The seminar

As Hayley stepped into the office, the warm glow of the fluorescent lights above seemed to envelop her, casting a sense of comfort and familiarity over her. The soft hum of the air conditioner and the gentle chatter of her colleagues created a soothing background noise, making her feel at ease. She had resumed work after her two-day break, and it felt great to be back in the chill environment.

As she made her way to her desk, her eyes wandered to the floor-to-ceiling windows that lined the office, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the room. The sky outside was a brilliant blue, with just a few wispy clouds drifting lazily across it. Hayley felt a sense of peace wash over her as she gazed out the window, her mind momentarily drifting away from the tasks at hand.

But as she sat down at her desk, her thoughts turned to Ryan, the CEO. She had decided to thank him again for his hospitality, and she was eager to get it over with. Taking a deep breath, she stood up and made her way to Ryan's office.

As she entered his office, she felt a sense of nervousness wash over her. Ryan looked up from the papers on his desk, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in Hayley's appearance. The office was dimly lit, with only a few rays of sunlight peeking through the blinds. The air was thick with the scent of old books and leather, and Hayley felt a sense of intimidation wash over her.

"Good morning, sir," Hayley said, her voice clear and respectful.

Ryan's expression softened slightly, and he leaned back in his chair. "Good morning, Hayley," he replied, his voice firm but polite. "What brings you here?"

Hayley took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. "I just wanted to thank you again for taking care of me the other day," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ryan's expression turned gentle, and he smiled slightly. "You're welcome, Hayley," he said, his voice a little softer. "I'm just glad I was there to help."

As Hayley turned to leave, Ryan said, "Wait." Hayley turned back, wondering what he wanted to say. But instead of speaking, Ryan just looked at her, his eyes searching hers. Then, he seemed to change his mind and said, "Never mind."

Hayley smiled shyly and left the office, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. But as she walked out, she couldn't help but notice the tension between them. The air was thick with unspoken attraction, and Hayley couldn't deny the fact that she was drawn to Ryan like a moth to a flame. But she decided not to ponder about it, pushing the thoughts to the back of her mind.

As she walked back to her desk, Hayley passed Yara, Ryan's fiancée, who was on her way to Ryan's office. Hayley smiled politely and greeted her, but Yara just nodded curtly and continued on her way. Hayley shrugged and went on with her work, chatting with a few colleagues and responding to emails.

Just as she was starting to focus on her work, her team lead, Ms. Vivian, called her into her office. "Hayley, I have some news to share with you," Ms Vivian said, smiling. "You've been selected to attend a seminar in another country. It's a great opportunity for you to learn and network."

Hayley's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? I'm going to another country?" she asked, excitement building up inside her.

She nodded. "Yes. And you'll be accompanying some of the top executives, including the CEO."

Hayley's heart skipped a beat as she processed the information. She would be going on a trip with CEO Ryan? Top executives?Why her? Of all people? She couldn't believe it. But she decided not to ask too many questions, nodding instead.

As she left Ms Vivian's office, Hayley couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. She didn't know how to feel about the trip, or her role there. The time read 3:30, and she decided to take a break, stretching her arms and standing up.

As she went down to the reception, it felt like déjà vu. The same blonde man she had met a few days back approached her again, this time with a friendly smile.

"Hi again," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Hi," Hayley replied, smiling. 

They chatted for a few minutes, exchanging small talk and getting to know each other. Jerry was charming and easy to talk to, and Hayley found herself feeling at ease in his presence.

As they talked, Jerry asked her about her plans for the weekend.