Destiny's Arrangement

Chapter Six

The weekend had arrived, and the office was quieter than usual. Most people had already left for the day, and the energy in the building was subdued. I had stayed late on Friday to finalize the board presentation, and now, with the weekend stretching ahead, I felt a mixture of relief and apprehension.

The presentation had gone well, but the feedback from Devon had made it clear that there were still revisions to be made. The weekend was my chance to make those adjustments without the usual weekday distractions. I was determined to use this time effectively.

As I worked at my desk, I glanced at the clock. It was nearing 6 p.m., and the office was almost empty. I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering tension from the week. I was about to start on the revisions when my phone buzzed with a text message.

It was from Henry Woods.

**Henry Woods: Elena, I would like to invite you to dinner at my home tomorrow evening. Please let me know if you’re available.**

I stared at the message, surprised. I hadn’t expected an invitation from Henry Woods, Devon’s grandfather. It was both flattering and slightly intimidating. I quickly typed back a response.

**Elena Bennett: Thank you for the invitation, Mr. Woods. I would be honored to join you for dinner.**

Henry’s reply came almost immediately.

**Henry Woods: Excellent. I’ll have my driver pick you up at 6 p.m. tomorrow. I look forward to our evening together.**

I felt a mix of excitement and nerves as I finished up my work for the day. The prospect of visiting the Woods mansion and meeting Henry in person was both thrilling and daunting. I wondered what he would be like and what kind of expectations he might have.

After leaving the office, I decided to call Linda, my best friend and roommate. She was always a source of support and a sounding board for my thoughts.

“Hey, Linda. Do you have a minute?” I asked as she answered the phone.

“Of course! What’s up?” Linda’s cheerful voice came through the line.

“I just got an invitation to dinner from Henry Woods for tomorrow evening. I’m kind of nervous about it,” I admitted.

“Wow, that’s amazing!” Linda exclaimed. “I’m sure it’s going to be fine. Henry Woods is a big deal, but I’m sure he’s just curious to meet you and see how you’re doing.”

“That’s what I’m hoping,” I said. “It’s just a bit overwhelming. I’ve never been to the Woods mansion before, and I’m not sure what to expect.”

“Don’t worry too much. Just be yourself. They invited you because they value your work and want to get to know you better. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to make a good impression,” Linda reassured me.

“You’re right,” I said, feeling a bit more confident. “I just need to remember that I’ve been doing a good job and that they’re interested in what I bring to the table.”

“Exactly,” Linda agreed. “And if you need any help picking out an outfit or anything, just let me know. We can do a little fashion consultation tonight.”

I laughed, feeling the tension ease. “Thanks, Linda. I might take you up on that offer. I’ll let you know if I need any help.”

“Anytime,” Linda said warmly. “Good luck with the dinner. I know you’ll do great.”

After hanging up, I felt a renewed sense of confidence. Linda’s support was always a comfort, and her encouragement helped calm my nerves.

Later that evening, I went through my wardrobe, trying to decide on an outfit for the dinner. I chose a classic, elegant dress that I felt would be appropriate for the occasion. With Linda’s help over a video call, I made sure everything was perfect.

The next day, I spent the morning and early afternoon making the final revisions to the board presentation and preparing for the dinner. I wanted to make sure everything was in order before heading to the Woods mansion.

At 6 p.m., I was ready and waiting when the driver from the Woods estate arrived. The drive to the mansion was a quiet one, filled with anticipation. The cityscape gradually gave way to more spacious and elegant surroundings as we approached the mansion.

When we arrived, the grandeur of the Woods mansion took my breath away. The sprawling estate was illuminated with soft lighting, casting a warm glow over the manicured gardens and impressive facade. The driver escorted me to the front door, where a butler greeted me with a polite nod.

“Ms. Bennett, Mr. Woods is expecting you. Please follow me.”

I followed the butler through a beautifully decorated hallway and into a spacious dining room. Henry Woods was already seated at the head of the table, a distinguished-looking man with a commanding presence. He stood as I entered, his expression warm and welcoming.

“Ah, Elena,” he said with a smile. “I’m glad you could make it. Please, have a seat.”

I thanked him and took my place at the table, feeling a bit out of my element in the opulent surroundings. Henry settled into his chair, and the butler began to serve a delicious-looking meal.

As we began to eat, Henry engaged me in conversation, his demeanor friendly and inquisitive.

“I must say, Elena, I’ve been following your progress with great interest,” Henry began. “Devon speaks highly of you. It’s not often that I get to meet the people who are making such an impact on the company.”

I felt a mixture of pride and nervousness at his words. “Thank you, Mr. Woods. I’m honored by the opportunity to contribute to the company.”

Henry nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face. “It’s clear that you’re dedicated and capable. That’s why I wanted to get to know you better. Devon has high standards, and I believe he sees great potential in you.”

Just then, the dining room doors opened, and Devon entered, looking as impeccable as ever in a tailored suit. His presence immediately commanded attention, and I felt my heart skip a beat as he approached the table.

“Good evening, Grandfather,” Devon said, his voice smooth and authoritative. He glanced in my direction, his gaze lingering for a moment before he took his seat.

“Ah, Devon,” Henry said with a smile. “I’m glad you could join us.”

Devon nodded and took his seat next to me. “I wouldn’t miss it,” he said, offering me a brief, yet polite smile.

The dinner continued with Devon joining the conversation effortlessly. It was clear he had a strong rapport with his grandfather, and their interactions were filled with warmth and respect. Despite my initial nerves, I found myself enjoying the conversation. Devon’s demeanor was more relaxed than usual, and he seemed genuinely engaged in the evening’s discussions.

Henry asked about the progress of the board presentation and praised Devon for his leadership in the company. Devon responded with modesty, but his pride in the company was evident.

As the evening went on, the conversation shifted to lighter topics, and I found myself sharing stories about my experiences and interests. Devon participated in the discussion, his comments and questions showing a more personable side than the one I usually encountered at work.

At one point, Henry excused himself to take a phone call, leaving Devon and me alone at the table. The change in atmosphere was palpable, and I felt a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

“So, how did you find the presentation?” Devon asked, his tone casual but with a hint of seriousness.

I met his gaze, trying to gauge his mood. “I think it went well. There were some tough questions, but I felt like I handled them okay. I’m working on the revisions now.”

Devon nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face. “You did a good job. The feedback was constructive, and I’m confident that the final version will be even better.”

“Thank you,” I said, feeling a bit more at ease. “I appreciate the support.”

Devon’s gaze softened slightly, and he gave a small nod. “We’re lucky to have you on the team.”

Before the conversation could delve deeper, Henry returned, and the evening continued with more light-hearted conversation. As dinner concluded, Henry expressed his gratitude for the company and extended an invitation for future visits.

“It’s been a pleasure having you here, Elena,” Henry said as he escorted me to the front door. “I hope we can continue to build a strong working relationship. Your contributions to the company are valuable, and I look forward to seeing how you continue to grow.”

I smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment and gratitude. “Thank you, Mr. Woods. I appreciate the opportunity and the kind words.”

As I left the mansion and returned to the city, I reflected on the evening. The dinner had been both enlightening and encouraging. Henry Woods was a formidable figure, but his warmth and support made me feel more confident about my place within the company. And having Devon there, interacting with me in a more personal setting, had provided a new perspective on our working relationship.