As the meeting wrapped up, Stellan handed out tasks and set a tight deadline for the project's completion. Ziva nodded, making a note on her pad, and Stellan could not help but notice her professionalism.
After the meeting, Ziva lingered for a moment, waiting for Stellan to finish up with his other executives. When they were alone, she spoke up, "Stellan, about the other day... I know your dad caught us off guard, but I wanted to clear the air."
Stellan looked up, his expression neutral. "There's nothing to clear, Ziva. Let's just focus on work, okay?"
Ziva's eyes searched his face, but Stellan kept his cool. "Okay, got it," she said finally, before turning to leave.
Stellan watched her go, his mind already back on the project. He had a feeling this was going to be a long week
Ziva expression is thoughtful. She wasn't sure what to make of Stellan reaction, but she respected his boundaries.
As she returned to her desk, her phone buzzed with a message from HR. "Reminder: CEO's office is looking for feedback on the new employee onboarding process. Please submit your thoughts by EOD."
Ziva rolled her eyes good-naturedly. Another task to add to her list. She began typing away, providing her input on the process and suggesting a few improvements.
Meanwhile, Stellan was dealing with his own set of problems. His father's words kept echoing in his mind, and he couldn't shake off the feeling that he was disappointing him.
Just as he was getting lost in thought, his secretary, Mary, knocked on the door. "Sir, your next meeting is here. The marketing team is waiting in the conference room."
Stellan nodded, straightening up. Time to focus on work.
Stellan stood up and headed to the conference room, Mary falling into step beside him. "Remind me to follow up with the design team about the branding campaign," he said quietly.
Mary nodded, making a note on her pad. "Already on your calendar, sir."
Stellan smiled wily, appreciating Mary's efficiency. He'd hired her six months ago, and she was already one of the best secretary he'd ever had.
As they entered the conference room, the marketing team launched into their presentation, showcasing sleek designs and catchy slogans. Stellan listened intently, asking pointed questions and offering feedback.
After the meeting, Stellan headed back to his office, feeling more energized. He loved days like this, where he have to dig into the creative side of the business.
As he settled back into his chair, his phone buzzed with a message from Ziva. "Hey, just wanted to send over the report we discussed earlier.
Take a look and let me know what you think."
Stellan's eyes narrowed as he opened the attachment. This was the report they'd been working on, the one that could land them a major client. He scanned through it quickly, his eyes widening in approval.
The report was top-notch, with solid data and compelling recommendations. Stellan was impressed, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in Ziva's work. She was a valuable asset to the team, and he was glad he'd brought her on board.
Stellan quickly typed out a response, praising Ziva on the good job she did. Well done and asking to discuss further. He hit send, and a minute later, Ziva was knocking on his door.
"Come in," Stellan called, looking up from his desk.
Ziva's walked in, a confident smile on her face. "Hey, what did you think of the report?"
Stellan leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "I think it's great. You've done an excellent job pulling everything together."
Ziva beamed, and for a moment, Stellan forgot about the whole situation with his dad. He was just focused on the work, and how good it felt to have a talented team behind him.
"Thanks, Stellan,"Ziva said, taking a seat. "I think we will have a real shot at landing this client."Stellan nodded, his eyes meeting hers. "I agree. Let's make it happen."
As they entered the upscale restaurant, the atmosphere was elegant, with soft lighting and the gentle hum of conversation. Stellan and Ziva were shown to their table, and just as they were being seated, a young female waiter, who seemed to be rushing, accidentally bumped into Stellan, causing his leg to knock against the table and him to stumble forward.
Ziva gasped, and Stellan instinctively grabbed the table to steady himself, pulling the young waiter with him. They collided, and for a moment, they were pressed together, Stellan's face inches from the young waiter.
The waiter apologized profusely, helping them steady themselves, and the maître d' rushed over to ensure they were okay.
The young waiter apologized, her eyes sparkling, and Stellan couldn't help but chuckle, his eyes meeting hers. "I think we're fine," he said, smiling, and the tension was broken.To Stellan's surprise, he didn't feel any awkwardness or discomfort from the sudden contact. He attributed it to his professionalism and moved on.As they perused the menu, Stellan couldn't help but think about the young waiter, he wasn't focused with the conversation Ziva was talking about her favorite foods. He mentally shook himself, focusing on the task at hand.
Their waiter came over to take their order, and Stellan expertly ordered a bottle of wine and their meals.
As they waited for their food, they chatted about everything from work to their favorite books, and Stellan found himself laughing more than he had in weeks. He was suprised why his body didn't react to the young waiter, this is where fate starts.