18. Lucy
CHAPTER 18
Lucy
E ach morning, I find myself glancing at the clock, counting down the hours until lunchtime. What started as a chance encounter has now become a daily ritual. I notice a subtle shift in my mood—I'm more cheerful, more engaged with my work, and more excited about the day. Every day, as lunchtime approaches, my heart races a little faster, and I can't help but wonder what new stories Jarvin will share today.
When noon finally rolls around, I make my way to the small café down the street where we’ve been meeting. Jarvin always arrives with a warm smile and a kind word, making me feel at ease. His confidence is infectious, and his kindness is a balm to my often-stressed mind.
"Fancy seeing you here," he says, chuckling as he pulls out a chair for me. His voice is rich and steady, instantly calming.
"Likewise," I reply with a laugh, feeling a flutter of anticipation. We order our usuals, and soon enough, the conversation flows as easily as it did from the start.
Today, Jarvin talks about his recent trip to the mountains. "I was thinking of you," he says casually, "You mentioned how much you love hiking."
I raise an eyebrow. "Thinking of me while surrounded by nature? Should I be flattered or concerned?"
He laughs—a deep, genuine sound that makes me smile despite myself. "Definitely flattered."
I find myself opening up more, sharing bits of my life I normally keep private. "You know," I begin hesitantly, "I used to go camping every summer with my family. It's one of the few times we all truly bonded."
Jarvin's eyes never leave mine as he listens intently. "That sounds wonderful. Any memorable moments?"
I chuckle softly. "There was this one time my dad thought he could fish without any bait... needless to say, we went hungry that night."
His laughter joins mine, filling the small space between us with warmth and connection.
Our lunch dates have become a sanctuary for me—a brief escape from the pressures of the office and a moment to have Jarvin to myself. Jarvin’s presence is comforting yet invigorating. Each day, he shares more about his life, and in return, I let down my guard a little more.
He reaches across the table, his fingers brushing mine lightly. The touch sends a shiver down my spine, but I don’t pull away.
"You know," he says softly, his eyes locking onto mine with that familiar intensity, "These lunches are quickly becoming the highlight of my day."
My heart skips a beat at his words. “Mine too,” I admit quietly.
The café fades into the background as we continue talking, lost in our own world where everything seems simpler and more vibrant.
As the days pass, I find that these lunches are no longer just about eating; it's about the connection that’s slowly building between us. I start to notice the little things about Jarvin: the way his eyes crinkle when he laughs, the thoughtful pauses he takes before he speaks, the sincerity that laces every compliment he gives me.
I'm not sure when it happened, this shift within me, but now despite my reservations, I find myself wanting more. He has this way of making me feel disarmed, as if my insecurities don't exist. I tried so hard to resist him before, but now that's not something I want to do.
One afternoon, as we settle into our usual table, Jarvin pulls out a small package wrapped in brown paper. He places it on the table with a casual smile.
"What’s this?" I ask, my curiosity piqued.
"Just something I thought you might like," he replies, his eyes twinkling with anticipation.
I unwrap the package carefully, revealing a book I remember him mentioning during one of our conversations—a novel about a daring explorer who braves the wilderness to find herself. My heart warms at the thoughtful gesture. He remembered.
"I can't believe you got this for me," I say, my voice tinged with genuine surprise and gratitude.
He shrugs modestly but can't hide his pleased expression. "I thought you might enjoy it."
I run my fingers over the cover, feeling an unexpected surge of emotion. "Thank you, Jarvin. This means a lot."
We lapse into comfortable silence for a moment, both absorbing the significance of this small yet meaningful gesture. His thoughtfulness touches me deeply, and I can feel a deeper bond forming between us.
As we start eating, I find myself sharing more personal stories—things I haven't talked about in years. "You know," I begin, tracing patterns on the book cover absentmindedly, "I always wanted to go on an adventure like the one in this book. Something to shake up my life."
Jarvin's gaze is steady and encouraging. "Maybe you just need the right partner in crime," he suggests playfully but with an undertone of sincerity.
I laugh softly, feeling lighter than I have in a long time. "Maybe," I admit, looking at him with new eyes.
