Love in the boardroom

day M

d arrived with both promise and a sense of unease. The chess match she had agreed to play with Derek was quickly approaching, and it weighed on

ntelligent, and strangely magnetic. Their interactions were always laced with playful banter, but there was a tension in the air that neither of them ackn

out feeling too forced. After several moments of indecision, she chose a sleek navy dress that hugged her curves just enough to make a statement, but remained professional. The dress w

rvous excitement building inside her. She had faced tougher challenges before-board

-

fé Enc

e. It was busy, with people chatting animatedly over their morning coffee, the hum of conversation blending with

laxed, casual in dark jeans and a fitted shirt, exuding an effortless charm that made her pulse quicken. He was abso

ir with an easy grace. "Glad you could make

rves rising in her chest. "Wo

, electric. She felt both excited and uncertain, cau

ed through small talk. The typical pleasantries, the "how's work going" and "did you have a good week" que

piece of advice for a chess rookie?" he

Always anticipate your opponent's next move," she said conf

impressed. "Not bad. Yo

rd. They continued to chat about their personal lives-what movies they'd seen, books they'd read, their favorite spots i

t up the chessboard Derek had brought. The pieces clicked together, the soft s

-

ame B

qualities she valued in herself and admired in others. She studied the board carefully, trying to predict Derek's moves while plotting her own. The café around t

and often came with a playful warning. "Not so fast, Elena! I won't

ck, leaning closer to the board. The proximity was intentional-she needed to

y, her confidence grew. She felt a sense of exhilaration every time she outmaneuvered him, the playful banter adding to the t

ed. "I'm not worried yet. Let's see how

t took her by surprise. In a flash, he seized her queen, leaving he

ng, and it was a blow to her pride. "Alright, you win this round," she admitted

ed with himself. "I wouldn't

-

ensio

mething more-something deeper-lingering beneath the surface. Elena couldn't ignore the way Derek's eyes held h

the board but about something far more complicated-something neither of them was ready to confront. The tension was palpable, thick in t

laugh, leaning back in his chair. "Next time, it'll be my boardroom,

anytime," she replied, her pulse quickening. The words felt loaded, like a pr

-

Fare

the competition, the excitement of being in Derek's presence, and the quiet stirrings of something more. She couldn

t longer than necessary, and Elena's heart raced in her chest. The connection was undeniable,

s they walked together, Derek's hand brushed against hers once more, sending a jolt of electr

nce. "I'll be ready for that next cha

is eye. "I'm looking forward to it

hake the feeling that Derek was hiding something-something more than just the playful rivalry they had s

r mind, but then, just as she was about to round the corn

le

rek was standing in front of the café, his hands shoved

ing," he said, his t

urrowed. "What

s. For a moment, the noise of the city around them seemed

voice barely above a whi

eant, to demand an explanation, but before she could speak, Dere

frozen, the words e

't be

and for the first time, she wondered if the connection