NINE

As I stepped out of the conference room, I felt a mixture of relief and exhaustion. The meeting had been tense, but Ivan's authoritative handling of the situation had helped steer it back on course. I made my way towards the elevators, my mind already shifting to the next tasks on my to-do list.

"Ms. Banks," a voice called out from behind me. I turned to see Director Osse striding towards me, his expression unreadable but his eyes dark with something I couldn't quite place. Resentment, perhaps?

"Director Osse," I greeted, forcing a polite smile. "Can I help you with something?"

He closed the distance between us, his gaze cold and piercing. "You think you're clever, don't you?" he sneered. "Doing a great job of sleeping with Ivan and it shows."

The shock of his words hit me like a physical blow. For a moment, I was speechless, my mind struggling to process the sheer audacity of his accusation. "Excuse me?" I finally managed to say, my voice trembling with anger.

"You heard me," Osse said, his tone dripping with disdain. "I see how it is. You think you can waltz in here, cozy up to the boss, and have everything handed to you on a silver platter. But let me tell you something, Ms. Banks. I don't like you. I don't like your attitude, your ideas, or your so-called vision. We will never be on good terms."

I felt a surge of anger boiling up inside me. How dare he? Taking a deep breath, I straightened my shoulders and met his gaze head-on. "Director Osse, let me make something very clear," I said, my voice steady and firm. "I have worked incredibly hard to get to where I am. My decisions are based on what I believe is best for this project, not on any personal relationships."

He opened his mouth to retort, but I cut him off. "And as for your baseless accusations, they say more about you than they do about me. If you think throwing around unfounded rumors and insults is going to intimidate me, you're sorely mistaken."

Osse's face reddened with fury, but I pressed on. "You're a talented director, and I respect your work. But respect is a two-way street. If you can't find it in yourself to work professionally, then perhaps you're not as indispensable as you think. Remember, this project is happening with or without your cooperation."

The silence that followed was heavy, charged with the intensity of our confrontation. Osse's eyes blazed with anger, but there was a flicker of something else too—perhaps realization, perhaps a grudging respect. He clenched his jaw, his fists tightening at his sides.

"You think you can talk to me like that?" he hissed.

"I just did," I replied coolly. "And I'll do it again if necessary. You don't have to like me, Director Osse, but you do have to work with me. So, let's make this clear: you can either get on board and act like a professional, or you can step aside and let those of us who are committed to this project move forward without your interference."

For a moment, it seemed like he might lash out, but then he took a step back, his gaze never leaving mine. "Fine," he said through gritted teeth. "We'll see how long you last."

As I squared off with Director Osse, my heart pounded, adrenaline surging through my veins. Our heated exchange echoed in the hallway, the air thick with tension. Just as Osse seemed ready to deliver another scathing remark, a voice cut through the charged atmosphere.

"What is going on here?"

I turned to see Ivan approaching, his expression a mix of concern and authority. His gaze locked onto Osse with an intensity that made even me feel a bit intimidated. Director Osse's defiance faltered under Ivan's scrutiny, his posture shifting ever so slightly.

"Nothing, Mr. Milton," I said quickly, hoping to defuse the situation. "Just a minor disagreement."

Osse's eyes flicked to mine, his resentment barely concealed, but he didn't challenge my dismissal. With a final glare in my direction, he turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing down the corridor.

Ivan waited until Osse was out of earshot before turning his attention back to me. "Are you alright, Wendy?" he asked, his tone softening.

I nodded, though my heart was still racing. "Yes, I'm fine. Thank you."

He studied me for a moment, his gaze searching. "Let me give you a ride back".

"It's fine sir, I'd love to go alone today". I politely declined. I had a lot to think about, Osse and Wade were really getting into my head.

...

The restlessness from the previous day's events lingered as I sat in my apartment, staring blankly at the script in front of me. The confrontation with Wade and the tension with Osse weighed heavily on my mind, making it impossible to concentrate. When my phone buzzed with a message from Ivan, suggesting we meet, I hesitated. Spending more time with him after everything felt complicated, but when he insisted, I found myself agreeing reluctantly.

