The elevator chimed softly as it reached the twenty-fourth floor of Dynamite Group's headquarters. Nara stepped out, her heart steady but her palms faintly warm.
She told herself it was just another meeting. Another client. Another event.
But deep down, she knew better.
The last time she'd seen Keigh Dynamite, he'd been standing beneath the bright lights of a press stage, commanding a room full of reporters without raising his voice. He'd looked untouchable then, someone whose presence filled every corner without trying.
Now, walking through the sleek glass corridors, she wondered if he'd be the same.
His assistant met her at the entrance. "Ms. Lyn, welcome back. Mr. Dynamite will see you now."
She nodded politely and stepped inside.
The office was minimalistic, neutral tones, soft light, a city view that stretched endlessly. Behind the large desk sat Keigh, glancing through a report before setting it aside.
When he looked up, the air shifted.
"Ms. Lyn," he greeted, his tone even, calm, yet undeniably warm. "Good to see you again."
"Likewise, Mr. Dynamite."
For a heartbeat, silence lingered. Not the awkward kind, just charged. A recognition of something neither quite understood but both felt all the same.
He gestured toward the chair across from him. "Please, have a seat."
She sat, straightening her folder. "I've reviewed your proposal and drafted some initial concepts for the gala. The goal is to reflect your company's evolution while keeping the brand's minimal, modern aesthetic intact."
He listened attentively, fingers steepled beneath his chin. His focus was unwavering, though part of him wasn't just hearing her words, he was studying the way she carried herself. Steady. Composed. Graceful without trying to be.
When she paused, he spoke softly, "You always come prepared."
Nara blinked, caught off guard by the faint compliment. "It's part of the job."
"Not everyone treats it like you do."
The way he said it wasn't flattery, it was observation, quiet and sincere.
She cleared her throat, redirecting her attention to the notes. "We can discuss the color palette and stage design once your marketing team confirms attendance. For the theme, I was thinking something symbolic, growth, resilience, maybe renewal, since your company just completed an acquisition."
His gaze lingered for a second too long. "Renewal," he repeated. "That sounds right."
She looked up, and their eyes met. The moment stretched, the kind that seemed to ask questions neither could voice.
Then, as if remembering himself, Keigh nodded, leaning back slightly. "I trust your judgment. Proceed as you see fit. Send me the revised concept by Wednesday."
Nara nodded. "Of course."
He stood, signaling the end of the meeting, but as she gathered her documents, his voice softened. "You missed the dinner."
She froze for just a second before looking up. "I had another client out of town. I hope it went well."
"It did," he said, a faint smile touching his lips. "But it might've gone better with you there."
It wasn't a line, it didn't sound like one. Just an honest thought, escaping before he could filter it.
She met his gaze again, uncertain whether to smile or retreat behind professionalism. In the end, she simply said, "Maybe next time."
"Maybe," he echoed.
As she left the office, the click of the door behind her felt heavier than it should have.
Keigh watched her go, hands tucked into his pockets, expression unreadable.
He didn't chase moments. He built them. Controlled them. But this, whatever it was, didn't fit into any plan he'd ever made.
And as the elevator doors closed around her, he realized something he hadn't felt in years..... anticipation.