Lunch ends all too quickly, and as we part ways back at the office, I clutch the book tightly to my chest. It's more than just a gift; it's a symbol of our growing connection—one that I'm no longer sure I want to resist.
I watch Jarvin as he walks back to his office, his confident stride and easy smile making my heart flutter in a way I hadn't anticipated. Our lunches have become a cherished part of my day, a time where the rigid lines between boss and employee blur into something warmer, more personal. He’s not just the CEO anymore; he's Jarvin—the orc who remembers small details about my life, who listens with genuine interest, and who makes me laugh when I need it most.
One afternoon, we find ourselves laughing over a shared joke about our respective childhood misadventures. His deep, resonant laugh is infectious, and I can't help but join in, feeling lighter than I have in weeks.
"You really tried to ride a sheep?" I tease, wiping tears of laughter from my eyes.
Jarvin grins, a boyish charm lighting up his face. "Hey, I was six and thought it was a good idea at the time."
Our laughter fades into comfortable silence as we finish our meal. When we part ways back at the office, I find myself lingering in the moment, replaying our conversation and his easy laughter. Returning to my desk feels almost mundane after the warmth of our lunch together.
As I settle back into my work, my mind keeps drifting. Jarvin’s dedication to his work is something I've come to deeply admire. He's not just passionate about what he does; he genuinely cares about his team and their well-being. Watching him navigate the complexities of his role with such grace and determination is inspiring.
He's always there for his team, offering support and guidance without ever making anyone feel lesser. It's a quality that makes me respect him even more. Despite the power dynamics at play, he never uses his position to intimidate or belittle; instead, he elevates those around him.
I catch myself glancing towards his office more often than I'd like to admit. The memory of his thoughtful gestures—the book he gave me, the coffee he leaves on my desk—lingers in my mind, warming me from within.
It's odd how rapidly our relationship has evolved. He's no longer just the stranger I met at the airport, or the daunting CEO I was set on maintaining my distance from. He's turned into a friend, a confidant... and perhaps something beyond that. The idea excites me, though I'm not prepared to delve into it deeply just yet.
At the moment, I'm happy to let things develop at their own pace, relishing our lunches and the strengthening bond we share.
Today, as we finish our lunch, I feel a lightness in my chest that I haven’t experienced in ages. Jarvin’s laughter still echoes in my ears, and his warm smile lingers in my mind. The conversation had been easy, filled with shared jokes and genuine interest. It’s a stark contrast to the guarded interactions we had when I first started at Thraknar Financial Group.
Walking back to the office, I find myself glancing at him, realizing he's someone who’s become an integral part of my day. His presence has brought a new sense of excitement and comfort into my life—something I hadn’t realized I was missing until now. Each day with him feels like an adventure, one that I'm not ready to let go of.
Inside the office building, I watch Jarvin as he holds the door open for me, his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. “Ladies first,” he says with a playful bow.
I roll my eyes but can't suppress a smile. “I guess chivalry isn’t dead after all,” I tease back, stepping through the door. As I pass him, I catch a whiff of his cologne—something earthy and intoxicating that makes my heart skip a beat.
His laughter is rich and genuine, and it sends a warm flutter through my heart. As we step into the elevator, the memory of our kiss resurfaces, making my cheeks flush slightly. But this time, instead of feeling conflicted or nervous, I feel... content.
At that moment, I realize just how much Jarvin means to me. He’s not just my boss; he’s someone who genuinely cares about me. It’s evident in the small gestures—the thoughtful book he gave me, the way he listens intently when I speak, and the sincere compliments that never feel forced or superficial.
As we part ways at the office, I find myself looking back at him one last time before stepping inside. His confident stride and easy smile make my heart skip a beat. He turns slightly and catches my eye, giving me a quick wink that makes me laugh despite myself.
Sitting down at my desk, I reflect on how much things have changed since our initial meeting at the airport. Jarvin has added a new dimension to my life—one filled with warmth, laughter, and genuine connection. My feelings for him are growing stronger each day, and while it scares me to admit it, it also fills me with hope.
I look forward to what each new day brings with him by my side.