Emilia got out of her car, as she brushed imaginary speck of dust off her trouser, before heading towards the company entrance. Around her, other employees were rushing inside as if their life depended on it.
Midway through the hallway, she spotted Lyra hurrying towards her.
"Emilia", lyra exclaimed, slightly out of breath. Then, placing her palm on Emilia's forehead, she frowned. "Oh my GOD, you're burning up. Don't tell me, you're still worried about the own incident. You were the one that said nothing was going to happen".
Emilia touched her own forehead, realizing Lyra was right. She let out a small smile, "omega stuff", she joked.
Lyra chuckled, shaking her head, They both knew how it was being an omega. Together they made their way to the hall.
By the time they entered, most of the employees were already seated. The room fell silent as they found their spots. On the podium stood the manager, Mr Smith, exuding his usual composed confidence. He was dressed sharply in a gray suit, his jet–black hair slicked neatly to the side, giving him an effortlessly graceful look.
"Good morning, everyone", Mr smith began slowly, his voice heavy with restraint. "Today at 7 a.m. we lost a gentle and peaceful soul— Mr. Hayes.
The entire hall room fell in silent, as the air thickened with grief as every employee lowered their head in mourning. Mr. Smith exhaled deeply before continuing.
"It was such an unexpected incident. none of us saw this coming", he said, his tone wavering for a moment before regaining composure. "But Mr.hayes has always wanted hayes oil and gas to stand strong no matter the circumstances. We will all put hard effort to make hayes remain the most
Powerful company in Italy. And today we are honoured to welcome Mr. Ratchford Hayes's first son — Mr. Leonardo hayes – who is willing to take the company under his care and serve as our new CEO".
A murmur rippled through the hall. Confusion, surprise and curiosity buzzed among the employees. Lyra leaned closer to Emilia. "What's going on", she whispered.
"I...I don't know either", she replied softly, her brows furrowing.
"Ladies and gentlemen", Mr. Smith said gesturing towards the blue double doors. "Please welcome Mr. Leonardo hayes".
The door swung open and three men in black suit stepped in first – tall, solid, unmistakably bodyguard. But it was the man who followed behind them who drew every gaze in the hall.
Leonardo walked in with effortless authority. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, his crisp white shirt slightly unbuttoned at the collar, revealing the film outline of his chest.
—golden blonde caught the light as he moved. His features were sculpted that seemed almost unreal – high cheekbones, a strong defined jawline and lips that rarely curved into a smile.
But it was his eyes that truly commanded attention, cold piercing blue, like shards of winter ice. They held a depth that was both mesmerizing and unnerving, as if they could see through the truth you tried to hide.
Those eyes rarely softened, they carried a chill of distance, a kind of restrainted power that hinted at stories buried beneath control and silence.
Emilia's breath hicthed. she couldn't look away. Every step he took seemed to pull her attention deeper into him. "Why can't I look away? She wondered, feeling her pulse quicken.
"Oh my God... He's so handsome", lyra whispered under her breath, unable to contain herself.
Emilia gave a small laugh, though her eyes never left Leonardo. "I didn't know Mr. Hayes could make something this perfect", lyra teased softly, nudging her arm.
Emilia smile faded, when she noticed Leonardo looking directly at her. His piercing, cold eyes locked on her as though he was studying her features. There was something dangerous about the way he looked at her, something that pulled her closer even as it warned her to run.
A heat rose in her chest, soft and confusing with the chill of his stare. In that single look she felt seen, exposed as though his eyes has searched through the hall and decided that she was the only one worth looking at. Those eyes so distant and unreadable, felt different when they looked at her.