Chapter 24
693 Words
Chapter 24
HER POV
I decided to ignore the chairman's last comment.
At least, I tried to.
Don't work tonight. You look tired.
It wasn't exactly a command.
But coming from him, it sounded dangerously close to one.
I sat at my desk that evening with my laptop open, three documents waiting for my attention, and a cup of coffee beside me.
I stared at the screen.
Then at the coffee.
Then back at the screen.
I sighed.
"You're really doing this?" Benedicta asked from the other side of my office.
I looked up. "Doing what?"
"Working."
"I'm always working."
"Exactly. That's the problem."
I rolled my eyes. "You came here to complain?"
"I came to return your charger." She dropped it on my desk. "But now that I'm here, I'm going to complain too."
I smiled despite myself.
Benedicta pulled the chair opposite me and sat down.
"So," she said.
I immediately became suspicious.
"So what?"
"The dinner."
"What dinner?"
"The investors' dinner."
"Oh."
She leaned forward. "You're going?"
"Yes."
"With him?"
I stared at her.
"The chairman invited me because of the investors attending."
"I know."
"Then why are you asking?"
"Because it's you."
I frowned. "What does that mean?"
"It means you usually hate these things."
"I hate pointless social events. This one isn't pointless."
"Fair."
I returned to my laptop.
She watched me for a few seconds.
"Do you like him?"
My fingers stopped above the keyboard.
I looked at her.
"Who?"
She gave me a look.
"You know who."
I leaned back in my chair.
"No."
"That's not what I asked."
"I don't like him."
"Do you dislike him?"
I thought about it.
"No."
"Interesting."
"Benedicta."
"What?"
"He's my business partner."
"He's not exactly your average business partner."
I sighed.
"He is to me."
She smiled knowingly.
I didn't like that smile.
"Stop."
"I haven't said anything."
"Your face did."
She laughed.
I shook my head and returned to my work.
But the truth was, I understood what she was getting at.
The chairman was different from most people I dealt with.
He didn't flatter me.
He didn't underestimate me.
He didn't try to explain my own business to me.
If he disagreed, he said so.
If he liked an idea, he approved it.
If he didn't, he challenged it.
And somehow, I respected that.
That didn't mean I liked him.
At least, that's what I kept telling myself.
My phone buzzed.
I picked it up.
An email.
Chairman's Office — Investors' Dinner
I opened it.
The event was scheduled for Friday evening at one of the city's most exclusive hotels.
Dress code: Formal.
Arrival: 7:00 p.m.
I read through the guest list.
Several major investors.
Two international banking executives.
A few company founders.
I recognized almost every name.
This wasn't just dinner.
It was a room full of opportunities.
I smiled slightly.
Now I understood why he'd invited me.
Benedicta leaned over.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You smiled."
"I saw the guest list."
"Of course."
I ignored her.
My phone buzzed again.
This time, it was a message from the chairman.
Chairman: I've sent the details. If you have any questions, ask my office.
I stared at the message.
Then typed.
Me: I saw them. Thank you.
A few seconds passed.
Another message appeared.
Chairman: And Angela?
I paused.
Me: Yes?
The typing indicator appeared.
Then disappeared.
Then appeared again.
Finally—
Chairman: Get some rest tonight.
I stared at the screen.
Benedicta noticed.
"What did he say?"
"Nothing."
"That face says something."
I locked my phone.
"He told me to rest."
She burst out laughing.
"That man is already acting like your husband."
"He's my chairman."
"That's not what I said."
I stood up.
"I'm going home."
"Finally."
I grabbed my bag.
"And I'm not working tonight."
Benedicta smiled.
"Look at you. Growth."
I laughed.
Maybe she was right.
Maybe I did work too much.
But as I walked out of the office, one thought stayed with me.
Friday wasn't just another dinner.
It was my first real chance to see how far this partnership could take my company.
And I intended to make the most of it.
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