Way up to the top 3

After lunch, the office group headed to Town B's charming downtown, where cobblestone streets were lined with boutique shops and cozy cafés. They stopped at a local park with a serene lake, where some played a friendly game of frisbee, while others enjoyed a leisurely walk, taking in the vibrant flowers and peaceful surroundings. A few even tried paddle boating on the lake, laughing as they wobbled on the water. The evening was filled with lighthearted competition, good-natured teasing, and easy conversation, offering a much-needed escape from the usual office routine.

Now, they were back at the hotel for dinner. "Cling cling," the sound of a wine glass being tapped with a spoon silenced the room. The VP of Finance stood and announced, "Today, we're here to celebrate the 5th anniversary of Devotricks. Last year, we made it into the top 5 companies in the world, and we're steadily working our way up to the top 3. All of this is possible because of the dedication and support of every one of our employees. Now, let's hear from the backbone of this company - to our CEO of Devotricks...."

The CEO stood up, and immediately, all eyes turned to him. He wore a casual, well-fitted charcoal shirt and tailored pants, cinched with a sleek leather belt. He looked effortlessly stylish, exuding a quiet confidence. "Hi, everyone. I hope you're all enjoying yourselves," he began. "As Sam (VP of Finance) mentioned..." His dark hair, slightly tousled, framed his face in soft waves, giving him a relaxed yet polished look. His hazel brown eyes, shimmering with flecks of gold, caught the light in a way that made it hard to look away. His voice was warm and engaging, and despite standing still, his presence seemed to fill the room. Every word he spoke carried a sense of calm authority that made everyone feel valued and connected. "Thank you," he concluded.

As the crowd awed in appreciation of his speech, Aurora was utterly flabbergasted. Her eyes widened, and she gasped. "So… that 4001… is Devotricks's CEO?!" she muttered under her breath, still processing the shock. She was completely lost for words.

Ronan, noticing her stunned expression, smirked. "I agree, he's awesome, but you can't have him. So close that wide-open mouth of yours," he teased.

Aurora's mind raced. If she told her friends about staying next to the CEO, Liora and Evelyn would definitely tease her and make a huge deal out of it. The thought of them prying into every detail made her cringe. So, she bit her lip shut, deciding it was better to keep that information to herself.