Chapter 12: Behind Her Smile
619 Words
Tuesday morning...
Project Phoenix officially began.
The conference room was already filled with department heads when Emma quietly walked in.
She chose a seat near the end of the table.
As far from Adrian as possible.
A moment later...
The door opened.
Everyone immediately stood.
"Good morning, Mr. Blackwood."
Adrian gave a small nod.
"Good morning."
His gaze swept across the room...
Before stopping at Emma.
Just for a second.
Then he continued walking as if nothing had happened.
The meeting started.
For nearly an hour, Adrian discussed budgets, deadlines, and expansion plans.
Emma focused on her notes.
Professional.
Calm.
Exactly as she always was.
Then...
Adrian looked up.
"Any concerns?"
Silence.
No one spoke.
He turned toward Emma.
"Ms. Carter?"
Every head in the room turned to her.
Emma inhaled slowly.
"There is one issue."
She stood and walked toward the screen.
"The projected operating costs are underestimated."
Someone frowned.
"Our calculations were checked twice."
Emma nodded politely.
"I know."
She changed one figure.
Then another.
The entire projection shifted.
The room fell silent.
One of the senior managers whispered,
"... She's right."
Adrian watched her carefully.
Not with surprise.
With admiration.
He had chosen the right person.
After the meeting...
Employees gathered outside the conference room.
"You were amazing."
"Those calculations saved us."
Emma smiled politely.
"Thank you."
When everyone finally left...
She found Adrian still standing inside.
"You handled that well."
She lowered her eyes.
"I was just doing my job."
"So was I."
Emma looked confused.
"Choosing you."
For a brief moment...
Neither of them spoke.
Then Emma nodded politely and left.
Around noon...
Emma was reviewing spreadsheets when her phone vibrated.
A photo message.
Ella.
The little girl was grinning from ear to ear...
Covered in chocolate ice cream.
Emma couldn't help laughing.
A soft...
Genuine laugh.
At that exact moment...
Someone knocked on her open office door.
Emma looked up.
Adrian.
The smile disappeared almost instantly.
"I'm sorry."
"I didn't know you were busy."
Emma quickly put her phone away.
"I wasn't."
For a second...
Adrian said nothing.
He had only come to discuss the project.
Instead...
His mind lingered on something else.
He had just seen Emma laugh.
Not the polite smile she wore at work.
Not the careful expression she hid behind.
A real smile.
The same one...
He remembered from years ago.
"You look different when you smile."
The words escaped before Adrian could stop them.
Emma froze.
"So do you."
She answered quietly.
Adrian blinked.
"What?"
"You smile now."
A faint silence settled between them.
Neither had realized how much the other had changed.
Emma cleared her throat.
"Was there something you needed, Mr. Blackwood?"
Adrian finally remembered why he had come.
"Tomorrow's presentation."
"I'd like you to lead the financial section."
Emma nodded.
"I'll prepare it."
"Good."
He turned to leave.
Then stopped.
Without looking back, he said softly,
"... You should smile more often."
And walked away.
Emma stood there...
Unable to move.
She hated herself for one simple reason.
For just one second...
His words had made her heart race again.
That evening...
Emma arrived at the daycare.
Ella ran toward her immediately.
"Mommy!"
"I got a star today!"
"Really?"
Ella nodded proudly.
Ethan walked over more calmly.
"I got one too."
Emma laughed.
"My clever babies."
The teacher smiled.
"They've been talking about someone all day."
Emma frowned.
"Who?"
Ella answered without hesitation.
"Bookstore Mister!"
Emma closed her eyes.
"Oh, no..."
Ella hugged Emma's leg.
"I hope we see him again."
Emma gently stroked her daughter's hair.
In her heart...
She whispered a silent prayer.
"Please... don't let it happen too soon."
Because deep down...
She had a feeling.
The next meeting...
Would change everything.
- Writer
