Auren twirled a fork in her hand, absentmindedly poking at the food on her plate. The cafeteria was lively—employees discussed projects, some were laughing, others were hurriedly checking emails on their phones. She sat across from her friend, barely paying attention to the conversations around her.
"So, what have you decided?" Iris asked, propping her chin on her hand. "Will you stay or take one of those amazing offers?"
Auren looked up at her but only shrugged instead of answering.
"I don't know," she admitted honestly. "I thought it would be obvious by now."
Her friend frowned.
"You do realize opportunities like this don't come twice, right? Working in one of the top companies, a high salary, your own office… Isn't that a dream?"
Auren smiled faintly.
"It does sound perfect, but…"
She trailed off, unsure how to put her thoughts into words. For some reason, despite all the advantages, the decision wasn't coming as easily as she'd expected.
Iris narrowed her eyes, carefully studying Auren's expression.
"But?" she prompted, nudging her toward an answer.
Auren sighed, setting her fork down on the plate.
"But I'm not sure I want to leave."
Her friend raised her eyebrows.
"Wait… you're serious?"
Auren gave a slight nod.
"Logically, leaving is the most sensible choice. But for some reason, when I imagine myself somewhere else, I feel uncomfortable. Like I'd be losing something important."
Her friend tilted her head, as if analyzing her words.
"Hm… Maybe you're just used to it here? Or…"—she suddenly gave a sly smile—"is this about your boss?"
Auren rolled her eyes, though a faint shadow flickered in her gaze.
"What does he have to do with it?"
"Oh, come on, Auren Laurent," her friend drawled with a grin. "You don't think I haven't noticed? You look at him differently, and he…"
Auren's head snapped up.
"He what?"
Her friend shrugged.
"I don't know how to explain it… but there's something in the way you two interact. Does Kael act like that with anyone else?"
Auren stayed silent. She herself had often caught the thought that her interactions with Kael were far from standard workplace relations.
"Just think it through carefully," her friend continued. "You should choose not just based on benefits, but based on where you actually want to be."
Auren was about to respond, but fell silent when she heard someone whispering at the next table.
"Did you hear? Laurent got an offer from the competition."
"Yeah, they say it's with a crazy salary and great perks."
"You think she'll leave?"
"If I were her, I'd have signed already."
Auren slowly set down her fork, feeling a strange sensation rising inside her. Her friend noticed it too and gave her a cautious look.
"Rumors sure spread fast…" she murmured, tapping her finger thoughtfully on the table.
"I haven't even given them an answer," Auren said quietly, staring at her plate.
"Then someone decided for you."
Auren glanced toward the colleagues at the neighboring table. They clearly had no idea she could hear them and kept discussing her potential departure.
"Maybe you should clear things up?" her friend suggested.
Auren frowned slightly, bringing her glass of water to her lips.
"Let them talk. I haven't decided yet, but I am curious to see how others will react."
***
Auren returned to the reception after lunch, trying to shake off the thoughts that had been occupying her mind for far too long. She needed to keep herself busy so they wouldn't take over again. Scanning her workspace, she decided to sort through the stack of documents that had piled up over the last few days since she started receiving job offers.
She began with her own papers—carefully filing them into folders, setting aside unnecessary sheets for disposal, and tidying her desk. The process turned out to be a little calming, but only for a while.
When she was done, Auren glanced toward the slightly open door of Kael's office and noticed that it was even messier in there.
Stacks of documents—some clearly already reviewed—lay in chaotic piles, with a few sheets pushed dangerously close to the edge of the desk, as if they had been flipped through recently and left there. Auren frowned. It seemed to her that lately, his office had been descending further into chaos, and honestly, that was strange. If she'd studied his character well, Kael would never have allowed that.
She stepped closer, peeking inside. It was obvious the director hadn't had time to sort things out in the morning—he had been busy receiving guests from across the border. Works like a driven horse… Auren thought, absentmindedly biting her lip.
She decided not to leave Kael's office in such a state. After all, if she had already started tidying up, why not finish the job? Stepping up to his desk, she began carefully arranging the folders, sorting the documents by category.
She quickly dealt with the unneeded papers, stacking them separately, and organized the rest so Kael could find them more easily. But when she reached for another folder, her eyes fell on one document that immediately caught her interest.
It was a new project that hadn't yet been assigned to a specific manager. Auren picked it up without thinking, skimming through the details—and instantly realized it was promising. An interesting concept, an unconventional approach, huge potential for growth… Her eyebrows rose. This was the kind of project they definitely wouldn't hand to just anyone.
