The morning passed in a blur of quiet footsteps, the soft tapping of keyboards, and the subtle hum of the office outside their shared space. Selena had only just settled into her corner desk when a gentle knock came on Jace's office door.
"Come in," Jace said without looking up, his deep voice steady.
Clara stepped inside with her usual composed stride. Her heels clicked lightly against the polished floor as she approached Jace's desk. But before she reached him, she turned her head and gave Selena a warm smile.
"Good morning, Miss Ward."
Selena returned the smile politely. "Good morning, Clara."
Clara continued to Jace's desk. "Good morning, President Arinston," she greeted, placing a neat stack of papers on the desk.
Jace nodded. "Morning."
"These are the documents that need your signature today." She tapped the folder lightly. "And the meeting will begin in thirty minutes."
"Got it," Jace replied without looking up as he flipped open the first document.
Clara bowed her head respectfully before stepping back. "I'll be outside if you need anything."
Then she exited the office quietly.
For the next thirty minutes, silence settled comfortably between Selena and Jace. Papers slid across Jace's desk as he reviewed them with precision, signing what was necessary and annotating what needed adjustments. On the other side of the room, Selena sorted files, typed reports, and printed documents, fully immersed in her tasks.
Occasionally, she felt Jace's gaze drift toward her, but she kept her eyes down, determined not to appear flustered.
When the clock hit the half-hour mark, Jace stood, buttoning his suit jacket.
"I'm heading to the conference room," he said.
Selena nodded. "Okay."
He glanced at her for a second longer than necessary, then left.
Inside the conference room, the department heads were already seated. The air buzzed with anticipation. Today's meeting was focused on the company's biggest upcoming project—the new cosmetic line they planned to launch before the year ended.
Jace took his seat at the head of the long table, his presence instantly tightening the room's atmosphere. He nodded for the meeting to begin.
The head of HR stood and began presenting.
"As everyone knows, we've finalized Melissa Anderson as the ambassador for this campaign. The shoot will be taking place outdoors, in an open field. The theme will be centered around softness, purity, and natural beauty. Freshness and innocence will be the core aesthetic."
Several nodded approvingly.
"The shoot is scheduled for next week," HR continued. "We are finalizing the set design, transportation, and wardrobe arrangements. We'll send out the complete schedule within the next two days."
Jace listened with sharp focus. This campaign mattered—it was the company's year-end highlight, and he intended for it to be perfect.
Various department heads contributed input: logistics, marketing, finance, product development. Jace's responses were brief but decisive, each instruction clear and firm.
After an hour, the meeting wrapped up.
Jace left the conference room and returned to his office, passing by employees who bowed respectfully as he walked. His expression didn't change—cool, poised, unreadable—but his mind occasionally drifted back to the small woman sitting quietly in his office.
When he pushed open the door, Selena was right where he left her, organizing a stack of files. She looked up, offering a tiny smile before returning to her work.
Something about that simple gesture softened his gaze for a moment.
He sat at his desk again and resumed working.
When lunch hour approached, Jace pressed the intercom button.
"Clara," he said. "Order lunch for both Selena and me. Same restaurant as yesterday."
"Yes, sir," Clara replied from outside.
Selena blinked in surprise when Clara later entered with two neatly packed meals in elegant black boxes.
"President Arinston ordered lunch," Clara said, setting the boxes down.
"Oh… thank you," Selena replied.
Clara smiled. "Please enjoy." She left afterward.
Selena sat quietly, unfolding her food.
Jollof rice with salad again. She bit her lip, wondering if Jace remembered her preference from the night before.
Meanwhile, Jace opened his own meal—chicken curry sauce with white rice.
They ate in silence, the only sound being the gentle clink of utensils. But even the silence didn't feel awkward… just new.
Selena found herself stealing discreet glances at him, wondering how he could look so composed even while eating. Jace, on the other hand, pretended not to notice the way she occasionally peeked at him—but he noticed every time.
When they finished, both returned to their separate tasks.
Selena worked tirelessly, sorting documents, printing, organizing, all while answering the occasional question Jace directed her way.
Jace made sure everything she needed was within reach—he had already adjusted the printer, set up her workspace, and placed extra office supplies on her desk before work began. Selena didn't comment on it, but she noticed every detail. And it warmed her.
The hours passed with the steady rhythm of work, and by late afternoon, exhaustion crept in for both of them.
At last, the day came to an end.
Jace shut down his computer and stood.
"Let's go home," he said simply.
Selena nodded, gathering her belongings.
As they walked side by side toward the elevator, the office lights glowed warmly behind them, casting long shadows on the polished floor. Workers who passed bowed politely, but Selena didn't miss the surprised looks they gave her—and the way some whispered quietly after they walked by.
She kept her face calm, pretending she didn't notice.
Once inside the elevator, Jace stood beside her—not close enough to crowd her, but close enough that she could feel his presence. Her heartbeat picked up, but she kept her expression neutral, eyes fixed forward.
When they reached the parking garage and got into the car, Selena thanked him softly.
Jace only nodded, but his grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly.
Throughout the drive, Selena stared out the passenger-side window, watching buildings blur by. She felt surprisingly calm today… not completely at ease, but no longer overwhelmed.
Jace glanced at her from time to time, as if trying to read her thoughts, but she didn't notice.
And so, in quiet harmony, they drove home—two people who were once strangers, now slowly orbiting closer, their worlds beginning to blend in subtle, unspoken ways.