CHAPTER 7 #4
"Helisa," Kenji’s voice was bright, near-jubilant through the speaker.
"The board just took the vote. The Tokyo deal went through without a single dissenting voice!
Everything is completely signed, sealed, and in place now for quick production.
We're moving up the timeline by three weeks, and the projected revenue has just increased by twelve percent...
all thanks to the loophole your intern found. Congratulations, my friend."
A massive, unrestrained burst of pure joy exploded in my chest. I actually let out a loud, uncharacteristic shout of celebration in the middle of my empty office, slamming my fist down onto the mahogany desk. "Yes! Thank you, Kenji! Tell the production team to start the line!"
I hung up the phone and stroking across the office floor, my high heels flying over the hardwood as I slid the glass door wide open. The entire executive suite stopped what they were doing, looking up at me in shock as I stood on the threshold, my face alive with an unhidden brilliance.
"Ciara! Miley! In my office right now!" I called out, my voice ringing across the floor.
The two of them stood up instantly, Miley looking curious while Ciara looked near-panicked as they hurried back into the room. The second the door clicked shut, I stepped toward them, my arms gesturing broadly toward the desk.
"The Tokyo deal just went through!" I announced, a huge smile breaking across my face. "Everything is completely signed! We are in full production three weeks ahead of schedule!"
"Oh my God, Helisa!" Ciara screamed, her professional composure completely vanishing as she lunged forward, throwing her arms around my neck in a massive, tight hug. "I knew you could do it! I knew those boys in Tokyo couldn't handle you!"
"Thank you, Ciara," I laughed, hugging her back briefly before pulling away, my eyes instantly locking onto Miley, who was standing near the couch with a proud, dimpled smile on her face.
"But let's be entirely honest here," I said, stepping around Ciara, my voice dropping into a warm, heartfelt frequency as I looked directly at the younger girl.
"This victory does not belong to me today.
It belongs entirely to Miley. It was her incredible eye for detail, her meticulousness, and her exceptionally skillful, persuasive writing that found the loophole and saved this entire merger.
We wouldn't be celebrating without her."
I walked straight up to Miley, my corporate armor completely melting away in the heat of the victory.
I reached out and pulled her into a tight, full-body embrace, my arms wrapping securely around her waist, my face buried for a brief second in the sweet, strawberry-and-vanilla scent of her neck.
Miley froze for a fraction of a second in pure shock, but then her arms came up around my shoulders, her body molding perfectly against mine as she hugged me back with a strength that made my breath hitch.
She seemed to love every single second of the contact, her chest pressing warm and firm against mine until the butterflies in my stomach turned into a full-scale riot.
When I finally pulled away, my hands lingered on her upper arms for a second too long before I stepped back, my heart pounding at a rate that had absolutely nothing to do with the Tokyo stock exchange.
"Alright," I said, clearing my throat as I adjusted the lapels of my blazer, trying desperately to regain my executive posture while Ciara was still busy dancing around the office rug. "The victory is won, but the hunger remains. It’s exactly eleven-thirty. Miley, grab your bag. We’re heading out."
Ciara stopped her celebration, her brow furrowing in confusion as she looked at the two of us. "Wait... heading out? Where are you guys going? We have the regional quarterly review meeting at noon, Helisa."
"Reschedule it for three o'clock, Ciara," I said smoothly, picking up my leather briefcase and sliding my large designer sunglasses over my eyes, effectively hiding the sudden, playful gleam in my gaze.
"The CEO is taking the lead logistics architect out for an emergency strategy session.
We'll be back before the afternoon bell. "
Miley let out a soft, delighted chuckle, catching on to the game instantly as she snatched her purse from the chair. "Yeah, very important strategy, Ciara. Gotta protect the assets."
"I see how it is," Ciara joked, her eyes narrowing with a playful, knowing look as she looked between the two of us.
But before she could ask any real questions, I turned my back and began leading Miley out toward the private elevator banks, our heels clicking in a synchronized, powerful rhythm across the floor.
The descent in the elevator was silent, but the air inside the small wood-paneled cabin felt incredibly thick, vibrating with the residual heat of that hug.
Miley stood next to me, her shoulder occasionally brushing mine as the digital floor indicator counted down toward the lobby.
Every time she shifted, that strawberry-and-vanilla perfume filled my lungs, making my fingers twitch against the handle of my briefcase.
The moment the glass doors of the main lobby slid open, the bright, aggressive heat of the Manhattan noon hour hit us. The street was a sea of yellow cabs, honking horns, and corporate employees rushing toward the lunch carts.
But right at the edge of the curb, parked perfectly in the commercial loading zone with its hazard lights blinking silently, was my ride.
Marcus was standing by the rear door of the custom, midnight-black Nissan Patrol Nismo, his large frame clad in a flawless black suit, his dark sunglasses reflecting the high-rises above.
The engine was letting out that deep, muscular, throaty rumble that always made the luxury SUV feel like a predator waiting on the tarmac.
The second he saw us approach, Marcus stepped forward with absolute military precision, pulling the heavy door open for us.
"Good afternoon, Ms. Smith. Ms. Palmer," Marcus said, his voice level and professional as he gestured toward the leather-scented interior.
"Thank you, Marcus. Take us to the private dining room at Sant Ambroeus," I instructed as I slid onto the plush, pristine leather seat, sliding over to make room.
Miley stepped into the vehicle right behind me, her charcoal skirt pulling tight against her thighs as she hoisted her frame into the cab, her braids cascading over the leather backrest as she settled in next to me.
The heavy door clicked shut with a solid, airtight seal, instantly isolating the two of us from the entire roar of New York City.
As the massive Nismo accelerated smoothly into the midtown traffic, I pulled my phone out of my pocket. I looked over at Miley, who was busy looking out the tinted window with a wide, excited smile, her dimples showing through the reflection.
I unlocked the screen and opened my messaging app, pulling up Ciara’s contact info.
Helisa: Just so it's on your radar, I'm out for lunch with the new intern. Handling some talent retention metrics. Don't call unless the building is on fire.
I held the phone in my lap, watching the screen. Within ten seconds, three typing dots appeared, followed by a quick, vibrant response from my assistant.
Ciara: ?? Mmm-hmm. "Talent retention." Got it, boss. Have fun! Don't let her find out about Naomi’s secret recipe before tomorrow night! ??
I let out a soft, silent breath, sliding the phone back into my pocket as the luxury vehicle turned onto Fifth Avenue.
I turned my head slowly, my eyes tracing the beautiful, confident line of Miley’s profile against the glass.
The Tokyo deal was secured, the throne was safe, but as the car moved through the crowded city streets, I knew with absolute certainty that the real negotiation of my life was just beginning in the backseat of this car.