Chapter 2 A Surprise Bouquet

Slightly out of breath, I pushed open the meeting room door and entered with Susan. Instantly, I felt the weight of everyone's gaze on me. However, there was one pair of eyes that stood out. His gaze was cold and unsmiling. The man I bumped into in front of the bathroom.

Sitting not far from the door, Susan motioned for me to join her. I could see the worry in her eyes, and I felt a pang of guilt. I quickly closed the door behind me and walked over to her.

"You're fifteen minutes late, Evelyn," she hissed, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I know, I know," I whispered back, wincing at her tone. "There was a ton of traffic."

"Well, hurry up and get your presentation ready. Mr. Sterling has been waiting."

"Got it."

I quickly set down my bag and pulled out my laptop, my heart pounding. I was about to start my presentation when a voice cut through the silence.

"You know, time is money."

I turned to Mr. Sterling standing there, his arms crossed over his chest. "You've already wasted enough of mine."

I met his gaze, refusing to back down. "With all due respect, Mr. Sterling," I said, my voice steady. "I know I'm late, and I apologize for that. But I promise you, my presentation will be worth your time."

For a moment, Mr. Sterling looked taken aback. Then, to my surprise, he smiled. "Alright," he said. "Let's see what you've got."

I returned his smile, albeit briefly, before returning to my laptop. I could feel Susan's anxiety next to me, but I pushed it aside. This was my moment, and I was going to make it count.

***

The room hung in a tense hush as the meeting concluded. Mr. Sterling held his position at the head of the table, his poker face intact. His secretary stood loyally by his side, both exuding an unyielding air. On the other side, Susan and I exchanged nervous looks, our jittery vibes starkly contrasting their composed demeanor.

Breaking the silence, Mr. Sterling's voice cut through the air. "I must say, Evelyn," he began, his tone measured, "I am impressed with what Tech Nova has designed."

Surprised, I blinked. "You are?" I questioned, hoping to lace my words.

He nodded, eyes locked onto mine. "Yes. I think this app has great potential. That's why Venture Corp has decided to invest in it."

"Thank you, Mr. Sterling," I said with gratitude. "We designed this app to help people manage their finances more easily, and we're glad that Venture Corp sees its potential."

Susan chimed in agreement. "Absolutely. We believe this app can truly make a difference. It's user-friendly with a bunch of handy features."

Leaning back, Mr. Sterling's gaze remained fixed on us. "I agree. This app could be a game-changer in the financial industry, revolutionizing how people manage their money."

Excitement surged within me. "That's exactly what we were hoping for," I enthused. "We want to make financial management accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or experience."

Mr. Sterling nodded. "I think you're on the right track. And Venture Corp is committed to supporting Tech Nova every step of the way."

Relief washed over me, and I couldn't help but grin wide. "That's... that's great news, Mr. Sterling. Thank you very much."

A simple nod was his response. "You've done well. Keep it up."

With that, he exited the room, his secretary trailing behind. As the door closed, I turned to Susan, the grin still firmly in place.

"We did it, Susan! We secured the investment!" I exclaimed, excitement pulsating through me.

Susan mirrored my grin, pride gleaming in her eyes. "We sure did, Evelyn. You did an amazing job."

I laughed, shaking my head. "I think I talked too much during the presentation, though," I admitted, a touch of self-consciousness creeping in.

Susan dismissed it with a headshake, her smile unwavering. "No, Evelyn. You were just being you. And that's exactly why we got this project. You know, Mr. Sterling is known to be a perfectionist. But your presentation melted him. I'm proud of you."

Surprised by her revelation about Mr. Sterling, I let it sink in. In the end, it didn't matter. Success was ours. The project was a go, with Dominic's company backing us. And that, at the moment, was all that counted.

After the meeting, I returned to my desk, the excitement from the successful presentation still coursing through my veins. The morning had been so hectic that I hadn't even had time for my usual cup of coffee, so I poured myself one and relished in the rich aroma.

Sipping on my coffee, I compiled a detailed report on the meeting. It was crucial to document everything while the details were still fresh in my mind. Immersed in my work, I ignored the courier until he appeared before my desk.

"Delivery for Evelyn," he announced, holding out a stunning bouquet of roses.

I blinked, taken aback. "For me?" I questioned, accepting the fragrant flowers from him. They were beautiful, and their sweet scent filled the air around me.

Curiosity led me to search for a card tucked amidst the blossoms. Pulling it out, I eagerly read the message. My heart skipped a beat as I absorbed the sender's name – Dominic Sterling.

Dominic Sterling? The same Dominic who had an air of perfectionism about him? The same Dominic who had been cold and distant during the meeting? I was utterly stunned.

Susan materialized at my desk at that moment, her eyes widening as she spotted the bouquet. "Are those from Mr. Starling?" she inquired, surprise evident.

I could only nod, still too shocked for words. Susan shook her head, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "Well, Evelyn," she remarked, "it seems like you've made quite the impression on him."

As the delivery man walked away, leaving me dumbfounded with the unexpected flowers, I couldn't help but wonder what this gesture from Dominic meant. The day had taken an unexpected turn, and the mysterious bouquet added another confusing layer.