Business Trip 1
1006 Words
Ingrid
Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains long before my alarm sounded, yet I had been awake for several minutes, staring absentmindedly at the ceiling while mentally running through everything I would need for the next few days. Travelling with the Mercer family wasn't something I had imagined when this plan first began, and although the purpose of the trip remained business, the presence of Aurelia and Holly changed the atmosphere entirely.
By the time I finished getting ready, Richard was already seated in the dining area with a cup of coffee in one hand and his tablet in the other, briefly lifting his eyes as I descended the staircase. His gaze swept over me once before returning to the screen, the faint nod he gave telling me he had already approved of my appearance without needing to say a word.
"You'll be away for a few days," he remarked after setting the tablet aside. "Don't overthink anything. Cooper is observant, but people like him are easier to read when they're outside their usual environment."
I reached for a slice of toast before taking my seat opposite him, quietly listening as he spoke. He never tried to rehearse conversations with me or dictate every move I should make because he understood that people were unpredictable, something no amount of planning could completely prepare us for.
"I'll manage," I answered calmly. "Besides, it's difficult to stay nervous around Holly. She somehow makes every situation feel lighter."
A faint smile crossed his lips before disappearing almost immediately.
"Then let her be exactly that—a child. Don't drag her into whatever is between you and Cooper."
His words settled heavily in my chest.
"I won't."
Breakfast ended shortly afterwards, and before leaving the house, I collected my overnight bag from the hallway, slipping it into the boot of the waiting car. The drive to Mercer Corporation was unusually peaceful, giving me enough time to organise the day's itinerary inside my head before the familiar glass building finally came into view.
Unlike every other morning, the executive parking area held only a few vehicles. Cooper had instructed everyone whose presence wasn't required for the trip to continue with their normal duties, leaving the building noticeably quieter than usual.
The elevator opened onto the executive floor, where James stood balancing two cups of coffee while attempting to read through a stack of documents tucked beneath one arm. The moment he noticed me, his face brightened into the same mischievous grin that rarely failed to appear whenever he had an opportunity to tease someone.
"There she is," he announced dramatically. "Our lucky traveller."
I laughed softly as I approached him.
"I didn't realise going to work suddenly made someone lucky."
"Oh, this isn't work anymore."
He lowered his voice conspiratorially.
"You'll be flying on the Mercer family's private jet. Some of us have been working here for years and have never stepped inside that thing."
"Maybe you're not behaving well enough."
He clutched his chest theatrically.
"That hurts."
Our conversation ended when the office door opened.
Cooper stepped into the corridor carrying nothing more than a slim laptop case, his tailored charcoal suit fitting him as perfectly as ever despite the early hour. His expression remained unreadable, though the brief glance he spared James told me he'd heard enough of the conversation to know we hadn't been discussing work.
"Everything ready?" he asked.
"Yes, sir," I replied, lifting the travel folder slightly.
He gave a short nod before checking the time on his watch.
"They should be here any minute."
Almost as if summoned by his words, the elevator chimed once more.
The doors slid open to reveal Aurelia dressed elegantly in a cream knitted dress beneath a long beige coat, her hair tied neatly behind her shoulders while Holly skipped excitedly beside her with a tiny pink backpack bouncing against her back. Two household staff followed behind them, wheeling their luggage with practiced ease before quietly stepping aside.
The instant Holly spotted me, her face lit up.
"Miss Ingrid!"
She hurried across the corridor before wrapping both hands around mine, smiling so brightly that it became impossible not to smile back.
"You came!"
"I promised I would."
"I thought maybe you changed your mind."
I crouched slightly until we were at eye level.
"And disappoint my favourite little girl?"
She giggled before leaning closer.
"I brought Captain Fluffy."
"Did you?"
She proudly opened her backpack just enough for the teddy bear's tiny ears to peek out.
"He wanted to see the clouds too."
I laughed quietly, carefully zipping the bag again.
"I'm sure he'll enjoy the view."
Behind us, Aurelia watched the exchange with gentle amusement before turning toward Cooper.
"The luggage is already loaded into the cars."
"Good."
He glanced around once, making sure nothing had been forgotten.
"Let's go."
Less than thirty minutes later, our convoy turned through the secured entrance of Mercer's private aviation terminal, bypassing the busy commercial airport entirely. The quiet surroundings, polished glass building and waiting ground crew reflected the kind of wealth that didn't need announcing because it spoke for itself.
Before the vehicles had completely stopped, uniformed staff were already approaching to collect the luggage, greeting Cooper respectfully as though they had expected his arrival to the exact minute. Holly climbed out first, immediately pointing excitedly toward the sleek white jet resting on the runway, its silver Mercer emblem gleaming beneath the morning sun.
"Look, Miss Ingrid!"
"I see it."
"It's ours."
There wasn't the slightest hint of arrogance in her voice.
Only pure excitement.
I found myself looking toward Cooper instead.
He spoke briefly with the captain waiting near the aircraft while signing a document handed to him, his movements calm and familiar, making it obvious this wasn't an occasional luxury but simply another part of his everyday life.
For a brief moment, I realised how little I actually knew about the man I had come here to understand.
Perhaps...
This journey would reveal far more than any investigation ever could.
- Writer
