Chapter 2
1070 Words
A question only I could answer
I slowly lifted my eyes.
And halted.
The first thing I saw when I looked up was the CEO's expensive black suit standing in front of my desk. I looked upward until I met a pair of sharp, unreadable eyes.
The entire office became quiet.
Everyone watched Ethan without saying a word.
For a moment, it felt as though time itself had stopped.
I was so scared.
He stood there with my sketchbook in one hand, and he was flipping through the pages as if he was looking for something.
No one dared to make a sound.
Even Melissa, who loves talking and doesn't miss the opportunity to speak, stood there perfectly.
There was silence.
Then he looked at me.
He looked at me again.
Did you design these? He asked.
His voice wasn't loud.
It was deep
But it carried an authority that demanded an answer.
I quickly stood up from my chair.
Yes, sir.
He didn't respond immediately.
Instead, he continued to look at it and turned to another page.
I watched his expression carefully, searching for even the smallest clue.
But I couldn't understand his expression; he just stayed firm.
Was he disappointed?
Impressed?
Happy?
Nothing.
His face remained unreadable.
The only sound in the room was the rustling of paper as he continued examining each sketch.
I suddenly feel like there is every little flaw in my drawings.
Maybe I should have changed that design.
Maybe the colors were too bold.
Maybe the perspective wasn't good enough.
Maybe the colors don't match.
Maybe the marble flooring was too bright.
Perhaps the chandelier placement looked awkward.
I kept on doubting all that I did.
He stopped at one particular painting.
It was the hotel lobby concept I had stayed on late to finish the previous evening.
His eyes remained on it for several seconds.
He didn't lift his head, then he asked,
Why did you choose this layout and the foundation?
Is there something you really like about it?
The unexpected question caught me off guard.
I.
I hesitated.
My manager looked at me with a warning look, silently telling me to be careful.
The CEO finally looked at me.
I'm waiting, he said.
I was so nervous.
The client wanted something more beautiful and luxurious, sir.
He remained silent.
But luxury doesn't have to be like this.
He lifted his brows slightly.
Encouraged, I continued.
I wanted people to feel welcome and good the moment they walked in. That's why I opened the space in the direction instead of filling it with unnecessary decorations.
After I said that, no one spoke.
Not even a whisper.
I could feel it in the way eyes are fixed on me.
And also, the natural lighting makes the room feel alive, and it makes it more elegant, I added. And the indoor plants help soften the atmosphere and add beauty without taking away elegance.
It also creates a spacious environment for the client to feel more space when they enter, and it will make them feel more valued.
When I finished speaking, I wished I could disappear.
Had I said too much?
Maybe I should have simply answered yes or no.
The CEO looked at the sketch once more.
My heart pounded harder with every passing second.
I was so scared.
Finally
He closed the painting.
Wow
You noticed the client's emotional needs.
You noticed what he wanted.
His words surprised everyone.
Including me.
I've reviewed this painting three times.
He tapped the page with his finger.
You're the first designer to think beyond the brief. You are smart, and your design is superb.
Wow! This is impressive
I love this
Keep it up
Oh my God, I was so surprised and happy.
A wave of murmurs spread across the department.
Everyone was shocked because the CEO never complimented anyone. Melissa became jealous.
Did the CEO just compliment her? People said
She's only an intern
I don't believe this.
I lowered my head, unsure how to react.
Thank you, sir.
He handed the sketchbook back to me.
As I reached for it, our fingers touched for the briefest moment.
I quickly pulled my hand away.
He didn't notice.
Or perhaps he simply didn't react.
He took the other sketchbook that was on my table, the one Melissa gave to me, and he glanced through it before stopping at a completely different design.
This one.
He held it up.
Who worked on it?
I wanted to talk, but immediately Melissa stepped forward, a confident smile spreading across her face.
I did, Mr. Hill.
He looked at the drawing for a few seconds.
Then he looked at her.
You designed it alone?
Yes, sir.
I looked down at my desk.
I could not speak
That wasn't true, I muttered to myself.
Melissa had handed me that exact project first thing in the morning.
I had spent nearly three hours redesigning it while she chatted with the others, laughed and drank coffee.
She was claiming my work as her own.
Lily shifted uncomfortably beside me.
I knew she wanted to say something.
As she was about to talk, I touched her hands.
But she remained silent.
No one wanted to challenge a senior designer.
The CEO's eyes stayed on Melissa.
What inspired this design?
Melissa smiled.
I wanted something modern and elegant, sir.
He waited.
She said nothing else.
The smile on her face slowly began to fade.
It looked like she didn't know what to say.
He glanced down at the drawing again.
Then, without warning, he asked another question.
Why did you replace the enclosed reception area with an open-plan design?
Melissa blinked.
"I..."
“I…”
She stuttered
She looked at the sketch.
Then back at him.
I thought it looked better.
His expression didn't change.
And why are the seating arrangements positioned toward the eastern windows instead of the center?
Melissa opened her mouth.
She stared at the design.
But no answer came out; she was shocked and nervous.
A few designers exchanged uneasy glances.
Some said she didn't know.
Because she hadn't designed it.
I felt my pulse quicken.
The CEO slowly turned his head.
His eyes moved.
Away from Melissa.
And stopped on me.
For a moment, he just stared at me. Then he asked one question again.
Miss Claire.
Yes sir
My breath caught.
Would you mind answering that instead?
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