Although I wasn’t sure how to feel about the meeting with him, I started to sense my reactions toward him crossing the line. The calm, composed demeanor I had cultivated over the years suddenly felt like it was crumbling—breaking apart like a fragile sandcastle under relentless waves.
One thing became clear: Draven’s presence disrupted my peace and shattered my emotional balance.
As soon as I left the hotel, I called my director. I knew he’d be disappointed, and lying wasn’t an option.
“I’m sorry, Boss. The meeting didn’t go well,” I said, keeping my voice calm but laced with apology.
“That’s regretful,” he replied, his tone measured. “Let’s see what Mr. Montgomery has to say tomorrow. Don’t worry—you did a good job.”
Though his words were meant to comfort me, they did littl
