Episode 3: First Clash
408 Words
By the time Nico Alvarez arrived at Leah’s office, she had already prepared herself for the tension that came with working alongside him. What she hadn't prepared for was the way he looked at her—like he still enjoyed testing her limits.
Dressed in a tailored charcoal suit, Nico carried himself with the same effortless confidence that had always irritated her. He walked in like he owned the place, and maybe part of him believed he did.
“Leah,” he greeted, his voice smooth as ever.
“Nico,” she replied coolly, gesturing for him to take a seat.
Behind him, his team filed in—young, eager professionals ready to take notes. Leah’s own team sat across from them, laptops open, waiting for instructions.
The meeting began, and for the first twenty minutes, everything was strictly professional. They discussed project goals, marketing strategies, and launch timelines. Leah kept her focus on the numbers, on efficiency.
But, of course, Nico had to push boundaries.
“I think we should aim for a bolder approach in the campaign,” he said, leaning forward slightly. “Something that makes a statement.”
Leah arched an eyebrow. “Bold is one thing. Reckless is another.”
His lips curved into a smirk. “You always play it safe, don’t you?”
Her jaw tightened. He knew exactly how to get under her skin.
“I play it smart,” she corrected. “Which is why my campaigns deliver results without unnecessary risks.”
Nico’s gaze held hers, amused. “And yet, the biggest successes in this industry come from taking risks.”
A silent challenge passed between them. Leah could feel the attention of the room shifting—her team watching her, his team watching him. The air felt charged, filled with unspoken history.
Vanessa, ever the peacemaker, cleared her throat. “I think a balance between bold and calculated could work. Maybe we develop two concepts and test them?”
Leah didn’t break eye contact with Nico. She could tell he was enjoying this—pushing her, seeing how far she’d go before snapping.
Finally, she nodded. “Fine. Two concepts. Let’s see which one performs better.”
Nico’s smirk widened, and Leah knew she had just given him exactly what he wanted—a reason to keep pushing.
The meeting continued, but Leah was already certain of one thing: this partnership was going to be a battle.
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