Monday came with its usual rush of emails, deadlines, and too much coffee.
Nara sat at her desk, scrolling through her inbox while mentally planning her week. The office buzzed with its typical morning chaos, phones ringing, printers humming, the faint smell of fresh stationery mixing with roasted coffee beans from the break room. It was routine. Safe. Predictable. Exactly what she needed after that strange weekend.
She hadn't told anyone about the man from the party. What would she even say? "I made eye contact with a stranger and can't stop thinking about him"? No! she had a reputation to keep. Nara Lyn was composed, professional, and unshakably focused.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on her cubicle wall. It was Mrs. Hellen, her department head, polished, confident, and always carrying an air of authority.
"Nara," she said with a smile that meant work. "We're handling event coordination for one of our major clients this week.... the Dynamite Group." Nara blinked. "The finance firm?"
"The very one," Mrs. Hellen confirmed. "They're holding a press conference for a major acquisition. Their PR team reached out this morning. You'll be liaising with their management department to finalize details."
"Understood," Nara said, forcing her tone to stay professional even as curiosity stirred. She'd heard of the Dynamite Group, everyone in finance had. The company was known for its bold investments and a CEO who was rumored to be as ruthless as he was brilliant. Still, work was work. She took her notepad and laptop, ready to schedule the client briefing.
---
Across the city, the atmosphere at Dynamite Group headquarters was entirely different. Sleek glass walls, minimalist décor, and an energy that hummed with ambition.
Keigh sat at the head of the table during the morning meeting, reviewing the acquisition terms with his executive team. His calm composure contrasted sharply with the excitement in the room.
"Press coverage starts Friday," his head of PR said. "We've already coordinated with the event management firm your partners recommended."
"Good," Keigh replied, signing off on the final documents. His tone was even, but his focus was sharp. "Let's make sure everything is clean. No loose ends." He leaned back in his chair, glancing briefly at the skyline outside. He'd built everything through strategy, precision, and relentless focus, never leaving room for distractions. At least, not until that night.
He frowned slightly at the memory. The woman in silver. Her laugh. Her eyes. He didn't even know her name. And yet, she'd stayed in his mind longer than he cared to admit.
---
By Wednesday, the coordination meeting was set. Nara arrived early at the conference hall, clipboard in hand, checking through logistics and press placements. Her professionalism took over, sharp, efficient, organized.
She was reviewing the seating chart when the doors opened. The sound of confident footsteps filled the room.
Her head lifted and time seemed to slow.
Keigh walked in with his management team, his presence as commanding as the headlines that followed him. His suit was crisp, his expression unreadable, but the moment his eyes found hers, that calm exterior flickered.Her breath caught.
For a heartbeat, neither of them spoke. The professional world around them faded, leaving behind the same silent pull from that night.
Mrs. Hellen broke the tension with her bright, polite tone. "Mr. Dynamite, this is Nara Lyn and she'll be managing coordination on our side."
Keigh extended his hand. "Miss Lyn," he said, voice steady but deep. "Nice to officially meet you."
Her fingers met his, and the connection was immediate, electric but composed. "Likewise, Mr. Dynamite."
Their handshake was brief, but the look they exchanged said more than either dared to admit.
Sometimes, fate didn't knock twice. Sometimes, it walked right into the room wearing a suit and a memory.