019. Dangerous plays

Jason woke up at his usual time; he didn't need an alarm, as his body was accustomed to the same routine. He looked to his side and, in the dim light, distinguished Amelia's beautiful features. He wanted to wake her like the day before, with a kiss, but in just one day, things had deteriorated significantly. If he wanted, without regard for her feelings, he could even take her, but even without that intention, this girl intrigued him deeply. Love? No, it couldn't be love after just three days, but her drunkenness, that magical essence, her joy, and her vulnerability made him feel something. Perhaps she could be his partner in the future. Perhaps they were destined.

Gently, he moved a strand of hair away from her face. She was definitely very beautiful. He caressed her cheek, where he had struck her the previous night, cursing himself for not controlling his nerves. He thought he would wake her after his run and made a motion to get up.

"No kiss?" asked a soft voice behind him.

Jason turned, surprised by the sweet tone in Amelia's voice. "I… I thought you were still holding a grudge. I didn't want to overstep," he admitted, feeling for the first time a vulnerability he wasn't used to showing.

"Give me a kiss," she ordered, extending her arms toward him.

Amelia felt the weight of Jason's body on hers and then his lips meeting hers. How could she have acted this way with him? Jason had only been supporting her in everything, even neglecting his work for a day to give her a wonderful date in Milan. She hugged him, trying to apologize for her jealousy. After a few seconds of passion, they separated.

"I'm sorry, yesterday…" Amelia began to say, but Jason didn't let her continue, placing a finger on her lips.

"We both did and said things we didn't mean. There's no need for apologies, as we both know each other's mistakes and regret," Jason replied with a smile, which Amelia returned, nodding her head.

The atmosphere between them had softened a little, although the underlying tension remained. Jason got up gently, still feeling the weight of responsibility and concerns about Amelia and his own issues.

"I'm going for a run. Do you want to join me?" Jason asked, trying to keep a light tone.

Amelia stretched and nodded, getting up with him. "Sure, it'll be good to clear my mind."

They both changed in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Jason knew there was still much to resolve, but for now, he clung to the hope that time and patience could heal the recent wounds. Amelia, for her part, felt a mix of relief and fear. They had overcome an obstacle, but the uncertainty about the future still lurked at the back of her mind.

They went out together into the cool morning air, ready to face a new day. The morning run offered them a chance to release their accumulated stress and start rebuilding the trust and connection they both longed for.

Jason and Amelia ran together along the private path that wound through the mansion's gardens, lined with tall trees and vibrant flowers. The fresh morning air helped clear their minds, allowing them to enjoy a brief respite from their worries.

After the run, Jason and Amelia returned to the mansion to shower, change, and have breakfast. Each immersed themselves in their thoughts as they prepared for the day, finding comfort in the morning routine.

Once ready, they went down to the dining room, where they enjoyed a nutritious and quiet breakfast. The meal helped recharge their energies, and the presence of the other gave them a sense of mutual support. After breakfast, the chauffeur already had the car ready, waiting for them at the mansion's main entrance.

The ride to Jason's company building was relatively short. As the car moved through the city streets, Amelia watched the urban landscape, trying to organize her thoughts and prepare for the day ahead. Jason, beside her, was also lost in his reflections, mentally planning the tasks that urgently needed attention.

Upon arriving at the imposing building of Jason's companies, the chauffeur stopped the car in front of the main entrance. Amelia and Jason got out, feeling the energy of the workday beginning to intensify around them.

"Amelia, I want you to focus on today's meeting and not worry about rumors or stares. Show them what you're worth," Jason said, placing a supportive hand on her shoulder.

Amelia nodded, trying to display a confident smile. "I will, Jason. Thank you for everything."

"I'll be in the Grupo Xiting building, just across the street. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call me," Jason said, indicating the imposing glass building across the street.

Amelia looked at the modern structure and nodded again. "I will. Good luck with your business today."

Jason gave her shoulder one last squeeze before crossing the street to the Grupo Xiting building. Amelia watched him as he walked away, feeling a mix of admiration and anxiety. She took a deep breath, adjusted her bag, and headed into her building, determined to face the day with the best possible attitude.

Upon entering the lobby, Amelia was greeted by the staff with respect and professionalism, though she could still hear some murmurs about how she got the position or gossip about her relationship with Jason. She took the elevator to her office, mentally preparing for the meeting and recalling Jason's words. She had much to prove and was determined not to be defeated by the challenges ahead.

Amelia entered the meeting room with a mix of nerves and determination. The room was filled with executives, each with their own agenda and expectations. Isabel was by her side, giving her an encouraging look before beginning.

"Good morning, everyone," Isabel began. "Today, we have several important topics to discuss. But first, I want to introduce Amelia Antúnez again, who will be working closely with us."

The executives nodded politely, but Amelia could feel the tension in the air. She knew that many still doubted her abilities. Isabel continued with the agenda, addressing various points until she reached a critical topic: a strategy to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs in a key project that had been facing problems.

"We've been looking for ways to optimize the process and reduce operational costs without compromising quality. So far, our solutions haven't been effective enough," Isabel said, looking around the room. "Amelia, would you like to share your ideas on this?"

Amelia took a breath, aware of all the eyes on her. She stood up and walked to the digital board, where she began to draw a diagram.

"Thank you, Isabel. I've been reviewing the data, and I believe we can approach this problem from a different perspective. Instead of just cutting costs, we could implement a Lean-based approach combined with some Six Sigma techniques," she began, drawing diagrams and process flows.

"For example, instead of reducing staff, we could restructure tasks and responsibilities to increase efficiency. This would involve cross-training, allowing employees to handle multiple roles within the project. Additionally, we could use data analysis tools to identify and eliminate specific bottlenecks in our workflow."

