Chapter 5 Options 1.2

It had been an hour and a half since the meeting with the finance department began to discuss the budget approval for her proposed ad campaign. But somehow, Emma Dee found herself distracted, daydreaming about the man scrutinizing her proposal, hunting for loopholes to cut the budget in half. That man was Patrick, a manager in the Finance Department.

Emma couldn't help but stare at him, lost in her thoughts. Patrick, with his long lashes, slim build, and almond-shaped eyes, bore a striking resemblance to a Korean actor. If not for the ring on his finger screaming Married-Taken-Back Off, he would have undoubtedly topped her list. The ring, however, was a glaring reminder of boundaries she couldn't cross-boundaries she shouldn't even be thinking of crossing. Yet, a part of her couldn't help but wonder: What if there's a crack in that marriage where I could slip in?It wasn't like she could just walk up to him and say, Hey, let's make a baby-no strings attached. All you have to do is what you do best. That thought made her almost chuckle, but before she could spiral deeper into her fantasy, she felt a nudge against her foot under the table.

"Snap out of it," Marissa, her supervisor, whispered sharply. "Say something to defend our needed budget," she emphasized.

Marissa had been Emma's supervisor since she joined the company six years ago. Now, as a Junior Assistant Manager, Emma owed much of her growth to Marissa's guidance and support, though her own dedication and hard work had also played a significant role in climbing the corporate ladder.

But now wasn't the time for reminiscing. Patrick's sharp eyes were back on her, waiting for a response. She took a deep breath, trying to focus.

They reached an agreement to lower the budget while ensuring it met the requirements for their marketing campaign-a win-win solution that balanced costs and promoted sales effectively.

"You shouldn't be drooling over him, you know he's married and all," Marissa remarked accusatorily.

"I wasn't!" Emma defended herself.

"You better not. Not only is he married, but he's married to a Caraway. You know, that Caraway family-the filthy rich one," Marissa sneered.

"And yet, there you were, nodding and smiling like a lovesick fool while he was bargaining our budget down like a haggler in the marketplace. Honestly, I wouldn't have approved your campaign if I didn't think it would lead to good sales. But for that, we need a proper budget."

"I know, I know," Emma said with a sheepish grin. "But come on, Marissa, he's just so dreamy." She giggled. "Besides, we got the budget we needed, didn't we? And, who knows? Maybe he and his wife are on the rocks. Sometimes all it takes is a little nudge..." she teased with a mischievous tone.

"You're incorrigible." Marissa rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips. Soon, they both burst into laughter.

As they reached their floor, they noticed a buzz of excitement among their colleagues-especially the women.

"Where have you two been?" Eli called out, sauntering toward them. His short-cropped hair was slightly tousled, and his pink suit perfectly matched his confident demeanor. He was practically glowing with energy.

"Tell me you've heard about the new manager," Eli said, leaning in dramatically. His grin was wide, and his voice brimmed with excitement. "Tall, sharp suit, eyes like they belong in a romantic novel. Absolute perfection."

Marissa snorted. "Better than the usual fossils we get stuck with?"

Eli chuckled, his dark eyes sparkling. "Definitely. He's leagues ahead of anyone in this department." He fiddled with the bracelet on his wrist, a habit they all knew signaled nervous excitement.

The three of them walked back to their stations, with Eli eagerly dishing out the latest office gossip. Suddenly, the intercom rang, and Marissa picked it up.

"Marissa, Marketing Department. How can I help you?"

Her expression shifted between curiosity and shock before she handed the phone to Emma. "It's for you. The Marketing Head's secretary."

Emma froze. "What? Why? What did I do?" she whispered before taking the receiver.

"Emma speaking. How can I help you?"

Marissa and Eli exchanged wide-eyed looks. The Marketing Head rarely called junior employees directly. Typically, instructions were passed down through the managers. They leaned in, trying to catch the connversation.

"Uh-huh, yes... yes... okay..." Emma stammered before putting the phone down, her face a mix of confusion and disbelief.

"What was that about?" Marissa and Eli asked in unison.

"They said I need to go to Room 1502," Emma replied, sounding unsure.

"Wait, isn't that office still vacant?" Marissa asked. "That is office of the manager that resigned last week, didn't he? Are you being promoted?"

Emma laughed nervously. "Promoted? From Junior Assistant Manager to Manager without going through AM first? That's ridiculous. And, no, you didn't recommend me, did you?"

"Oh my God!" Eli squealed, clasping his hands dramatically. "That's the new manager's office! The one everyone's been buzzing about! The prince-like guy!"

Emma walked toward the new office, her thoughts spiraling with questions about why she had been summoned. She didn't know the new manager-that was one. Two, she was certain she hadn't done anything wrong. Three, she always adhered to company policies. Four, it couldn't possibly be a promotion. Five... Oh no, was it because she had been late today? But she had already explained that-blaming the earthquake and getting stuck in the elevator. Still, a flicker of doubt crept in. Don't tell me they reviewed the CCTV and caught me arriving late... or worse, noticed how recklessly I parked my car. She groaned inwardly, her anxiety mounting with every step.

Emma hesitated outside the office door, her palms slightly clammy as she adjusted her blouse. She had rehearsed a dozen scenarios in her head during the walk here, each one more ridiculous than the last. Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open.

And froze. There sitting in the middle of the room, the very same guy in the elevator.