One Fateful Night Marked by the CEO

Lila's Point of View

‎

‎I struggle to remain calm and straighten my dress with my subtly unsteady hands. The party's guest count includes people wearing fashionable clothes who are at the far end of the room, chatting and joking with one another.

The company gala night is a big night for everyone here, and I'm just the graphic designer, so all this flashing just gets on my nerves sometimes.

I put my dark hair in a bun, and the trial looks good overall, although a few hairs manage to escape through their wrappings and fall onto my face.

I swipe them across my forehead and try to calm myself. The lights are too bright, and the music is too loud; my chest trembles. The beat of my heart hastens.

I stand by the snack table, holding a glass of juice. My best friend, Mia, is across the room, waving at me. Her red curls bounce as she laughs with some coworkers. I smile back, but I feel out of place. I love drawing and making things look pretty for work, but parties like this make me nervous. I sip my juice, hoping no one notices me.

‎Next, Ethan is in front of me. Ethan, My Boss. He's the star power that drives the company's course. He's tall, with mysterious eyes that gaze into the soul and a head of dark hair. He's involved in a deep conversation of some sort with his friends and associates; his attire is superb, and his strength is very evident from the sound of his voice.

When he put the need to listen to good use, everybody–perhaps he–automatically followed their command. I've always been convinced that he's something else. But now, he is far beyond, just a star that I can't reach out to. I am thinking about placing myself lower, looking at the tips of my shoes, and remembering how small I am.

‎"Lila!" Mia's calling broke the noise around. I move towards her, still don't seem to understand. "How about us joining the crowds?" I decide to grab a hold of the party by the scruff of its neck.

‎Negative response. "I'm fine here," I assured Mia. "You better get to work!"

‎Pouty mask, but she doesn't seem angry because of my words. "But you're not having such a great time. Twirls aside and embraces the party. I watch her go with fervour in my eye." If only I was that strong!

‎At this point, the man's question catches me while I am trying to be more attentive. "Lila, it seems that Ethan needs help to make an already-held presentation. He's right. Although not too far from me, I felt weird as his eyes narrowed on mine. My heart skips a beat. I inhale his pleasant fragrance and tentatively feel him Like pine and firewood in a forest. It occurs to me that this camaraderie is unusual, as this time, neither of us betrayed our guard.‎

"Um, yeah, Mister Ethan," I mutter, barely able to hold back laughter. I dry my mouth and follow him. He stops me and introduces me to the rest of the crowd in the corner, and shows me a big screen where he will present. I numb my fingers with anxious thoughts. Why did he even choose me when there were other qualified people for the job?

‎

‎The remote is handed to me, and he says, "Can you check the slides to see if they are in order?"

‎I nod briskly, sliding through the PowerPoint of the Company's latest symposium I made. The pictures are bright and colourful, and they display our best work. I realize that he is close to me when he does so by my shoulder position. His arm leaves an extremely uncomfortable and cold sensation over mine. My heart is content, as though electric charges can be generated.

‎

‎"You did a good job, Lila," is what he said in a smooth tone. The tone of his voice was different from the usual chief boss tone. I look up to see that he's not beholding the screen, but with his eyes focused on me. My cheeks turn red. And can it be that he gazes at me like that?

‎

‎"Thanks," I mutter, clumsily firing the remote control. Fortunately, nothing broke, but the noise rattled my wrists. My head is low with embarrassment for such a careless mistake, but then I realize that Ethan is just as quick on his feet as any athlete. Honestly, the noise of those sparks together is louder than the ones in the orchestra. I find myself staring deep into his eyes and trying to drown myself in them, but when reality kicks in during a song, I help them.