She flipped to the next page, reading more closely. She became so absorbed in the project that she completely forgot about the time and about where she was. Her fingers slowly turned the pages, her gaze moving intently over the lines, and ideas were already forming in her mind.
She didn't even notice the office door open silently or the footsteps approaching.
"Interesting project, isn't it?" a low voice murmured right by her ear.
Auren flinched but quickly regained her composure. Kael's warm breath brushed her neck, and for a moment, it felt like goosebumps ran over her skin. She turned slowly, realizing how close he was standing.
She raised an eyebrow slightly but quickly controlled herself and answered evenly, "Yes, very."
Kael nodded, his gaze flicking to the documents in her hands before returning to her.
"I was planning to assign it to you," he said without looking away. "But if you're still thinking about leaving, maybe I shouldn't."
His voice held no accusation, just a cool statement of fact. Still, Auren felt something unpleasant tighten in her chest.
She lifted her eyes from the document, meeting his gaze with a slight squint. Her voice was steady, but there was a faint edge of challenge in it.
"Have I already made a decision?"
Kael smirked, leaning one hand casually on the edge of the desk, and replied with deliberate satisfaction, "Rumor says otherwise."
Auren slowly lowered her gaze back to the papers. It annoyed her that someone had already decided for her when she herself hadn't reached a final conclusion yet.
Kael didn't let the moment slip away. Leaning a little closer, he added calmly, "If you're still thinking, maybe you should see if this project is worth staying for."
He looked at her intently but without pressure, as if simply offering an option. But the undertone in his voice was clear. It was a challenge, and Auren understood that perfectly.
She hesitated, her eyes moving over the document again. Was it worth it?
When Auren didn't answer right away, Kael reached out and easily took the folder from her hand, his fingers brushing hers just a little longer than necessary.
"You haven't decided yet, have you?" His voice was low, with a faint smirk, and Auren knew he wasn't only talking about the project.
She didn't look away—she slowly lifted her chin, allowing herself a fleeting, knowing smile.
"Let's see if this project is really worth my attention," she said, hearing the double meaning in her own words.
Kael narrowed his eyes, clearly catching her game. He closed the distance between them to a dangerous proximity.
"I'd say it's perfect for you," he murmured, leaning slightly closer. "But the question is… can you handle it?"
Auren didn't flinch. Her lips parted slightly, as if in thought, but her eyes sparked with challenge.
"Are you doubting my abilities, boss?"
Kael smirked and, without breaking eye contact, slowly placed the folder back on the desk in front of her.
"Then prove me wrong."
Auren pretended to think it over, then slowly took the folder back, their fingers brushing again. This time, she didn't rush to break the contact either. Then she smoothly turned, as if to leave—but made sure to pass him just a little too closely. Kael smiled faintly and didn't stop her this time.
She didn't leave entirely but stepped a few paces away, keeping a proper distance between them. Then she glanced back over her shoulder, eyebrow raised, with the faintest smirk.
"I have to admit, nice move, boss," she said in a slightly mocking tone. "Using an interesting project to try to keep me."
Kael tilted his head, watching her with a lazy, almost satisfied expression.
"Who said it's for you?" His lips curved slightly. "Maybe I'm just making sure the project ends up in the right hands."
Auren snorted, crossing her arms.
"Right. A coincidence, huh?"
Kael took a step closer, closing the gap again.
"If that's what you want to think…" He locked eyes with her, unblinking. "But you are curious, aren't you?"
Auren only shook her head with a smirk.
"Maybe. But you know what, boss?" She leaned in slightly and whispered, barely moving her lips. "You'll have to try harder if you want to keep me interested."
She turned gracefully and headed for the exit—for real this time—leaving Kael alone with his thoughts and the faint sting of a challenge he had no intention of ignoring.
Auren had barely returned to the reception and sat down at her desk when her phone buzzed with a new email. She glanced at the screen and raised an eyebrow at the sender.
From: Boss Dantes
Subject: Final Test
"Maybe you should try working on the analysis? This is your final test. Remember I told you you hadn't passed my evaluation completely?"
Auren bit her lip slightly, feeling a slow smile spread at the corners of her mouth. He really wasn't giving up. She was about to close the email when another short message popped up.
"Prove you're worthy of more."
She shook her head with a smirk. Well, if he wanted to play, she'd play.
Less than a minute later, another email landed in her inbox. She had already expected it and opened it without hesitation.
From: Boss Dantes
Subject: Assignment
"Attaching the project. Do a full analysis, find weak points, suggest optimization paths. You have two days. If you succeed—we'll talk."
Auren raised an eyebrow, lightly biting her cheek. Two days? He really meant to test her. Her gaze shifted to the attached file, then back to the short but weighty message.
