Chapter 3 *A Glimpse of Vulnerability*

Reg stood in his penthouse apartment, staring out at the breathtaking city skyline. The sun had set, casting a warm orange glow over the towering skyscrapers and bustling streets below. Reg's mind, however, was preoccupied with the upcoming merger that would make his company a global leader.

As he stood there, lost in thought, he heard a faint noise coming from the living room. He turned to see Maria sitting on the couch, her sketchbook open on her lap. She was lost in her art, oblivious to his presence.

Reg's eyes narrowed as he took in the scene. He felt a pang of curiosity, wondering what Maria was drawing. As he watched, Maria's pencil moved deftly across the paper, capturing the cityscape outside the window.

For a moment, Reg forgot about his troubles, mesmerized by Maria's talent. He felt a glimpse of vulnerability, a sense that he was seeing Maria in a way that few others did.

As he stood there, frozen in place, Maria suddenly looked up, her eyes meeting Reg's. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the air thick with tension.

Reg felt his heart skip a beat as he gazed into Maria's eyes. He saw something there, something that looked almost like... understanding.

But then Maria looked away, her cheeks flushing with color. "I'm sorry, Mr. Thompson," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean to intrude on your space."

Reg cleared his throat, feeling a little shaken. "You're not intruding, Maria," he said, his voice a little softer than usual. "Please, continue with your art. You're very talented."

Maria's eyes met Reg's again, and this time, he saw a hint of a smile. "Thank you, Mr. Thompson," she said, her voice a little stronger now.

As Reg turned away, he couldn't shake off the feeling that he had just glimpsed something special, something that could change everything.