As the clock struck 10:00 am, she stood in the bustling halls of LN1 Company, her eyes alight with determination and nerves fluttering like the wings of a trapped bird.
"Good morning, ma'am," she greeted Leena, the receptionist, her voice trembling slightly with nerves.
"Hi Eva," Leena replied with a warm smile. "Could you please go to Mr. Jack's cabin? It's on the left side of the 4th floor. He will brief you about the work. By the way, my name is Leena. All the best. Bye."
With a nod of gratitude, Eva set off in search of Mr. Jack's cabin, her heart pounding in her chest like the rhythm of a drum. She climbed the stairs to the 4th floor, her footsteps echoing in the empty hallway as she navigated the labyrinth of corridors.
Finally, she reached Jack's cabin, but to her dismay, he wasn't there. Undeterred, she approached one of the staff members nearby and inquired about his whereabouts. The staff member assured her that Jack would be back in five minutes, so Eva decided to wait patiently in the lobby.
As she waited, Eva couldn't help but overhear snippets of conversation from her colleagues nearby. They spoke of Jack with a mixture of admiration and apprehension, noting his formidable work ethic and unwavering dedication to his duties.
"Why hasn't Jack arrived yet?" one colleague whispered to another. "He may have an innocent face, but when it comes to work matters, his heart is as tough as steel. He never makes excuses, and he expects nothing less from his subordinates. After all, he climbed the ranks in just a year and was recently promoted to Chief Financial Officer. Today is his first day in that role, so the delay is rather unusual."
Eva listened intently, her curiosity piqued by their words. She couldn't help but wonder what kind of man Jack was, and what it would be like to work under his leadership.
Moments later, Eva's thoughts were interrupted by a hushed murmur from her colleagues as they caught sight of someone approaching. She turned to see a handsome young man striding confidently down the hallway, his phone pressed to his ear as he engaged in a conversation.
It was Jack.
Eva's heart skipped a beat as she watched him, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment at the memory of their encounter on the flight. She had hoped he wouldn't recognize her, but as he passed by, she caught his eye, and he offered her a polite nod of acknowledgment.
With a trembling hand, Eva pushed open the door to Jack's cabin and stepped inside, her pulse racing with anticipation.
"Good morning, sir," she greeted him, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jack glanced up from his phone, his expression unreadable as he took in her presence.
"Can I come in?" Eva asked nervously, shifting from foot to foot.
Jack nodded curtly, gesturing for her to take a seat.
"Yes, come in, Eva," he replied, his tone businesslike. "You're the new account trainee, correct? I need you to fill out this form and bring it to me. Then, check the details in this file and create a journal entry. You have 30 minutes. If you have any questions, ask the person next to you. Her name is Pinky. Then, inform me once this file is finalized."
Eva listened to all this for a moment, pondering why Jack never seemed to notice her or engage in small talk. Nevertheless, she continued with her work diligently, aiming to complete it within the 30-minute timeframe. But does Jack even care? Is he indifferent to me? Isn't there even a hint of acknowledgment towards me, the person she saw on the flight?
Lost in thought, Eva failed to notice Jack's approach until he was standing directly behind her, his voice breaking through her reverie.
"Aren't you listening to what I'm saying?" he asked, his tone stern.
Startled, Eva glanced up at him, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
"Yes, sir," she stammered. "I will complete this file and get back to you. Bye."
With that, she hurriedly gathered her belongings and made her way out of the cabin, her heart heavy with disappointment.
Pinky: Hey Eva, have you completed this file? Show it to me. I'll check it out. After that, you can hand it over to the boss?
Eva: Okay, ma'am.
(Eva focused on her work diligently. After some time, Lilly called her.)
Lilly: Hey Eva, did you finish your work? Is everything alright?
Eva: Yes, work is done, everything is fine, but there's something.I didn't tell you about a Jack from yesterday, he's my boss. But the way he behaves, it's as if he hasn't seen me. Is it possible he's avoiding me? Could it be that he's upset with me? Now, am I the one at fault, or is it just a misunderstanding? But with the same name, job, face, wouldn't it be impossible for me to be mistaken?
Lilly: Don't stress about it. Maybe he just forgot. Forget about it, focus on your work. Call me when you reach the room. Take care. Bye
Later that evening, as Eva walked home from the office, she found herself lost in thought, her mind still preoccupied with thoughts of Jack. She barely noticed the passing cars and bustling crowds, her thoughts consumed by the enigma of her boss's behavior.
But as she turned a corner, she was startled to see a familiar figure standing before her – it was Jack, leaning against a sleek black car with a casual air of confidence.
"Hey, Eva," he called out, his voice warm and friendly.
Eva's heart skipped a beat as she approached him, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment at the unexpected encounter.
"Hi, sir," she replied nervously, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jack smiled warmly, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he regarded her.
"I'm sorry, Eva, for acting like I don't know you at all in the office," he said, his tone apologetic.
Eva's eyes widened in surprise, her heart racing with confusion.
"Sir, did you remember me?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Jack nodded, his expression somber.
"At work, it's all about business," he explained. "I have to maintain a professional distance from my subordinates. It's nothing personal."
Eva felt a wave of relief wash over her at his words, her doubts and insecurities melting away in the warmth of his reassurance.
"Thank you, sir," she replied, her voice soft with gratitude.
Jack smiled warmly, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Where are you staying?" he asked, changing the subject.
Eva hesitated for a moment before replying, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
"I'm staying in Apartment 14," she admitted, feeling a sense of vulnerability at the admission.
Jack nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.
"I'm heading in that direction," he said casually. "I'll drop you off."
Eva's heart skipped a beat at the offer, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
"No, thanks," she replied hastily. "I'll go on my own."
But Jack shook his head, his expression determined.
"Nonsense," he said firmly. "I'm going the same way. I'll drop you off and then head home."
With a sense of gratitude, Eva climbed into the car beside Jack, her heart racing with excitement as they set off into the night.
As they drove through the bustling streets of London, Eva couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at the sights and sounds of the city. The neon lights of the shops and restaurants blurred past her, casting a warm glow over the darkened streets.
"So, do you have any friends at the apartment?" Jack asked, breaking the silence.
Eva shook her head, her voice tinged with sadness.
Eva: I'm all alone, nestled in a cozy corner. My dear friend Lili went yesterday. Classes will resume after 15 days.
Jack: Alright, how was work at the office today?
Eva: No issues at all.
Jack: Today I took charge as the Chief Financial Officer, so I might be engaged in other matters tomorrow. If you have any doubts, feel free to ask Pinky.
Jack: Did you have food?
Eva: No.
Jack: Is food available at the mess?
Eva: Yes, there is a mess at the apartment, but it closes at 8:00. Since it's already late, I'll have to get something from the nearby hotel.
Jack: You don't know any hotels around here? If I'm not mistaken, you haven't had food until now, I suppose. I'm feeling hungry too. Shall we eat something together?
Eva: Of course, thank you.
With a smile, Jack steered the car towards a nearby hotel, their laughter filling the air as they embarked on a new adventure together. And as they sat down to enjoy their meal, Eva couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement for the journey that lay ahead, knowing that with Jack by her side, anything was possible.