He picked me up, and as we drove to the marina, I couldn't help but feel a mix of anxiety and curiosity about what he had planned. When we arrived and I saw the sailboat, my eyes widened in surprise.

"Sailing?" I asked, unable to hide my apprehension.

"Yes, sailing," Ivan said with a reassuring smile. "Trust me, it's the perfect way to clear your head."

I hesitated, but Ivan's encouraging expression and the thought of escaping the chaos, even briefly, convinced me to give it a try. He offered his hand as I stepped onto the boat, and I took it, feeling a strange sense of relief at his touch.

As he prepared the boat and we set sail, I watched him work with practiced ease. The tension in my shoulders began to melt away with the rhythmic motion of the boat cutting through the water.

"How did you get into sailing?" I asked, genuinely curious.

Ivan's face took on a contemplative expression. "I started when my brother and I began having issues. Our father favored me, and my brother resented it, fearing I'd inherit everything. Sailing became my escape, a way to clear my head amidst the turmoil. Starting my own company was another attempt to keep peace between us, but it hasn't exactly worked."

His honesty caught me off guard, and I found myself feeling a deeper connection to him. We talked more as we sailed, the conversation flowing effortlessly. At one point, he handed me the tiller, guiding my hands to steer the boat.

"You're doing great," he said, his breath warm against my ear.

A shiver ran down my spine, not from the cold, but from the closeness. I laughed, feeling a rush of exhilaration as I took control. The tension from the past few days seemed to dissolve in the salty sea air.

As the sun began to set, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, Ivan anchored the boat in a quiet cove. He pulled out a picnic basket, and we shared a simple meal, the conversation turning more personal and intimate as the evening wore on.

"I have to admit, I was hesitant to come out here," I said, looking out at the shimmering water. "But I'm glad I did."

Ivan smiled, his eyes softening. "Sometimes, stepping away from everything is the best way to gain perspective."

I looked at him, appreciating the way the fading light highlighted his strong features. "Thank you for this, Ivan. I needed it more than I realized."

His gaze held mine, the moment stretching between us, charged with unspoken feelings. "So did I, Wendy," he said softly.

The comfortable silence that followed felt loaded with possibilities. As the stars began to twinkle above us, I realized how much I had enjoyed this time with him. The barriers of formality and professional distance were beginning to crumble, replaced by a growing connection that felt both exciting and a little terrifying.

"Ivan, can I ask you something?" I said, breaking the silence.

"Of course."

"Why do you keep insisting I call you by your first name?"

He chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Because I want us to be more than just colleagues. Today, we're just Ivan and Wendy. No titles, no formalities."

I nodded, taking a deep breath. "Alright, Ivan." although, I wasn't sure being more than colleagues was a good idea, I appreciate friendship with him, he was a really nice man but with all the misunderstandings flying, I wasn't so sure.

He reached out, taking my hand in his, the gesture both comforting and intimate, making my heart flutter at the warmth in his touch.

As we made our way back to the marina under the starlit sky, a sudden gust of wind caught the sails, causing the boat to lurch. I stumbled, and Ivan's arm shot out to steady me, pulling me against him. The unexpected closeness made my breath catch, and I looked up into his eyes, seeing a flicker of something deeper.

Our faces were inches apart, and for a moment, I thought he might kiss me. The tension between us was palpable, charged with unspoken emotions. But then he released me, his hand lingering on my arm for a second longer than necessary.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice a little huskier than before.

I nodded, my heart still racing. "Yes, just... a bit startled."

He smiled, but there was a shadow of something else in his eyes. "Let's get back before the wind picks up again."

The silence between us was comfortable but laden with the weight of everything unsaid. The night had brought us closer, revealing vulnerabilities and shared moments that hinted at the possibility of something more but did I want something more?