Lingering thoughts

Alisha and Zeriel were booked into a luxury two-bedroom apartment in a five-star hotel for their business trip. As they entered the suite, they were immediately greeted by an air of elegance and opulence.

 The spacious living room featured plush sofas and high-end furnishings, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The apartment boasted a fully-equipped kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances, perfect for those moments when they wanted to relax and cook their own meals. The dining area was set with a sleek table, complete with elegant place settings and a bouquet of fresh flowers, creating a sophisticated ambiance for their meals. The bedrooms were havens of comfort and tranquility.

 Each room had a king-size bed with luxurious linens, ensuring a restful night's sleep. The walls were adorned with tasteful artwork, and large windows allowed natural light to flood in, offering stunning views of the cityscape below. The bathrooms were nothing short of lavish, with marble countertops, double sinks, and spacious walk-in showers.

 Plush towels, high-quality toiletries, and fluffy robes added to the indulgent experience. As Alisha settled into her room, her phone buzzed with a message from Zeriel.

He commended her on the choice of accommodation, expressing his appreciation for her thoughtfulness in making their stay comfortable.

"Wow so he can be appreciative " Lisha blurted out in surprise at the content of the text she received she had never for once imagine that her prideful boss would ever say the word thank you.

"You're welcome" she muttered in laughter.   "That reminds me, I have to inform Maddie I arrived safely",she said as she lays On the bed facing upwards with her cell phone on her ear dialling her friend's number Alisha was already starving after she unpacked her bags she hurriedly takes a shower dressed up ready eat something.

 When Alisha made her way to the dining area, Zeriel was already there, gracefully arranging the table. A warm smile graced his face as he gestured for her to join him.

"Welcome, Alisha. I hope you had a smooth journey," Zeriel said, his voice gentle and welcoming.

Alisha was stunned by the transformation. Gone was the stern and cold boss she knew. Instead, she found herself faced with a kind and empathetic person who took the time and effort to make her comfortable.

"Thank you, sir. The journey was long, but I'm excited for what lies ahead," Alisha replied, feeling a glimmer of hope that this business trip might not be as daunting as she had anticipated.

As they sat down to eat, Alisha's mind raced with thoughts of how to bridge the gap between her and Zeriel. Small talk seemed impossible, and the silence felt like heavy chains binding her tongue.

 Sensing her discomfort, Zeriel decided to break the ice. "Alisha, I understand that our professional relationship might have seemed strained in the past not to mention our awkward encounters" he began, his eyes filled with understanding. "But let's try to look beyond that, as colleagues and as humans. It's important for us to have open and honest conversations, especially during this trip." Alisha nodded, grateful that Zeriel was acknowledging the elephant in the room.

  "I appreciate your openness sir. I must admit, I've been apprehensive about talking business during this trip." Zeriel chuckled gently, "feel free to call me by my name" he said his eyes twinkling with a touch of kindness. "I can be quite a force, can't I? But trust me, I believe in creating an environment where my staffs feel supported and valued."

 Alisha held her breath for a moment, allowing Zeriel's words to sink in. Maybe she had misjudged him. Perhaps there was more to their boss-employee relationship than met the eye.     Right after they finished their meal there was an  awkward lingering silence in the air as Zeriel breaks it off by starting up a conversation.

  "How's the progress with the new fragrance he ask her?" She immediately drops her phone which she was glaring at as they delved into the details of the project. Alisha noticed Zeriel's genuine interest in her ideas and contributions. He listened intently to her suggestions, asking insightful questions and providing constructive feedback. A sense of camaraderie started to build within Alisha, dispelling the lingering awkwardness.   Alisha found herself opening up more freely.

Zeriel's efforts hadn't gone unnoticed, and she was starting to see the man behind the boss—a mentor who wanted her to succeed.

  It was past 9pm alisha had taken her shower and her skin care routine not long ago. She was on a call with Maddie as she had narrated her first few hours with her boss. Her laughers echoed in the room. "Alright babe I'll update you more tomorrow" she giggles and ends the call.

She picks up her laptop which was by a mini table beside her bed to glance through some things.    

Later that night, as Alisha was already in her nightie, her phone rang again. It was Zeriel, requesting her to bring an important document to his room. Surprised by the late-night meeting, she hesitated for a moment before deciding to comply with her boss's request.

 She walked anxiously to Zeriel's room, her heart pounding in her chest. As she knocked on the door, Alisha couldn't help but feel self-conscious about her appearance in her nightie. When Zeriel opened the door, his eyes widened for a fraction of a second as he took in her delicate silhouette before regaining his composure.

Momentarily lost in his thoughts, Zeriel struggled to focus on the document at hand. The image of Alisha in her nightie lingered in his mind, igniting a wave of desires he had been suppressing.

 However, aware of the inappropriate nature of his thoughts, he quickly collected himself and urged Alisha to return to her room, citing the urgency of their work in the morning.

As Alisha made her way back to her room, she couldn't help but notice the subtle change in Zeriel's demeanor, his lingering gaze and faltering voice betraying his internal struggle. Little did she know that Zeriel couldn't shake her image from his mind throughout the night.  

The complexities of their professional relationship and the newfound tensions added an unexpected layer of intrigue to their business trip. Uncertain of what the future may hold, Alisha and Zeriel retired to their respective rooms, their thoughts consumed by the uncharted territory that lay ahead.