Is this destiny?

~ Chicago, K Industries HQ building ~

4:41 PM

In the main hallway…

Lilian is upset. She is enduring questionable looks from the receptionists for almost an hour. She is trying to look busy, but in the hallway where people are only coming and going without lingering, her constant presence is difficult to ignore. She is flipping through the same magazine for the fifth time already, and her gaze is not leaving that front entrance. So many people got in and out, but there are no traces of mysterious Miss Young. She can't help but wonder if she understood it wrongly. What if that woman waited during his meeting at 3 PM? No, no… she saw Jasper return after that meeting and there was no one in his office at that time. But, where is that mysterious woman?

Just at that time, she saw an elegant young woman enter through main entrance. Lilian's gaze didn't leave her.

Ellie's steps are even and gracious. She is tall but not too tall, thin waist and curves in all the right places are undeniable. And that sleeveless knee length flowy dress emphasizes her figure without revealing too much. Lilian can see that she has long and well-shaped legs. And why is that light blue dress shimmering in teal color? Paired up with nude high heeled shoes and a matching purse, Lilian has to admit that Ellie is a force to be reckoned with. Attention grabbing yet modest at the same time. And how can her face look so radiant and flawless when she does not seem to have any makeup on?

Lilian was lost in her thoughts, and she got pulled out of her daze only when she saw Faith approach Ellie.

"Miss Young?", Faith asked Ellie with a smile.

"Yes."

"I am Faith, CEO Kiani's secretary. Allow me to escort you to his office. This way, please…", Faith gestured toward elevators.

Lilian didn't dare to follow them right away, but a minute later she took the second elevator upstairs.

With how Ellie looks, Lilian is confident that even if she is not Jasper's girlfriend, Jasper will be interested in her. And Lilian can't get over the fact that Jasper told her no romance at work, yet he invited this woman.

~ CEO's office ~

4:49 PM

"CEO Kiani's meeting will be over at five." Faith informed Ellie. "Please make yourself comfortable. Can I offer you a beverage?"

"Water, please."

Faith was about to leave, but then she remembered that there are options: "Do you want that water to be room temperature or with ice? And we have lemon and berry flavored water as well."

Ellie thought how in about ten minutes she will see Jasper again, and suddenly felt that it's hot.

"Lemon water, with ice please."

Faith nodded. "I will be back in a minute."

She headed out and closed the doors behind her.

On the way to the break room, Faith was praising herself that this went smoothly and chanted internally: 'Don't mess this up… don't mess this up…'. Her boss told her to treat Miss Young well, and if she messes this up, after all the blunders that happened today… she will really lose her job.

Inside Jasper's office, Ellie glanced around, and she can tell that this office is definitely occupied by a male. Sharp and clean lines, black and gray colors with an occasional splash of white. Everything is so masculine that there is no way a woman had any input when they decorated this office.

Part of Ellie likes the thought that no woman touched this space.

Ellie walked toward the floor to ceiling windows and observed the city skyline. The view from Jasper's office on 55th floor is enviable. The concrete jungle in front looks almost-magical while being lit up with a descending late-afternoon sun. One side of high-rise buildings is colored in warm light orange hues, while the other one disappears in the shadows.

The door of the office opened, and Ellie assumed it's Faith with her water. One moment later, her heart started racing… what if it's not Faith, but Jasper? He said that he will try to finish his meeting earlier. Oh, God! She could really use that icy lemon water right now. But why is the person who entered not talking? Jasper would definitely greet her, and Faith will not just come in silently without announcing her presence…

Ellie turned around and faced an unknown young woman (Lilian) who was scrutinizing her.

"Excuse me, you are?", Ellie asked.

Lilian narrowed her eyes. "You are the new face here, and you are asking me who I am?"

Ellie raised her eyebrows in surprise.

Ellie can see that the woman has a badge attached on her waist, so she is an employee here. Why is she giving her such a rude treatment? As someone who is a guest of her CEO, Ellie should be treated politely. Right? She entered by herself, is she Jasper's assistant?

Lilian raised her chin confidently. "Not responding? Hmph! It seems that besides your looks you don't have much going on for you. Do you think that is enough to attract Jasper and keep him by your side?"

Ellie blinked few times and did her best not to show hurricane of emotions which is threatening to rip her from the inside.

Based on how Ellie didn't respond to an obvious provocation, Lilian assumed that Ellie is either not in a relationship with Jasper (yet), or they just started seeing each other. In any case, Ellie's silence means that she does not feel confident enough to claim him for herself. Well, she should make sure that Ellie does not reach that state.

"Don't think that you are someone special to Jasper because he invited you here. A woman like you can have her dreams, but that is where it will stay. So, you better give up right now. Do you think you have what he needs? How much do you know him? Let me tell you, when he places his thumb right there", she pointed at her jaw, "...he is about to kiss you. And when that hand moves lower…", Lilian giggled, obviously insinuating something further than kisses. "And how do I know that? Hmm…" Lilian rubbed her chin while her eyes went up and down Ellie. "Let's just say that Jasper is…"

The door of the office opened.

"Lily…", Faith almost dropped glass of icy lemon water from her hand. "Why are you here?"

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