"Let's see how good you really are, Laurent."
Auren chuckled, her fingers already moving to download the file.
"Alright, boss. Challenge accepted."
Kael leaned back in his chair, watching the "Sent" status glow on his screen. A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"You won't be able to resist, Auren. Time to admit it."
He knew how she worked—how her eyes lit up when she was given a difficult task, how she dove into the process headfirst, losing track of time. Auren was a perfectionist. If she took on this analysis, she wouldn't rest until she'd squeezed every bit of potential out of the project.
Kael tilted his head slightly, thinking. This wasn't just a test. He knew that by involving her in the work—by making her feel her importance in the company—he was creating something she wouldn't want to give up. He wouldn't beg her to stay. She would make the choice herself, and it would be the choice to remain. Kael had never lost a game before.
***
A day later, Kael stretched in his chair, feeling the tension in his shoulders after a long day. The workday was coming to an end, but he knew there were still employees in the office finishing up their tasks. Turning off his computer, he stood, adjusted the cuffs of his shirt, and headed toward the exit.
When he stepped into the reception area, his pace slowed.
Auren was sitting at her desk, leaning over the screen with intense focus. Her fingers moved deftly over the keyboard, her gaze darting across documents, and her brows knitted slightly in concentration. He knew that look—complete immersion in the process.
"Gotcha," he thought.
Kael smirked, folding his arms across his chest. He could have just left and spared her the interruption. But that would be too boring. Instead, he leaned against the doorframe.
"I see you've decided to take my test," his voice was low, with a hint of satisfaction.
Auren, noticing him, didn't immediately look away from the screen. But then, realizing who was standing there, she slowly tore her gaze from the monitor and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Has the CEO himself come to check on my progress?" Her tone carried a trace of mockery.
Kael walked closer, leaning down over her desk, placing his palms on the surface.
"More like, I wanted to see how far you'd go, since you seem so absorbed."
He studied her intently, waiting for a reaction. Auren didn't look away. On the contrary, there was a glint of challenge in her eyes. She glanced briefly at the clock—five more minutes until the workday ended.
"You think I can't handle it?"
Kael raised an eyebrow slightly, as if assessing her confidence, then leaned a little closer.
"I think you'll have trouble stopping."
He noticed the faint twitch of a smile at the corners of her lips.
Straightening up but keeping his gaze fixed on her, Kael suddenly asked, "Did you bring an umbrella today? Or are you testing your luck again like before?"
Auren blinked, clearly not expecting the question.
"And why would that matter?" she asked, one brow arched, though there was a hint of wariness in her voice.
"Not much," he replied lazily with a shrug. "The forecast says it's going to rain. I wouldn't want you to get soaked."
Auren studied him carefully, as if trying to decipher a hidden meaning behind his words. It was hard to tell whether he was teasing her or if there was something more.
"Thanks for the concern, but I have an umbrella today." She tilted her head slightly, letting him know he wouldn't catch her off guard this time.
Kael's gaze lingered on her for a moment, as if he was weighing something, but then he simply nodded.
"Good. Then you'll be fine on your own."
With that, he turned and headed toward the exit.
After several hours of work, she decided to take a short break. Her mind was still occupied with offers from various companies, and to finally make a decision, she decided to research the one that had made it to the final round of her choices alongside Kael's firm.
She opened a search engine and began reading the latest news. Several articles in a row described the company's achievements, but the deeper Auren dug, the more uneasy she felt. In business circles, there was increasing talk of a full-blown power struggle within the company.
Two heirs—the sons of the current president—were locked in a fierce battle for control of the corporation. Each was trying to prove he deserved to lead, using any means necessary: bribery, setups, leaking information to competitors, even firing dissenting employees. This had become the norm inside the company.
Auren stumbled upon an interview with a former manager, who said the situation was deteriorating by the day. The atmosphere had grown tense, employees were split into two opposing camps, projects were failing, and investors were losing confidence.
She frowned, replaying everything she had just learned in her mind. Until now, the offer had seemed the most promising of them all. But now? To be caught in the middle of a power struggle where everyone thought only of their own gain? Auren sighed heavily and leaned back in her chair.
In contrast, Kael's company offered stability. She had already adapted here, gotten to know the team, and even… grown interested in the work, though she hadn't planned to stay. And then there was him—her Director—constantly testing her, pushing her limits, but also challenging her to grow and even sparking a sense of excitement.
That thought became decisive for her. Auren shut down her computer, closed her eyes, and for a few seconds simply enjoyed the quiet. It seemed the choice had been made. The news had made it easier, after a week of pounding headaches.