As Aleyne stepped off the bus and made her way towards the office, she could feel the tension in the air. The usually calm environment was buzzing with activity. Her colleagues were rushing around, making last-minute preparations to welcome the new CEO, Mr. Jack. The atmosphere was charged with a mixture of excitement and anxiety, and it made Aleyne’s heart pound even harder. She paused at the bottom of the office stairs, glancing up at the building that suddenly seemed more imposing than ever. As she climbed the steps, her thoughts swirled with everything she had heard about Mr. Jack. The rumors about his strict demeanor and high expectations made her stomach churn with dread. She knew today would be a test of her abilities and her patience.
When she finally entered the office, she noticed the way her colleagues were glancing at her, some with sneers, others with condescending smiles. It was something she had grown used to. Being from a middle-class family and an orphan had always set her apart. No matter how hard she worked or how kind she was, some couldn’t stand to see someone like her succeed. Despite her beauty, Aleyne was modest and unassuming, which only seemed to fuel the resentment of some of her coworkers. They saw her kindness as a weakness and her politeness as something to mock. The fact that she didn’t flaunt her looks or her work only made them more determined to undermine her. Today, she could feel their eyes on her more than ever. Whispers followed her as she walked through the office, and she caught bits and pieces of their gossip.
"Look at her, probably hoping to impress the new CEO. As if someone like her could ever stand out."
"She’s just going to mess up, like always. No way she can handle working directly with Mr. Jack."
Alleyne tried to block out their words, but they stung more than she would admit. She knew they didn’t like her, but today their disdain felt sharper, more pointed. They were waiting for her to fail, and the pressure of that expectation weighed heavily on her. Taking a deep breath, Aleyne reminded herself of Mr. Raj’s words on the bus. She had faced challenges before, and she had always managed to pull through. Today would be no different, even if it meant working under the scrutiny of both her colleagues and a demanding new boss. As she approached her desk, she could see the flurry of activity near the CEO’s office. Mr. Jack hadn’t arrived yet, but the tension in the air was palpable. Aleyne’s hands trembled slightly as she set down her bag, trying to calm herself before the inevitable meeting. She could only hope that Mr. Jack wasn’t as terrifying as everyone said. But deep down, she feared that the day ahead would be one of the hardest she had ever faced.
As Aleyne settled into her desk, trying to shake off the nerves that had been building all morning, she kept stealing glances towards the hallway leading to the CEO’s office. The anticipation was almost unbearable. Her colleagues were still abuzz with excitement, their whispered conversations filling the office with a low hum of speculation and gossip. Just as she was about to return to her work, the room suddenly fell silent. The door to the CEO’s office swung open, and in walked Mr. Jack Aleyne’s breath caught in her throat. The man standing before her was nothing like she had imagined. Instead of the stern, old-fashioned figure she had been dreading, Mr. Jack was young, strikingly handsome, and exuded an energy that seemed to fill the entire room. His tailored suit fit him perfectly, highlighting his athletic build, and his presence commanded attention without a word. As he moved through the office, greeting people with a firm handshake and a confident smile, Aleyne couldn’t help but notice how effortlessly he carried himself. There was something magnetic about him, something that made her heart race for reasons entirely different from her earlier anxiety.
Finally, Mr. Jack approached Aleyne’s desk. She quickly stood up, feeling her palms grow clammy as he drew nearer. His sharp blue eyes met hers, and for a moment, it felt as though the rest of the world faded away. Mr. Jack: smiling warmly "You must be Aleyne. I’ve heard a lot about you."
Aleyne: nervously "Y-yes, sir. It’s a pleasure to meet you."
Mr. Jack: tilts his head slightly, observing her "No need to be so formal. I’m Jack. I prefer to keep things straightforward, especially with those I’ll be working closely with."
Aleyne: blushing slightly "Of course… Jack. I’ll do my best to assist you."
Jack: with a soft chuckle "I’m sure you will. I’ve read your file, and your dedication is impressive. It’s rare to find someone so committed and thorough."
Aleyne: surprised by the compliment "Thank you… I wasn’t expecting that."
Jack: his gaze softening "Why not? You’ve put in a lot of hard work. I appreciate that in my team. But I’ve also heard that you’re kind and thoughtful, qualities that are just as important."
Aleyne: feeling her cheeks warm "I just try to do what’s right."
Jack: smiling, his voice lowering slightly "That’s a good philosophy. And I think we’ll get along just fine."
There was a brief pause, and Aleyne could feel the intensity of his gaze. It was as though he could see right through the layers of nervousness she was trying to hide, and yet, there was a kindness in his eyes that put her at ease. Jack: gently "I know there’s a lot of talk about me being strict or demanding. I do expect high standards, but I’m not here to make life difficult. I believe in working together to bring out the best in everyone. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to come to me."
Aleyne: nodding, feeling a strange sense of comfort "Thank you, Jack. I’ll keep that in mind."
Jack: with a hint of playfulness in his tone "Good. Now, how about we start fresh? I’m looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish together."
As Jack moved on to greet the next person, Aleyne felt a warmth spread through her that had nothing to do with the temperature of the room. There was something undeniably charismatic about him, something that made her feel both nervous and excited at the same time. The encounter had left her feeling a mix of emotions—relief, curiosity, and an unexpected flutter in her chest. The rumors about him being a perfectionist were likely true, but there was more to him than the stories had suggested. And as she watched him interact with her colleagues, she realized that today might not be as daunting as she had feared. It might just be the beginning of something entirely unexpected—something that could change her life in ways she had never imagined.
to be continued in Chapter 4...
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