Hello 17


    Doubt flickered in my head, but before I could say anything, Ron beat me to it.


    “Ahem, ahem…” He cleared his throat, shing this awkward grin. “Were you, like, listening at the


    door? You kinda freaked me out.”


    He was trying to be funny, but I kept it serious. “No, I wasn’t eavesdropping. I just got here and


    didn’t even have time to knock.”


    Ron’s smile stretched wider. “I’m just messing with youl Chill. So, what’s going on?”


    He waved me in, and I stepped into his office..


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    Even though I’d been at thepany a few days, this was my first time here. And… wow. First


    impression? Not what I expected.


    Ron might be the deputy CEO, but since the CEO was barely around, he was basically running the


    show. You’d expect his office to scream sleek and professional, right? Nope.


    The couch was shaped like a crescent moon, all bold and bright with shing colors. Instead of


    those stiff office nts, there were real flowers everywhere, the bright blooms that totally caught


    your eye. And his desk? Covered in quirky little trinkets.


    The whole setup had this soft, almost feminine vibe. If hadn’t known this was Ron’s office, I


    would’ve thought I was in the wrong ce.


    “You like it?” Ron asked, catching me eyeing everything.


    I forced a small smile. Honestly, I wasn’t feeling it. His office didn’t exactly scream “serious deputy


    CEO.” But, hey, it was his space. If he liked it, that’s what counted.


    “Your office has a very… unique style,” I said, trying to sound nice.


    Des. Even


    Ronughed, gesturing for me to sit on that funky couch. “Yeah, I’m not into boring, corporate our


    big boss says that about me. Oh, and about that call earlier? That was actually with him. You really


    gave me a heart attack when you popped up out of nowhere.”


    I chuckled, though inside I was still wrapping my head around how he just called the CEO “Bro” on


    the phone. From the sound of it, their rtionship was tight–like not actual family, but pretty close.


    No- wonder Ron practically ran the show.


    “I’ll make sure to knock next time,” I said, keeping it professional.


    “No biggie, no biggie. I’m just a little jumpy,” Ron joked, making.meugh for real this time.


    He was so easygoing and rtable, aplete 180 from the aloofness you’d expect from someone


    at his level. Definitely not–like Jace.


    Back when I worked at RiverwaveCorp, Jace was the CEO. During work hours, it didn’t matter if we


    were in the office or at a meeting–he always insisted on being called “Mr. Johnston.” To him, I was


    just his assistant, just another employee.


    Looking back now, the way he treated me… it wasn’t about keeping things professional. He just


    didn’t love me enough.


    3.2


    That thought hit like a punch to the gut, but I snapped out of it, remembering why I’de to see


    Ron in the first ce. “Mr. Shane, I’d like to take the afternoon off.”


    “Time off?” Ron raised an eyebrow.


    “Yeah, I’ve got something I need to handle,” I replied, keeping it vague.


    Ron nodded. “Sure, go ahead. Don’t stress about the clients. I already talked to the boss, and he


    said he’ll take care of it himself. Just focus on your stuff, and we’ve got the rest covered.”


    “Huh?” I blinked, a little thrown. I hadn’t even met the CEO yet. Why was he being so considerate?


    Ron chuckled. “He’s a good–looking guy with a big heart. Once you meet him, you’ll probably fall for


    him.” Fall for him?!


    My face heated up, but after a second, I realized Ron probably just meant the CEO was as chill and


    nice as he was. So, I yed along. “With a boss that amazing, I bet everyone does.”