Chapter 2

(Alice's P.O.V)

After dinner with the stranger, he insisted on driving me all the way back to my apartment, despite my request to drop me off halfway. The memory of his face lingered in my mind, and I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of my stomach. As I drifted off to sleep, my mind replayed the events of the evening, but my rest was short-lived.

The morning sunlight streaming through my window served as a gentle awakening, but the remnants of a restless night still lingered. Despite the fatigue that should have weighed me down, an inexplicable energy coursed through my veins. I sprang into action, my movements fluid and purposeful as I prepared for another day at work.

Slipping into a crisp light green dress and sleek black heels, I felt invigorated. In front of the mirror, I assessed my reflection, the soft glow of the morning light camouflaging the telltale signs of sleep deprivation. My light green dress, a vibrant splash of color, seemed to radiate an optimism I hadn't felt in hours. The black heels added a touch of sophistication, a subtle reminder of the professional persona I was about to embody.

As I slipped my bag over my shoulder, my fingers brushed against the neatly folded jacket within. Mr. Black's jacket, washed and returned to its pristine state, served as a tangible connection to the events of the previous night. The memory of his dark gaze flickered in my mind, but I pushed it aside, focusing instead on the day ahead.

With one final glance around my apartment, I stepped out into the morning, ready to face whatever challenges lay in store. Upon arriving at the office, I was greeted by the receptionist's warm smile. "Good morning! You look lovely today." Her eyes sparkled with genuine interest, but I sensed a hint of curiosity.

"Thanks, Sarah. Just trying to shake off last night's...long meeting." I smiled back, careful not to reveal too much. Arriving at the 5th floor, I rushed to my cubicle, relieved to see I was only five minutes late. I dove into my work to avoid drawing attention from my manager, Mr. Michael.

As I settled at my desk, my computer screen flickered to life, displaying a sea of emails. My gaze drifted to the corner of the room, where our team leader, Rachel, was engrossed in a phone call. Her expression seemed tense, her brow furrowed, but I figured it might just be a work thing.

I had a seriously packed morning today. My first meeting was with Mr. Michael, our marketing director, to discuss the quarterly campaign. His enthusiasm was infectious as he outlined innovative strategies to boost our brand's online presence. "Think outside the box, Emma," he urged, scribbling notes on a whiteboard. "We need something bold, something that'll make our competitors green with envy."

I nodded, jotting down key points. Our brainstorming session yielded some exciting ideas. As we were still discussing in the meeting room, I noticed a new face – Olivia, a recent hire from a top marketing firm. Her reputation preceded her, and I had heard whispers about her impressive track record.

Mr. Michael introduced us, and Olivia flashed a bright smile, which was unusually sweet for someone with her type of reputation. "Mr. Michael, I've heard great things about your work. I'm excited to collaborate." Everything started out great, but as the meeting progressed, Olivia began to dominate the discussion, questioning my approaches and suggesting alternative strategies.

Her tone was polite but assertive, and I sensed a subtle challenge. "I understand where you're coming from, Alice," Olivia said, "But don't you think our target audience would respond better to a more edgy campaign?" I felt a twinge of defensiveness, but maintained my composure. "Actually, our research suggests a more nuanced approach would resonate better with our demographic."

Olivia raised an eyebrow. "I'd love to see that research. I've found that sometimes, playing it safe can be, well, boring." The room fell silent, and I sensed my colleagues watching our exchange. Mr. Michael intervened, "Let's discuss this further. Alice, can you share your findings?" I nodded, pulling up my data. "Of course."

As the meeting concluded, Olivia approached me. "Alice, I hope I didn't come across as confrontational. I just want to push the boundaries." I smiled, intrigued by her passion. "Not at all. I welcome constructive criticism." But as we parted ways, I couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to Olivia than what she was letting on.

Next, I tackled a complex project that required my attention. The hours flew by as I worked diligently, lost in spreadsheets and data analysis.

As lunchtime approached, I took a short break to grab a sandwich from the cafeteria. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, enticing me to grab a cup. As I waited in line, I scrolled through my phone, noticing a text from Emily, my best friend: "Hey, how's your day going?"

I smiled, feeling a surge of gratitude for her support. "It's been productive so far," I replied. "Just finished a great meeting with Mr. Michael and made some progress on those sales reports." I replied, finishing up my lunch.

After finishing up with my lunch, I returned to my office. Upon getting there, I spotted Mr. Black's jacket poking out of my bag, which I had almost forgotten. I picked it up quickly and headed to the elevator, bound for the top floor.

As I stepped out of the elevator on the top floor, my heart began to race like a wild animal. I felt a bead of sweat trickle down my spine as I approached Mr. Black's office. The door, a sleek and imposing slab of dark wood, seemed to loom over me like a sentinel. I raised my hand, hesitated for a moment, and then knocked softly.

The door swung open with a soft hiss, revealing a spacious office that seemed to be bathed in a warm, golden light. Mr. Black sat on a plush couch, his eyes fixed intently on me as I entered. He was even more handsome than I remembered, his chiseled features and piercing gaze making my pulse stutter.

I felt a flutter in my chest as I approached him, my legs trembling slightly beneath my dress. "Good afternoon sir, I-I came to return the jacket you gave me yesterday," I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper.

Mr. Black's gaze never wavered, his eyes burning with an intensity that made my skin prickle. "Alright...Sam," he said, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine. His assistant stepped forward, taking the jacket from me with a discreet smile.

As I turned to leave, Mr. Black's voice stopped me in my tracks unexpectedly. "I never got your name," he said, his tone low and husky. I felt a jolt of electricity run through me as I turned back to face him, my heart pounding in my chest. "Um, A-alice, Alice Smith," I stuttered, my voice trembling.

Mr. Black's eyes seemed to bore into mine, as if searching for secrets. "It's nice meeting you, Miss Smith," he said, his voice dripping with an unsettling charm. I managed a weak smile before turning and fleeing his office, my heart still racing with excitement and fear.

After that whole awkward situation with the CEO, I dove back into work, tackling a complex project that required my attention. The hours flew by as I worked diligently, lost in spreadsheets and data analysis. As the day drew to a close, I reflected on my accomplishments, feeling a sense of pride and fulfillment. It had been a productive day, filled with progress and promise. I wasted no time in packing up my belongings, eager to head home and unwind.

As I stepped into the elevator, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. The soft glow of the evening light camouflaged the telltale signs of fatigue, but I knew I needed a good night's rest. The memory of Mr. Black's jacket, which I had returned earlier, lingered in my mind. I pushed the thought aside, focusing on the comforting routine of heading home.

The elevator doors slid open, and I stepped out into the cool evening air, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. As I walked home, the city lights twinkling around me, giving me a sense of comfort, which I really needed after the stress of the day's work.