Stellan Wilder stepped out of the sleek, black sedan, his tailored suit gleaming in the morning sun. He adjusted his cufflinks, a hint of smile playing on his lips.
The warm breeze carried the scent of street food and fresh coffee, and Stellan felt a sense of pride and ownership as he gazed out at the city.
As he walked towards the Pixeltech tower, a sea of suits and briefcases parted to let him through. Security personnel nodded respectfully, their faces stern but their eyes gleaming with a hint of admiration. "Good morning, sir," they chorused, their voices crisp and professional.
Stellan nodded in response, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a practiced air of authority. He strode into the lobby, the glass doors sliding open with a soft whoosh.
The receptionist, a poised young woman with a bright smile, greeted him with a warm smile "Good morning, Mr. Stellan!"
He smiled back, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Good morning, Matilda. How is the day shaping up?"
As he walked towards the elevator, his security detail fell into step behind him. The doors slid open on the top floor, and Stellan stepped out into the sleek, modern offices of Pixeltech. His manager, a no-nonsense woman with a keen eye for detail, looked up from her desk.
"Good morning, Mr. Stellan. You have a meeting with the marketing team in 30 minutes."
Stellan nodded, his eyes already scanning the reports on his desk. "Thanks, Esther. I'll review these and be ready."
Just then, Ziva walked into his office, her heels clicking on the marble floor. "Morning, Stellan. Big day ahead, I see."
Ziva's gaze flicked up, a hint of warmth in his eyes. "Morning, Ziva. Are you ready for the meeting?"
Stellan nodded at Ziva, his expression professional. "Let's review the agenda for the meeting. We've got a lot to discuss regarding the Thompson account."
Ziva nodded, her eyes scanning the documents on her tablet. "I have gone over the reports. I think we should focus on showcasing our innovative approach to digital marketing."
Stellan's secretary,Mary, walked in with a tray of coffee and pastries. "Good morning, Miss. Ziva. I've got your coffee just the way you like it."
Ziva smiled, taking a cup of coffee from the tray. "Thanks, Mary. You're a lifesaver."
As they reviewed the agenda, Stellan's phone buzzed with an important call from the company's financial advisor. "Excuse me, Ziva. I need to take this."
Ziva nodded, her focus already on the meeting ahead. "I'll start preparing the presentation. Let me know when you're ready."
As Stellan took the call, Ziva began reviewing the slides, her mind focused on the task at hand. The Thompson account was a major deal, and she was determined to make sure that Pixeltech landed it.
After a few minutes, Stellan wrapped up the call and turned his attention back to Ziva.
"Alright, let's get started. We've got a big meeting ahead of us."
Together, they walked into the conference room, their professional demeanor and focus on the task at hand, evident as they prepared to pitch in Pixeltech services to the Thompson team.
As they walked into the conference room, Ziva noticed a familiar face among the Thompson team - her ex-boyfriend, Bryan. Their eyes met, and for a moment, the air was charged with tension.
Stellan, oblivious to the sudden shift in atmosphere, extended his hand to greet the Thompson team. "Good morning, everyone. I'm Stellan, CEO of PixielTech. We're excited to present our proposal for your marketing needs."
Ziva forced a smile, her professional mask firmly in place. "Good morning. I'll be handling the creative aspects of the presentation."
As they began their pitch, Ziva's focus was laser-sharp, her professionalism never wavering despite the unexpected presence of her ex. But Stellan noticed something was off - Ziva's usual spark was missing, and her eyes seemed... guarded.
After the presentation, the Thompson team had questions, and Ziva fielded them with ease.
Bryan's eyes lingered on her, a hint of a challenge in his gaze.
The meeting concluded, and Stellan turned to Ziva. "Great job, Ziva. I think we nailed it."
Ziva smile was tight. "Thanks, Stellan. Let's just wait and see what they decide."
As they left the conference room, Stellan raised an eyebrow. "Everything okay? You seemed a bit... off during the presentation."
Ziva mask slipped for a second before she regained her composure. "I'm fine, Stellan. Just a bit of headache."
Stellan nodded, but his eyes lingered on her, a hint of concern in his gaze.
As the day went on, Ziva threw herself into work, determined to keep her focus on the task at hand. But she couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched, and every time she glanced up, she caught Bryan's eyes on her.
Stellan noticed the tension between them, his brow furrowed in concern. He made a mental note to ask Ziva about it later, but for now, he had to focus on the upcoming product launch.
At the end of the day, Ziva packed up her things and head out, eager to get home and clear her head. As she walked out of the office building, she felt a tap on her shoulder.
"Ziva," Bryan's voice was low and smooth.
She turned to face him, her expression neutral. "Bryan. What do you want?"
Bryan smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I think we need to talk. Can I buy you a drink?"
Ziva hesitated, unsure of what to say. Part of her wanted to tell him to leave her alone, but another part was curious about what he wanted.
Just as she was about to respond, a sleek black car pulled up beside them. The window rolled down, revealing Stellan's face.
"Ziva, need a ride home?" he asked, his eyes flicking to Bryan and back to her.
Ziva's face lit up with a smile. "Actually, Stellan, that would be great. Thanks."
Bryan's face fell, his expression slightly irritated. "Stellan, huh?"
Stellan's expression remained neutral. "Bryan.