A CEO's Heart Bargain

CHAPTER 15

Hours passed as Felicity and Atticus delved into the intricate details of the plan to expose the truth and reclaim Felicity's family company. The dimming daylight outside the office windows signaled the onset of evening. Felicity, seated beside Atticus, went through the documents, charts, and strategies meticulously.

"Atticus, I think we should focus on these key points when addressing the board," Felicity suggested, pointing to specific sections of the plan.

Atticus, nodding in agreement, acknowledged, "You're right. These are the vulnerabilities we need to exploit. We have to be strategic and make sure every move is calculated."

As they continued their collaboration, the synergy between them was palpable. Felicity appreciated Atticus's insight and expertise, and Atticus admired Felicity's determination and sharp mind.

In the midst of their focused work, Atticus's secretary, Simon, discreetly entered the office with a stack of papers. However, upon witnessing the intimate collaboration between Felicity and Atticus, he froze in his tracks. His eyes widened, caught off guard by the scene display before him.

Felicity, busy in the task at hand, didn't immediately notice Simon's entrance. Atticus, however, sensed the sudden shift in the room and looked up. Seeing Simon's surprised expression, Atticus arched an eyebrow but maintained his composure.

"Simon, is there something you need?" Atticus inquired, his tone business like.

Simon, recovering from his initial shock, stammered, "Uh, Mr. Atticus, I... I just brought in the documents you requested."

Atticus motioned for Simon to place the papers on the desk. "Thank you, Simon. We're in the middle of something here. You can go back to your desk."

Simon, nodding awkwardly, quickly exited the office, leaving Felicity and Atticus to exchange bemused glances.

"I think we might have given him a bit of a shock," Felicity remarked, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

On the other hand, Simon, still reeling from the unexpected sight in Atticus's office, retreated to his desk with a mix of disbelief and amusement. The mere idea of his seemingly composed boss engaged in such an intimate collaboration left him in a state of mild shock.

As he settled back at his desk, the smirk that played on Simon's lips betrayed the amusement he couldn't contain. The image of Atticus working closely with a beautiful woman, allowing her to delve into his papers and charts, was a spectacle that deviated significantly from the usual corporate decorum.

Simon thinking about the woman's feature being familiar, it's like he saw it already, a minute thinking his eyes widened to realize who is it.

"The William & Co. heiress!" He said, the picture of the woman he saw on the article before.

Unable to resist the urge to tease, Simon decided to capitalize on the situation. He approached Atticus's office again, this time knocking on the door with an exaggerated politeness.

"Mr. Atticus, my sincerest apologies for the intrusion earlier. I should have knocked, but I didn't want to interrupt the... important work," Simon said, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Atticus, meeting Simon's gaze with a knowing look, chuckled. "No need for apologies, Simon. We're here to work, after all. Anything you need?"

Simon, feigning innocence, replied, "Just ensuring I won't walk in on any more unexpected collaborations, Mr. Atticus."

Felicity, catching onto the playful banter, couldn't help but smile. "Don't worry, Simon. We'll try to keep the surprises to a minimum."

Simon, still smirking, bowed slightly and retreated to his boss Office.

____________

As the clock struck 9 in the evening, the ambient glow from the city lights filtered through the windows of Atticus's office, casting a soft radiance on the paperwork strewn across the desk. Felicity and Atticus, realizing the lateness of the hour, exchanged glances that conveyed a shared acknowledgment—it was time to call it a day.

His gaze shifting from the documents to Felicity. "It's already late, and we can continue this tomorrow."

Felicity, feeling a mixture of exhaustion and satisfaction, nodded in agreement. "Yeah right, Atticus."

Atticus stood up, stretching slightly to alleviate the stiffness from hours of focused work. "Let's go," he offered, a courteous gesture that hinted at the growing familiarity between them.

Together, they exited the office, the quietness of the dimly lit hallway accentuating.

Calmness that settled over the office building after a day of bustling activity. The elevators chimed as they arrived on the executive floor, ready to take Felicity and Atticus to the ground level.

As they waited for the elevator doors to open, Felicity couldn't help but reflect on the day's events. Her step mother's audacity to really claim her father's company.

The elevator doors opened, and Felicity and Atticus stepped inside. The gentle hum of the descending elevator enveloped them, creating a cocoon of privacy within the confined space. Atticus pressed the button for the ground floor, and the descent began.

The elevator reached the ground floor, and the doors slid open to reveal the grand lobby of the building. The security personnel greeted them with nods as they passed through, heading towards the exit.

In the dimly lit hallway, Atticus motioned towards the car waiting by the entrance. A subtle smile played on his lips as he opened the passenger door for Felicity, a gesture that combined professionalism with a touch of chivalry.

Felicity, appreciating the courtesy, gracefully settled into the plush leather seat. Atticus circled around the car and took his place in the driver's seat. The car's engine purred to life, and they smoothly glided out of the parking lot, merging into the labyrinth of city lights and traffic.

Atticus, confidently holding the steering wheel, smoothly maneuvered through the cityscape. The lights of the city played across the car's sleek surface, bringing an air of sophistication and calm to the vehicle's interior. The evening breeze, filtering through the partly open windows, carried the faint scents of the city.

The city lights wove a lively tapestry on the dark evening sky as Atticus's car glided effortlessly through the busy streets. Felicity sat at ease beside him, the rhythmic hum of the engine providing a soothing backdrop to their silent reflections.

However, as Atticus directed the driver onto a different route, curiosity prompted Felicity to speak up.

"Atticus, I thought we were going home." Felicity inquired, her voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and surprise.

Atticus, sitting comfortably in the car, turned to her with a charismatic smile. "Well, Felicity, considering the late hour and the fact that we've worked through dinner, I thought it would be a good idea to grab a dinner before going home."

They strolled across the parking lot, the sounds of their footsteps mingling with the distant city soundscape. The evening air felt crisp, and Felicity couldn't help but appreciate the serenity that enveloped them as they approached the entrance of the restaurant.