Chapter 30: Dinner with the masked CEO

 As Ana left the FUSIONX building, she couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation and nervousness. She had no idea what to expect from the dinner meeting with the CEO, but she was determined to make a good impression.

She spent the rest of the day preparing for the meeting, researching the CEO and FUSIONX. However, she found it very strange that she couldn't find a single thing about the CEO - not a single picture or article. It was as if he didn't exist.

Ana found this very strange, but she didn't have time to dwell on it. She had to focus on making a good impression and securing the deal. As the evening approached, Ana took a deep breath, smoothing out her dress and making her way to the lobby.

The car arrived promptly at 7 pm, and Ana was whisked away to the restaurant. On the way Ana felt very nervous FUSIONX was not a small company and to convince The head of the company would be definitely hard. 

 "Madam are you alright"? The driver asked 

 Ana nodded, trying to compose herself. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you," she replied, attempting to sound calm. The driver nodded and continued driving, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.

As they arrived at the restaurant, Ana took a deep breath and stepped out of the car. She was greeted by Assistant Ian. 

 "Just in time, Ms Gilbert, Our boss is still on his way but I would lead you to the dinner room." 

 As Ana followed Assistant Ian through the restaurant, she couldn't help but notice the elegant décor. The walls were adorned with intricate artwork, and the tables were set with fine china and crystal glasses. They walked through a doorway, and Ana found herself in a cozy, intimate room.

The room was a typical hotel room,the light was dim, with a plush, king-sized bed standing against one wall. The bed was covered in a rich, velvety duvet, and a multitude of pillows were arranged against the headboard. A comfortable-looking armchair sat in one corner of the room, with a small, ornate table beside it.

A beautifully set table stood by the side of the room, with two chairs facing each other. The table was adorned with a crisp, white tablecloth, and a stunning floral arrangement sat in the center. Fine china and crystal glasses sparkled in the soft light, and a bottle of wine chilled in a silver ice bucket.

Ana's eyes widened as she took in the romantic setting. She had expected a formal, business-like dinner, but this was something entirely different. She felt a flutter in her chest as she realized that she would be alone in this room with, the CEO of FUSIONX.

Assistant Ian cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Ms. Gilbert, please make yourself at home. Boss will be with you shortly."

Ana nodded, trying to compose herself. She took a seat in one of the chairs, trying to ignore the sense of unease that had settled in the pit of her stomach. She didn't believe the CEO of such a big company would be unreasonable. 

 After a good thirty minutes passed Ana suddenly felt uncomfortable sitting for Soo long and doing nothing, the waitress had cane in Ten minutes ago and had refreshed her glass of water, but other than that, Ana had been left alone in the room. She decided to get up and walk around, trying to shake off the feeling of unease that had settled in. As she paced back and forth across the room, she couldn't help but notice the opulent decorations. The room was clearly designed for luxury and comfort, and Ana couldn't help but wonder what kind of business meetings typically took place here.

Just as she was starting to feel a bit more at ease, Ana heard the sound of the door opening behind her. She turned to see the CEO, a man of imposing stature, standing in the doorway. He was tall, with a commanding presence that seemed to fill the room. His broad shoulders and chiseled physique were accentuated by a tailored black suit that seemed to be molded to his body.

A black mask covered his face, leaving only his eyes, nose, and mouth visible. His eyes were a deep, piercing blue that seemed to bore into Ana's very soul. They sparkled with an intensity that made Ana's heart skip a beat. His nose was straight and proportional to his other facial features, and his mouth was set in a firm, determined line.

The CEO's demeanor was aloof and cold, his presence seeming to draw the warmth out of the room. His voice was thick and enigmatic, sending a shiver down Ana's spine as he spoke. "Ms. Gilbert, I apologize for the delay," he said, his tone detached and unyielding.

Ana nodded, trying to compose herself. "Not at all," she replied, trying to sound calm.

The CEO's gaze lingered on her for a moment, as if assessing her reaction. Then, he stepped forward, his movements fluid and confident, and walked towards the table.

 Ana quickly walked towards the table sitting opposite to the man.

 The CEO took his seat, his movements economical and precise. He unfolded his napkin, his eyes never leaving Ana's face. "I trust you're doing well, Ms. Gilbert," he said, his voice low and measured.

Ana nodded, trying to match his calm demeanor. "Yes, thank you. I'm doing well." She fidgeted slightly with her napkin, trying to break the silence.

The CEO leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving hers. "I must say, Ms. Gilbert, you're quite...resourceful. I've reviewed your proposal, and I must admit, I'm intrigued." His voice was neutral, but Ana detected a hint of curiosity beneath the surface.

Ana's heart skipped a beat as she met his gaze. She felt like she was drowning in the depths of his piercing blue eyes. She took a deep breath, trying to focus on the conversation. "Thank you, sir. I'm glad you found my proposal interesting."

 Ana launched into a detailed explanation of her proposal, but the CEO held up a hand, his eyes glinting with amusement.

"Let's not discuss business just yet, Ms. Gilbert," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "We're here for dinner, after all. Let's enjoy our meal first."

He gestured to the table, where the waitress had just arrived with a steaming tray of dishes. Ana's eyes widened as she took in the spread before her. There was a delicate soup, a salad, and a main course that looked like it had been crafted by a culinary genius.

The CEO smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I hope you're hungry, Ms. Gilbert," he said, his voice dripping with politeness.

Ana nodded, feeling a flutter in her chest. She wasn't sure what to make of the CEO's sudden change in demeanor, but she was determined to play along. She picked up her spoon and took a tentative sip of the soup, her eyes meeting the CEO's across the table.

 "Tell me more Ms Gilbert." He said as he took a sip of his wine, his eyes never leaving hers.

Ana, thinking he wanted her to elaborate on her proposal, launched into a detailed explanation of her business plan. "As I mentioned earlier, our company specializes in innovative solutions for sustainable energy. We believe that our technology has the potential to revolutionize the industry and provide a cleaner, more efficient source of energy."

But the CEO held up a hand, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I wasn't asking about your business, Ms. Gilbert," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "I was asking about you. What do you like to do in your free time? What are your interests?"

The CEO leaned forward, his eyes glinting with interest. "I want to know more about you, Ms. Gilbert," he said, his voice low and smooth. "What drives you? What motivates you?"

Ana felt a surge of surprise at the CEO's question. She hadn't expected him to be interested in her personal life. But as she looked into his eyes, she saw something there that made her want to open up to him.

"I'm driven by my passion for my work," Ana said, her voice growing stronger. "I'm motivated by the desire to succeed and make a difference in my industry."

The CEO nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "I see," he said, his voice thoughtful. "And what do you like to do in your free time, Ms. Gilbert?"

Ana hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But there was something about the CEO's demeanor that put her at ease. "I enjoy reading books about statistics," she said, her voice a little softer.

 The man nodded." So tell.... What about your relationship status. "