My Corporate Affair

Chapter Eleven

Sophie....

The next morning, I walked into the office, and the usual sounds of typing and quiet conversations filled the air. But today, something felt different. The staff seemed to be whispering to each other, their faces glued to their phones. I noticed a few people blushing, giggling, clearly excited about something, but I had no idea what it was.

As I walked to my desk, I bumped into one of the male interns from the marketing team. He was grinning, clearly excited about something.

“Hey, Sophie! You won’t believe what’s going on,” he said, his eyes full of excitement.

“What’s happening?” I asked, curious.

“The CEO’s speech from the foundation gala last night? It’s gone viral!” he said, his voice a little quieter, like it was some big secret. “Everyone’s talking about it.”

I was surprised. “Really? Why?”

“He was amazing! He spoke with so much passion, and people can’t stop watching it. You should check it out,” he said with a big smile.

I felt a little nervous but also curious. I didn’t even know such ever happened.

“Okay, I’ll watch it,” I said.

He handed me his phone, and I hesitated for a second before accepting it. I pressed play, and the video began.

The first thing I noticed was how calm and collected Elliot looked standing at the podium. But as soon as he started speaking, there was a sense of realness to his voice. He talked about legacy, about leaving something behind that mattered, and his words hit me more than I thought they would. He wasn’t just talking business; he was speaking from the heart.

The crowd clapped, but I hardly noticed. I was too focused on his words. I had never seen him like this. He wasn’t just the CEO; he was showing a side of him I hadn’t known existed.

When the video ended, I blinked a few times, surprised by how powerful it had been.

“That was... really good,” I said, handing the phone back to the intern.

He smiled. “I told you! It’s all over the internet now. People are calling him ‘the CEO with a heart.’”

I smiled a little, feeling a strange mix of emotions. Seeing him like that, so open and honest, made me think there was so much more to him than I realized. Maybe I had only seen the surface before.

I shook my head slightly. It didn’t matter. I was just an intern. But still, a small part of me wondered if that was the real Elliot, the one behind the CEO image.

The day felt long, and I couldn’t focus. I had been hoping Elliot would come to the office, but it looked like he wasn’t. I couldn’t help feeling disappointed. I had wanted to see him, even if it was just for a moment.

As I tried to push those thoughts away and get back to work, my mind kept drifting back to the video I had seen earlier. I watched Elliot’s speech over and over. It was everywhere. People were talking about it, even whispering about it when I passed by them. I could tell they were all impressed.

I opened the video again, and once more, I couldn’t look away. Watching Elliot speak, his calm confidence, the way he looked so good in that suit, it was like he owned the room. It wasn’t just the power he had as the CEO, but the way he carried himself.

I watched it again. And again. Every time, he seemed even more amazing. His voice, the way he commanded the stage,he looked so... different from what I was used to seeing at work.

Each time I replayed it, I couldn’t help but feel a little drawn to him. I wasn’t sure why, but every time I watched the video, he seemed to pull me in even more. Maybe it was just the way he looked, or maybe it was something more.

Either way, I couldn’t stop watching.

The day was finally over, and I packed up my things, ready to head home. As I stepped outside the office, the city seemed alive with its usual rush of traffic and people. But today, it felt different.

Everywhere I looked, there were billboards with Elliot’s picture, his serious, handsome face staring down at me. Short clips from his speech at the Foundation Gala played on huge screens near busy intersections. His words echoed through the city, and news outlets ran stories about the gala, highlighting his powerful speech.

It was like he was everywhere. His presence, his confidence, it filled the city in a way that made me feel like I was in his world. The more I looked around, the more I realized how much attention he had gotten from the event.

For a moment, I stood there, just taking it all in. It wasn’t just that Elliot was a CEO, he was a big deal. Everyone knew him, talked about him, and now, even the city seemed to be a reflection of his power.

As I walked down the street, I couldn’t stop thinking about how different he seemed. I’d seen him in the office before, but now, seeing him up there on those billboards, I couldn't ignore how much of an impact he had, how much everyone respected him.

I tried to push those thoughts away as I made my way home, but they stuck with me. He seemed unreachable, like someone who belonged in a world so far away from mine.

But still, I couldn’t stop thinking about him.

Elliot....

The night was far from over, but I was already feeling like I wanted to escape. The club was packed, the music pounding through the walls, and there were people everywhere, laughing, chatting, and celebrating. I was here with some friends, people who always wanted something from me, always knew how to flatter, always knew what to say. I could already tell they were all discussing my speech from the gala, how cool I’d looked, how confident I was.

"Man, that speech? You nailed it," one of my friends said, raising his glass toward me.

"Yeah, seriously. You looked like you owned the room. So, when’s the next big speech?" another friend added with a grin, clearly impressed.

I gave a tight smile and took a sip of my drink. They were right, but the truth was, I didn't feel it. I hadn’t felt it all night. The accolades, the compliments, they all felt empty. As if it was just another act, another performance for people who didn’t really know me.

I didn’t want to talk about it anymore. I needed a break from all of it.

"Excuse me, guys," I muttered, pushing away from the group. I couldn’t handle it any longer.

I stepped out into the cool night air, feeling a little lighter as the noise from the club faded behind me. The street was quieter here, and the silence felt... better. I needed some space, some time alone to think. I walked toward my car, the dim streetlights flickering above.

I just needed a moment of peace.

But then, as I was walking along the sidewalk, I saw someone. It was Sophie.

She was walking on the pedestrian lane, her face lit by the glow of the streetlights. She looked like she was heading home after a long day. I didn't expect to see her here, not in the middle of the night and not so close to the club.

For a brief second, I stopped in my tracks. My heart skipped a beat. There she was, looking effortlessly beautiful, lost in her thoughts, completely unaware of the world around her.

Without thinking, I took a step closer, my eyes locked on her. I was surprised by how much I wanted to say something, anything to break the silence between us.

But for a moment, I just watched her, my mind racing.