Jai's Pov
The workroom was a drab, beige-colored space that seemed to suck the life out of everyone who entered. The fluorescent lights overhead cast an unforgiving glare, making the rows of cubicles look like a maze of monotony. Each cubicle was a miniature office, equipped with a standard-issue desk, chair, and computer. The walls were a dull gray, and the carpet was a faded blue that seemed to be from another era.
Jamie and Carrie sat in adjacent cubicles, their faces red with argument. Jamie's eyes were wide with passion as he threw his hands up in the air. "Billie Eilish is a better singer than Sabrina Carpenter any day!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing off the drab walls. Carrie rolled her eyes and shot back, "Not everyone is heartbroken over Billie's lyrics, Jamie." Her voice was laced with sarcasm, and her eyes sparkled with amusement.
I sat in my own cubicle, trying to focus on the report in front of me. But my mind kept wandering to Lute. The way he had looked at me with those piercing blue eyes, the way he had held me in his arms... Did he like me? I felt a flutter in my chest as I thought about it, and my cheeks grew warm.
As the argument between Jamie and Carrie escalated, I shut my eyes tightly, feeling frustrated. "Guys!" I yelled, my voice echoing through the room. Jamie and Carrie snapped their heads towards me, their faces expectant. "What?" they chimed in unison. Jamie's expression was bored, but Carrie's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
I sighed softly and stared down at my desk, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "I think I might have..." I trailed off, unsure of how to finish my sentence. The workroom was quiet for a moment, the only sound the hum of the computers and the soft rustle of papers.
Then Jamie spoke up, "What's going on?" I looked up, meeting his gaze. "Nothing," I said finally, shaking my head. "Just... nothing." The argument seemed to have dissipated, and the two of them sat in silence, each staring at me curiously.
"Are you sure about that?" Carrie asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation as she leaned forward in her chair.
"Yep," I said, my fingers flying across the keyboard as I got back to work on my computer screen.
"Are you blushing?" Jamie asked, his brown eyes fixed intently on my face, studying me with a curious expression.
"Are you and Yuan finally getting back together?" Carrie asked, her face scrunched up in disgust. I shook my head, realizing that I hadn't thought about Yuan in days. The mention of his name felt like a distant memory, and I couldn't help but wonder if I was truly over him.
"Girl, you better not be," Jamie spoke through his teeth, hissing thereafter, his tone laced with a mix of concern and warning.
"Nope," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I think Lute and I shared a moment, earlier today." I added, my cheeks warming up at the mere mention of his name.
"Urrgh," Jamie groaned, rolling his eyes wearily. "That kid again?" His tone was incredulous, and I couldn't help but laugh.
"What kind of moment?" Carrie asked, her arms crossed over her chest. She had a weird look on her face, a mix of curiosity and skepticism.
"It's probably nothing," I shrugged, trying to downplay the situation. I got back to my computer, focusing on the screen as I tried to brush off the flutter in my chest. But my mind kept wandering back to Lute.
~ ~ ~
I sat at my desk, surrounded by stacks of papers and marketing reports, my eyes scanning the data as I began to arrange my research. I was determined to crack the code on the latest consumer trends, and my research was the key. With a flourish, I started to categorize the data into neat piles, my mind racing with insights and observations. I color-coded the reports, using bright pink highlighters for key statistics and yellow for trends. As I worked, my cubicle began to transform into a hub of organized chaos, with papers and reports neatly stacked and labeled.
My focus was intense, my brow furrowed in concentration as I worked to identify patterns and correlations in the data. As I worked, my colleagues began to take notice of my progress. Carrie poked her head over the cubicle wall, eyeing my neatly organized research. "Wow, you're a genius!" she exclaimed. Jamie wandered over, curiosity getting the better of him. "What's the plan?" he asked, peering over my shoulder at the data.
I smiled, feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment. "I'm identifying key trends and patterns in the data," I explained, "and using that information to inform our marketing strategy." My colleagues nodded, impressed, and I knew I was on the right track. With my research arranged and analyzed, I felt a sense of confidence and purpose. I was ready to take on the summer marketing, and my data-driven insights were going to make all the difference.
* * * *
Lute's Pov
I blinked my eyes for the hundredth time, trying to pry them open, but the weight of exhaustion threatened to drag me under. The fluorescent lights above seemed to hum in sync with the throbbing ache in my head, a constant reminder of the sleepless nights I'd endured. Work had been overwhelming, and the pressure was taking its toll. My mind wandered to my parents, and the familiar argument that had been echoing in my head for weeks. Mom was right, Dad should have never made me the CEO. This was Logan's dream all his life, not mine. Maybe he could have been a better boss, one who didn't feel like a shipwrecked sailor lost at sea.
As I sat at my desk, the stack of papers in front of me seemed to grow taller, a daunting reminder of the tasks that lay ahead. I flipped over to the next page of Jai's proposal for the summer marketing campaign, my eyes scanning the pages with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. But as I read through the clever strategies and innovative ideas, a begrudging respect began to form. So she was smart after all, not that I would want to admit that out loud. A thin smile crept onto my lips as I remembered the moment we almost shared earlier today. The way her eyes had sparkled, the way my heart had skipped a beat. It was a fleeting moment, one that I couldn't quite grasp, but it lingered in my mind like a whispered promise. I pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the task at hand.
I thought about how pretty she looked, even in the state of embarrassment, her cheeks flushed and her eyes sparkling with a mix of vulnerability and strength. I touched my fingers against my lips, the memory of our moment a gentle hum. Turning slowly in my worn leather chair, I finally noticed the figure standing in front of me. Mrs. Thorpe's expression was poised and professional, her eyes meeting mine with a hint of expectation.
"Ah, Mrs. Thorpe," I said, my voice low and commanding, a tone that demanded attention. "Get me Miss Chen now," I instructed, drumming a staccato beat against my desk with my fingers. The sound echoed through the room, a rhythmic punctuation to my words. Mrs. Thorpe nodded, her face a mask of efficiency, and turned to carry out my request. As she disappeared from view, I couldn't help but wonder what Jai's reaction would be when she arrived.
The thought sent a spark of anticipation through me, and I leaned back in my chair, waiting.