This is the fourth story in the Undone series.
This is Jung Hoseok's time to shine.
He is taking control of a new project at Stellar Design, and he has decided it's time to take control of his love life as well. He is weary of being alone, and he...
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Dae caught the look and placed her hand discreetly on Hobi's back, anchoring him and reminding him of the time and place.
He unclenched his jaw- and fists- and nodded coolly in the other man’s direction.
“Olivia has a sense about these things. She scheduled a team zoom meeting tonight for progress report. This is fine work to present. She will be pleased Isabelle,” Rege announced, his deep cultured voice hiding the slightest twinge of challenge.
Dae felt the muscles of Hobi’s back tense in response. She looked to see his eyes locked on Izzy.
Dae did not need Sky’s empathic abilities to read he had hoped for some time with her tonight. It no longer mattered what Izzy's response would have been, she now had no choice but to join the meeting with her team.
Izzy felt the swirl of emotions from the joy of shared memories with Hoseok to the crash of Olivia’s intrusion once again.
She shook her head. She should be thankful. She had already been daydreaming of the crowd breaking up, making plans, debating the merits of celebrating with too many drinks.
She could see Hobi drawing her away, finding one excuse or another to keep her close until one of them suggested dinner or drinks and then…..
Izzy sighed and shook her head and turned toward Rege.
She was afraid she would not have been strong enough to withstand the temptation Hobi offered, not this soon, not after the intimacy of this day together.
She also knew that she would have to face the probing questions that Olivia was no doubt stewing over right this minute. She might as well get it over with.
“ Right,” she responded “ We have much to share with Olivia tonight.” She paused to check her watch.
“The meeting?” she asked and nodded when Rege responded with the time.
“Looks like we have just enough time to return to the hotel, freshen up and order a working dinner,” she said to the group gathered around her.
Dae gave a silent nod of approval at the skilled way Izabelle had asserted herself and taken control of her group and the meeting.
There was no doubt who their leader was. Rege nodded his acknowledgment of the same.
“ SongDae, let’s plan time in the morning to review Olivia’s notes,” Izzy suggested.
“ And Hoseok,” her voice softened, as she turned to him, his name on her lips causing a flush to steal over him.
“It would probably be best if you were there too “ she stumbled at the heat she saw flare in his eyes. “ I anticipate we may have some reports for your review and scheduling changes. You know Olivia….”
She left the rest hang in the air and Hobi felt a sense of unease.
He certainly did know Olivia.
There were certain things he could predict would come from the meeting tonight. There would be expected suggestions to move the project along.
His real concern he could clearly see echoed in Izzy. Their history was lurking in the air. Olivia brought an inevitable air of uncertainty and unpredictability to the mix that left them both feeling vulnerable and off center.
Hobi would spend his night assuring himself that things were different now, that he was different. Right now he wondered if it was enough.
He smiled at Izzy and moved toward her as the crowd broke and began to gather things to leave. He stood beside her, not touching but so close she could inhale him, steal warmth and strength from him.
“It will be ok,” he assured her in a whisper for her ears only. Her only response was the slightest nod and a glance as the elevator closed between them.
He repeated the phrase to himself several times that night, hoping at some point he would believe it.
Isabelle was quiet on the ride to the hotel, making status notes for the meeting while the others chattered around her.
This type of meeting was standard for them, necessary when working an ocean apart.
She was satisfied that Olivia would be pleased with the project. She turned her thoughts to how she was going to fend off the personal questions she was sure Liv would ask tonight. She was equally unsure how she would answer them.
She did exactly what she suggested her team do. She washed up a bit and changed into comfortable clothes.
She ordered food brought into one of the conference rooms and gathered her notes and sketches, texting Rege to confirm he had covered the other details.
She arrived at the conference room to find him there, tech equipment set up and everything ready for the evening. She noted he had changed as well, taking a moment to appreciate the slim fit jeans and cashmere sweater he had chosen.
He was a beautiful man, a good man, skilled at his job, smart and kind. She smiled at him and silently wished he would find someone to truly care for him.
Rege returned her smile and made sure she was familiar with where the materials she needed were placed. She was busy reading the project book when he spoke, his deep voice drawing her out of the cost spreadsheet.
“Isabelle,” he said, “ What do you think she wants?” he asked.
For the first time she thought she heard doubt, or concern in his voice.
“Olivia?” she responded, on edge thinking he knew something she did not. “ You mean more than a regular status meeting?”
He stared a moment, then shook his head as if shaking off his worries.
“I am sure that is all it is,” he responded, the first arrivals interrupting anything else he might have said.
They gathered and ate and reviewed the work and they were pleased and eager to share the progress as the meeting time neared.
Olivia’s office popped up on the big screen exactly at the appointed time. The desk however was empty. Olivia was late, to the surprise of no one in the room
What would have been a humorous “ that’s so Liv” a month ago now struck Izzy as rude and arrogant.
She had grown used to working with Hobi’s team. Like their leader they were always punctual and respectful of other’s time.
She had given Olivia a pass for years, thinking her quirky and creative, always allowing her to charm away the hours wasted waiting on her.
But now she saw it for what it was, selfish and self centered.
She frowned at that truth, realizing she had excused Olivia for her bad behavior since the day they met.
This time away had made that clear. Then she corrected herself. The time she had spent here these past few weeks had dredged up the painful memories.
The girl she had been was hurt by Olivia’s carelessness with her time, her heart, with Hobi’s heart as well.
The woman she was becoming was coming to terms with that.
