Dorothy never in a million years thought she would set foot in the grand halls of the Lopez Corporation again. Although she was a project director at East Star Enterprises, and her ID badge proudly displayed her affiliation, her new office was now situated within the imposing skyscraper.
Luckily for her, Austin had also been called back to the Lopez Corporation, so at least she had a familiar face in the new office.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtWhile Dorothy was anything but thrilled about the move, Austin was on cloud nine. As soon as he spotted Dorothy in the waiting room of the Lopez Corporation, his face lit up like a Christmas tree, and he immediately launched into conversation.
"Last month, my horoscope said I'd hit the jackpot, and look at us now! Working at the Lopez Corporation is like striking gold. | never dared to dream it!" Austin was buzzing with excitement, looking around as if he was ready to snap a selfie with the legend himself at any moment.
To the uninitiated, Austin might have seemed like he was there to rub elbows with celebrities, not to clock in for a nine-to-five.
Of course, Dorothy understood the hype. Back in her days at the branch office of the Lopez Corporation, everyone was eager for a glimpse of the man, the myth, the legend—Everett.
She too had once been curious, but not anymore. She didn't want to and couldn't afford to think about it.
Austin, oblivious to the history between Dorothy and Everett, kept chattering away. "The Lopez Corporation's investment in Everglow City must be part of some big takeover plan, right? It's all so sudden! They must have something up their sleeve." Dorothy, not wanting to seem standoffish, humored him with a nod, pretending to ponder his theory. "Yeah, you might be onto something." "Maybe they're after the talent at East Star Enterprises since none of us got the axe. We all just got absorbed into Lopez Corp!" "Possibly." "Anyway, no use guessing about that now! We're part of the Lopez Corporation, and I'm gonna roll up my sleeves and work my tail off. Who knows, maybe I'll even get a chance to report directly to Mr. Lopez himself." After his spiel, noticing Dorothy's glazed expression, Austin pulled out his phone, typed something, swiped a few times, and suddenly flipped the screen toward her.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Don't tell me you've never seen a picture of Everett, the big boss of the Lopez Corporation. You're too calm about this! Look! This is Everett. Handsome, right? Even as a guy, | can tell he's a knockout! His features are even more refined than Lane, that heartthrob!" Before Dorothy could react, the image of Everett appeared in her sight, catching her completely off guard. She instinctively recoiled, "Uh, I've... I've seen his picture before." "You're not swooning over him?" Dorothy managed an awkward smile, "I'm... I'm married." Austin nearly rolled his eyes. "Dorothy, you've got that love-struck look, always talking about being married. But honestly, even if you were single, it's not like you and Everett would ever mix." No sooner had he spoken than a tall, imposing figure strode into the waiting room.
The man was dressed in a sleek black suit, exuding an air of nobility and gentlemanly charm.
Austin reached to nudge Dorothy, about to tell her that Everett, the man himself, had actually arrived, when Everett's voice preempted him.
Everett said, "Dorothy, to my office, please."