Amelia continued explaining how these methodologies could be applied to their specific project, using concrete examples and data she had previously analyzed. As she spoke, the executives began to take notes and exchange approving glances.

"Additionally," Amelia continued, "we could introduce a digital collaboration platform to allow better communication and task tracking between teams. This would not only improve efficiency but also reduce errors and rework, ultimately leading to significant cost savings."

When Amelia finished her presentation, the room was silent for a moment. Then, one of the more experienced executives, who initially seemed skeptical, spoke up.

"Amelia, I must admit that your ideas are very innovative and practical. I hadn't considered the Lean-Six Sigma approach for this project, but now that you mention it, it seems like a very viable solution," he said, looking at the other executives. "I propose that we implement these suggestions and assess the results in a month."

Before Isabel could respond, Laura intervened, her tone full of skepticism and a hint of disdain.

"I think Amelia has presented some interesting ideas, but we need to be realistic. Implementing a Lean-Six Sigma approach and a digital collaboration platform requires significant time and resources. Are we sure this won't generate more costs in the long run?" Laura asked, looking at Amelia with a cold smile. "And besides, what practical experience does Amelia have in leading a project of this scale?"

The executives murmured among themselves, some showing doubts. Isabel, noticing the flimsiness of Laura's arguments, decided to take a risky move.

"Laura, your concerns are valid. But I believe Amelia has the potential to lead and prove her capabilities. I propose that Amelia be appointed as the director of Energreen Solutions, our company dedicated to solar panels, wind turbines, and energy storage batteries. Right now, it's a deficit-ridden company that has cost six executives their positions in the last three years," Isabel said, looking at Amelia with confidence.

Laura, with a malicious smile she could barely contain, raised her hand in approval. Her eyes gleamed with a mix of satisfaction and anticipation, eager to see Amelia stumble and fall. In her mind, she could already imagine the young novice making a fool of herself while facing the complex challenges of Energreen Solutions. For Laura, this wasn't just an opportunity to discredit Amelia but also a way to undermine the trust Jason had placed in her. The image of Amelia being fired and repudiated by Jason, exiled from any influence in the group's management, brought her a twisted pleasure. It was a strategic move, a ploy to remove the new rival from the board and regain her position of undisputed power.

Meanwhile, other executives in the room exchanged worried and skeptical glances. Some frowned, considering the proposal unfair and reckless. How could a newcomer, recently arrived and without experience in leading such a troubled company, assume such a large responsibility? They whispered among themselves, debating the wisdom of the decision. However, the combined influence of Isabel and Laura weighed heavily on the council's mood. Isabel, with her impeccable reputation and firm belief in Amelia's potential, and Laura, with her apparent strategic support, managed to tip the balance.

The air in the room was heavy with tensions and expectations as the votes were cast. Despite some reservations, the proposal was approved. Amelia's appointment as the director of Energreen Solutions was finalized, sealed by the support of two of the group's most influential figures. The decision seemed settled, and the executives had no choice but to accept the outcome and wait for time to prove Amelia's worth in her new and challenging role.

At that moment, Jason entered with a stern expression, apologizing for being late.

"Could someone catch me up on the meeting, please?" he asked, taking a seat next to Amelia.

Isabel briefly explained the situation and the proposal to appoint Amelia as the director of Energreen Solutions. Jason listened attentively, his expression grave.

"I support the motion," he said finally, looking at Amelia with a mix of pride and concern.

Amelia had studied the company thoroughly to make a proposal not yet applied, but she knew its history and the mess she was stepping into. Still, she felt grateful for the trust placed in her by the board and left the meeting with her head held high.

However, when she reached her office, the magnitude of the responsibility and challenges overwhelmed her. She sank into her chair, feeling vulnerable and aware of the great challenge ahead.

Amelia turned on her computer and began to look at Energreen Solutions' organizational chart. As she navigated through the company's structure, she noticed something unexpected: a new hire. The company had been downsizing for two years, and suddenly today, they had just hired two people. The first was herself, Amelia Antúnez, as executive director. The second was someone named Nuria Narbona with a huge salary.

Intrigued, Amelia opened Nuria Narbona's resume and was surprised to see her impressive record. Nuria had received three Nobel Prize nominations and had been working on leading developments in wind and solar energy transformation.

Amelia was speechless. How could they have recruited someone of that caliber for such a salary? However, the contract was there, clear as day, signed just a few minutes ago. Nuria Narbona's file not only confirmed her arrival but also detailed her crucial role in the company, further highlighting the weight of the responsibility now resting on Amelia's shoulders.

Amelia's mind filled with questions and doubts. Was this another trap by Laura? Or perhaps a masterstroke by Isabel to give Amelia a chance to shine with the support of such a brilliant mind as Nuria's?

She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to calm the whirlwind of thoughts. She knew she had to stay strong and prove herself, but the challenge ahead was becoming more complex than she had imagined.

When she opened her eyes, Amelia once again felt resolute. She took a deep breath and began to devise a plan. Nuria's arrival could be a blessing in disguise. With someone so competent by her side, perhaps she would have the opportunity to transform Energreen Solutions and, in the process, prove to everyone, including Jason and Laura, what she was truly capable of.

Determined, Amelia opened a new document and began drafting a strategy for her first meeting with Nuria. She knew that gaining Nuria's trust and collaboration would be key to facing the challenges ahead. As she typed, her mind raced, thinking about how to turn this unexpected situation into an opportunity to change the company's course and, at the same time, solidify her position within the group.

With each word written, she felt the tension in her shoulders ease slightly. There was still a long way to go, but she was ready to face it with determination and courage.