As The Stars Aligned

Chapter 14

Weeks had passed since Novalie and Damien's night of adventure and heartfelt conversation. Their connection had deepened, and they found themselves spending more and more time together, both in work and leisure. Today, Damien was back in his office, but the memories of those weeks continued to play in his mind.

He was sitting behind his desk, a smile playing on his lips as he recalled the moments he and Novalie had shared. Their late-night conversations, the impromptu wingsuit flying, and the café visits had all brought them closer together.

As he was lost in his thoughts, his office door swung open, and in walked his assistant, Vern. "Mr. Beckett, I have the financial reports you requested," he said with a professional tone.

Damien cleared his throat and quickly composed himself. "Thank you, Vern. Just leave them on my desk," he replied, his mind shifting back to business matters.

Vern placed the documents neatly on his desk and then glanced at Damien with a knowing look. "You seem different lately, Mr. Beckett. Happier, if I may say so."

Damien raised an eyebrow, not accustomed to discussing his personal life with his assistant. "What do you mean, Vern?"

Vern smiled knowingly. "Well, it's just that you've been in a remarkably good mood lately, Mr. Beckett. It's not every day we see you smile like that," he remarked. Damien chuckled, acknowledging Vern's observation. "Maybe it has something to do with a certain someone who barged in that one day?" Vern asked with a raised eyebrow, curious. "Maybe," Damien added with a wink. "But back to work, these paperwork won't do themselves."

As Vern left his office, Damien couldn't help but reflect on the unexpected turn his life had taken. He was no longer solely focused on business and competition. Novalie had brought laughter and joy into his world, and he was starting to see the value in a life beyond the boardroom.

"Mr. Beckett, your 12:00 meeting is here," Vern's voice came through the intercom, interrupting Damien's thoughts.

"Thanks, Vern. I'll be right there," Damien replied, pushing himself up from his desk and heading toward the conference room. As he entered the conference room Damien couldn't help but take a moment to appreciate the space.

The spacious room featured a long, polished mahogany table with leather-upholstered chairs placed neatly around it. The table was adorned with state-of-the-art multimedia equipment, including a large screen for presentations and video conferences.

The walls were lined with elegant bookshelves, filled with leather-bound volumes on business strategy, economics, and law. A massive abstract painting hung as the centerpiece, adding a touch of modern artistry to the otherwise classic decor.

The room was flooded with natural light during the day, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a stunning view of the city skyline. Heavy, silk curtains could be drawn to provide privacy during meetings or to block out the sunlight when needed.

Overall, Damien's conference room was a blend of sophistication and functionality, a reflection of his commitment to excellence in both his business and personal life.

As Damien took his seat at the head of the conference table, he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. Linda Miller, the representative from Apex Tech, sat at the opposite end, engrossed in a stack of paperwork. Her head was bowed slightly as she meticulously reviewed the documents.

Linda was known for her meticulous attention to detail, and it was clear that she had come prepared for the meeting. Her reputation as a tough negotiator preceded her, making the atmosphere in the room charged with anticipation.

Damien cleared his throat, drawing Linda's attention away from her paperwork. Their eyes met, and he offered a polite nod of acknowledgment. It was time to begin what could potentially be a game-changing discussion in his business endeavors.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Miller. I appreciate your prompt arrival. I trust your journey here was pleasant?" Damien began, his professional demeanor unwavering.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Beckett. Yes, the journey was smooth. Shall we delve straight into the business at hand?" Linda responded with a polite but purposeful tone.

Damien nodded thoughtfully. "Of course. To start, I must commend Apex Tech on its recent accomplishments in the tech industry. Your company's advancements have been truly impressive."

"Thank you, Mr. Beckett. We take great pride in our innovative work. However, I believe that joining forces could propel both our companies to new heights," Linda replied graciously, acknowledging Damien's compliment.

"I share that sentiment, Ms. Miller. Merging our resources presents a promising opportunity for mutual growth. However, it's essential that we establish a solid foundation for this partnership," Damien emphasized.

"Agreed, Mr. Beckett. Let's delve into the specifics. Apex Tech has outlined certain non-negotiable terms, including a specified level of autonomy within the merged entity," Linda explained, shifting the discussion toward the crucial details.

"Autonomy is certainly a reasonable request, and we are fully prepared to work within those parameters to ensure a productive partnership," Damien replied confidently. As he continued, outlining his vision for the collaboration, his phone rang suddenly "Don't you wish your girlfriend was hot like me, don't you wish your girlfriend was a freak like me? Don't cha."

Damien swiftly retrieved his phone, a mix of embarrassment and urgency evident on his face. "I apologize for the interruption, Ms. Miller," he said, his tone apologetic and flustered.

"It's okay, hope your girlfriend doesn't interrupt again," Linda said, a playful twinkle in her eye.

Damien and Linda continued their meeting, unfazed by the brief interruption. The discussion flowed smoothly, and despite the initial hiccup, they made significant progress.

As the meeting came to an end, Damien extended his hand. "Thanks for coming, Ms. Miller, and again, my apologies for the interruption earlier," he said sincerely, shaking her hand.

Linda smiled graciously. "Not a problem at all, Mr. Beckett. I look forward to our future discussions," she replied before making her way out of the conference room.

Damien couldn't help but smile as thoughts of Novalie filled his mind. "Novalie, Novalie, Novalie," he murmured to himself, a playful chuckle escaping his lips. Collecting his belongings from the conference room, he made his way towards the private elevator.

"I'm out, Vern," Damien said, popping into his assistant's office. Vern nodded in acknowledgment. "Alright, Mr. Beckett, have a good afternoon," Vern replied, returning his attention to his work.

Stepping into the elevator, Damien descended to the garage level. He slid into his car and, with a bemused shake of his head, wondered aloud, "Why does she always have to play games?"

Starting the car, he zoomed out of the parking garage, heading straight for Novalie's office.

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As Novalie and Damien continue to navigate the complexities of their personal and professional lives, they're about to discover that love, like the city they call home, is full of surprises. Thank you for joining them on this captivating journey and stay tuned for the next thrilling chapter! 💫🌟 #Romance #UnexpectedConnections #WattpadFamily