.

 Minutes passed by, and Anastasia continued to wait. The receptionist was still on the phone, trying to resolve the issue. Anastasia checked her watch for what felt like the hundredth time, growing increasingly anxious about the delay.

Just as she was starting to get frustrated, a man approached the reception desk. The receptionist looked up and smiled. "Assistant Ian, this is Miss Anastasia Gilbert from NEXA Technology. She's here for a meeting with the CEO, but it seems the meeting wasn't recorded in our system.":

 As Ana gazed at the man standing before her, she couldn't help but feel a sudden jolt of familiarity. His tall, imposing frame, clad in a sleek, dark suit that seemed to be tailored to perfection, was certainly intimidating. But it was his eyes, hidden behind a pair of sleek, black sunglasses, that truly sent a shiver down her spine.

There was something about his demeanor, a certain cold, detached air that seemed to radiate from him like an aura, that reminded her of Ethan. Specifically, it reminded her of the first time they had met at the restaurant, when Ethan's reserved, almost aloof, temperament had left her feeling both intrigued and intimidated, Ana sighed in her heart realizing she was thinking of Ethan.

As the man's gaze met hers,she suddenly felt a sense of familiarity. 

"Ms. Gilbert, I apologize for the confusion earlier," he said, his tone polite but firm. "I'm Assistant Ian, the CEO's personal assistant. And I can assure you that there was indeed a scheduled meeting between you and the CEO."

Ana's eyes narrowed slightly, her mind racing with questions. "So, where is the CEO?" she asked, trying to keep her tone neutral.

Assistant Ian's expression turned apologetic. "I'm afraid the CEO had to leave for an unexpected meeting. Something urgent came up, and he had to attend to it personally."

Ana felt a surge of frustration wash over her. She had been looking forward to this meeting all day, and now it seemed that it wasn't going to happen after all. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.

"When can I reschedule the meeting?" she asked, trying to keep her tone polite.

Assistant Ian hesitated for a moment before responding. "I'll have to check the CEO's schedule, but I can assure you that we'll be in touch soon to arrange a new meeting time."

Ana nodded, feeling a sense of disappointment wash over her. She had been so sure that this meeting was going to be the breakthrough she needed, and now it seemed that it was being delayed. She turned to leave, but then paused."can the meeting be rescheduled anytime soon." 

 Assistant Ian began to speak, his tone measured and professional. "The CEO is extremely busy, and his schedule is quite packed. However, I can try to see if there's an opening...," he trailed off, his eyes glazing over as he checked his phone.

Ana watched him, her mind racing with possibilities. She had been so sure that this meeting was going to be the breakthrough she needed, and now it seemed that it was being delayed.

Just as she was starting to lose hope, Assistant Ian's expression changed. He looked up from his phone, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

"Actually, Ms. Gilbert, it seems that the CEO may be available to meet with you tonight," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of surprise.

Ana's eyes widened, her heart racing with excitement. "Tonight?" she repeated, trying to keep her tone neutral.

Assistant Ian nodded. "Yes, the CEO has a dinner meeting scheduled, and he would like to invite you to join him. Would you be available to meet with him tonight?"

Ana hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say. She had not been expecting this, and she wasn't sure if she was ready to meet with the CEO in such an informal setting.

But then she thought about the potential benefits of meeting with the CEO tonight. It could be an opportunity to make a good impression, to build a relationship with the CEO and potentially secure the deal.

She took a deep breath, making her decision. "Yes, I would be happy to meet with the CEO tonight," she said, trying to sound confident and professional.

Assistant Ian nodded, a smile spreading across his face. "Excellent. I will arrange for a car to pick you up at 7 pm. The CEO will meet you at the restaurant."

Ana nodded, feeling a sense of excitement and nervousness. She had no idea what to expect from this dinner meeting, but she was determined to make a good impression and secure the deal.