Episode 007
1199 Words
Office Politics
Jasmine reopened the envelope, a smile plastered on her face. She read Tristan's note again, recognizing his neat handwriting. She leaned forward again to inhale the sweet scent of the flowers.
The bouquet was a blend of roses and lilies, her favorite combination. Tristan knew her so well, and this thoughtful gesture reminded her why she loved him.
When she glanced up, she saw Maya peeking from over her cubicle, a knowing smile on her face. Jasmine held up the card and mouthed, “He’s making it up to me.”
Maya gave her a thumbs-up before turning back to her computer.
Jasmine tucked the card into her purse again, letting the note and flowers wash away the doubts that had lingered earlier. Tristan always came through, and she wouldn’t let her overthinking ruin what they had.
---
The next morning, the atmosphere in the office buzzed with tension as Jasmine stepped into the conference room for the department meeting.
The new merger announcement had everyone on edge, and it showed. Small clusters of employees whispered in hushed tones, exchanging theories about what the changes might mean for their positions. There was a clash between Jasmine's team and Tristan's team.
Jasmine took her usual seat near the middle of the table, her notebook and pen ready. She glanced around the room, noting the nervous energy. Sarah, Tristan’s assistant, sat near the head of the table, her tablet in hand.
As the meeting began, tensions quickly flared. The marketing team clashed with operations over deadlines, while social marketing expressed concerns about the budget impact of the merger. Voices rose, and it wasn’t long before everyone was talking over each other.
Tristan remained quiet throughout, letting his team members take charge.
Jasmine felt the weight of the chaos pressing down on her. Taking a deep breath, she stood up, her voice calm but firm. “Everyone, let’s take a moment to reset.”
The room quieted as all eyes turned to her.
“We’re all feeling the pressure, but arguing won’t get us anywhere,” she continued. “Let’s go one at a time and focus on solutions instead of problems.”
Her tone was steady, and she met each person’s gaze with confidence. Slowly, the tension in the room began to dissipate. Jasmine guided the conversation, ensuring everyone had a chance to speak while keeping the discussion productive.
By the end of the meeting, the team had agreed on a timeline and strategy, and the energy in the room had shifted from chaotic to collaborative.
As she gathered her things, Jasmine noticed a figure standing just outside the conference room. The same person she saw at the elevator yesterday.
He leaned casually against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest, his dark eyes focused on her. Dressed in a tailored navy suit, he exuded confidence and authority.
Their eyes met briefly, and Jasmine offered him a polite smile before turning back to her notes. She still didn't recognize him as the CEO, assuming he was another executive from the merger team.
Alexander, however, didn’t move. He remained in place, watching as she left the room, a small smile playing on his lips.
---
Later that day, Jasmine decided to surprise Tristan with lunch. It had been a while since they’d had time to connect during the workday, and she hoped a little spontaneity would brighten his afternoon.
She picked up his favorite sandwich and a coffee from the café downstairs and made her way to his office. As she approached, she saw Sarah standing by Tristan’s door, her tablet clutched tightly to her chest.
“Hey, Sarah,” Jasmine greeted her with a warm smile. “Is Tristan free?”
Sarah’s expression faltered for a moment before she shook her head. “He’s in back-to-back meetings today. I don’t think he’ll have time for lunch.”
“Oh,” Jasmine said, disappointment creeping into her voice. “Well, maybe I can leave this for him?”
Sarah hesitated, glancing at the sandwich and coffee.
“I’ll make sure he gets it,” she said finally, reaching out to take the bag.
Jasmine handed it over, her smile faltering. “Thanks, Sarah. I just thought he could use a break.”
“I’ll let him know,” Sarah replied, her tone curt as she turned and disappeared into Tristan’s office.
Jasmine stood there for a moment, feeling a pang of unease. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but something about Sarah’s behavior didn’t sit right with her. Shaking off the thought, she returned to her desk, determined not to let her mind spiral.
As the day wore on, Jasmine found herself replaying the interaction with Sarah. Was it just her imagination, or was Sarah becoming increasingly protective of Tristan’s schedule?
She tried to focus on her work, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Tristan. He had always been busy, but lately, his unavailability felt different. She couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more going on than he was letting on.
At the same time, her mind wandered to the man she’d seen outside the conference room earlier. There was something about the way he had watched her — an intensity that lingered in her thoughts.
Shaking her head, Jasmine dismissed the thought. She had enough on her plate without reading into the actions of a stranger.
As the clock ticked closer to five, Jasmine stood up to go for an evening stroll. She grabbed her purse and headed toward the elevators, eager to get fresh air.
When the elevator doors opened, she stepped inside and pressed the button for the lobby. Just as the doors began to close, a hand shot out to stop them. The door slid open again, and Alexander stepped in.
Jasmine offered him a polite nod, wondering why they were interacting more often lately.
Alexander, however, seemed in no hurry to break the silence. He stood on the opposite side of the elevator, his hands in his pockets, occasionally glancing at her. He knew that she didn’t recognize him as the CEO, and to her, he was just another colleague.
The ride down was quiet, the only sound coming from the soft hum of the elevator. Jasmine focused on the glowing numbers above the door, counting the floors as they descended.
When the doors finally opened, she stepped out without a second glance, her thoughts already drifting back to Tristan.
Alexander watched her go, a thoughtful expression on his face.
---
Minutes later, back at her desk, Jasmine found herself lost in thought. Between Sarah’s behavior and her brief encounter with Alexander, the day had left her with more questions than answers.
She sighed, shaking her head. This wasn’t how she had envisioned things going. But she reminded herself that relationships, like work, require patience and effort.
Just as she was about to pack up for the day, a message popped up on her screen. It was from Tristan: 'Busy evening. Don’t wait up. I’ll call you tomorrow.'
Jasmine stared at the message, her chest tightening.
She forced a smile, convincing herself that everything would work out. It had to.
- Writer
