More than a deal

CHAPTER SEVEN

Lena stepped through the glass doors of Aureon Industries, trying her best to look calm even though her stomach felt tight.

The building was huge.

Everything looked expensive — shiny floors, glass walls, people moving around with folders in hand like they had somewhere important to be every second.

Before she could take another step, a woman walked up to her with a friendly smile.

RACHEL: You must be Lena, right?

LENA: Yeah… Lena Hernandez.

RACHEL: Nice to meet you. We were told you’d be joining us for a while.

Lena gave a small nod.

LENA: Yeah, just temporarily.

Another employee walked over, a man carrying a tablet.

ETHAN: We don’t usually have outsiders here.

His tone wasn’t rude, just curious.

ETHAN: You must be kind of important.

Lena gave a small laugh.

LENA: Trust me, I’m really not. I’m just here to help things go smoothly.

The woman smiled

RACHEL: Well, come on. We’ll show you around.

As they walked toward the elevator, Lena noticed a few people glancing at her.

Nothing obvious.

Just curious looks.

Like everyone was quietly wondering who she was.

The elevator doors opened.

The woman pressed a button and glanced at her.

RACHEL: Don’t worry, people stare at new faces for like… a week and then move on.

That made Lena smile a little.

LENA: Good to know.

The elevator doors shut.

For the first time since arriving, it hit her.

She was really doing this.

A few minutes later, they reached her office.

It had a large window overlooking the city.

RACHEL: This is your office.

LENA: Wow.

Rachel smiled.

RACHEL: Expected reaction.

Suddenly, another employee entered.

MIA: So you’re Lena.

She smiled.

LENA: I am.

MIA: I’m Mia Thompson. If you need anything, I’m here so as Rachel.

LENA: Thank you.

MIA: Fair warning though… everyone here loves gossip.

Lena laughed.

LENA: I’ll keep that in mind.

The three women continued talking for a while.

Everyone seemed nice.

Too nice.

By lunchtime, Lena was beginning to wonder if Kael’s suspicions were wrong.

Maybe Aureon Industries really was just another company.

Then she heard it.

She had been walking toward the break room when voices came from one of the conference rooms.

The door wasn’t completely closed.

A man’s voice spoke sharply.

UNKNOWN MAN: I don’t care how you do it. Just fix it.

Another voice answered nervously.

UNKNOWN EMPLOYEE: Sir… if anyone finds out—

UNKNOWN MAN: Then make sure no one does.

Lena froze.

A few seconds later, the door opened.

She quickly looked away and continued walking.

Her heart was racing.

Maybe it was nothing.

Or maybe…

Kael had been right all along.

The workday finally came to an end.

As soon as Lena stepped outside, she saw a familiar black car parked nearby.

Kael was leaning against it.

He smiled the moment he saw her.

KAEL: So? How was your first day?

Lena walked over to him.

LENA: Interesting.

He frowned.

KAEL: That’s either very good or very bad.

She smiled.

LENA: I think I heard something.

His expression immediately changed.

KAEL: Get in.

They both climbed into the car.

As Kael drove away from Aureon Industries, Lena began telling him everything she had seen and heard.

And for the first time…

Their little deal felt like something much bigger.