A fate for love

Chapter 7: His ease

The meeting was over, and Elina and the other managers were preparing to leave after the executives and CEO had departed. Just as Elina was about to go for the lunch break, Kevin's secretary approached her. Fredrick and the other team members looked at her with puzzled expressions.

"Ms. Elina, the executives want to know about your progress report on the last project," the secretary said.

Elina frowned slightly. "But that project wasn't from this branch," she replied.

The secretary nodded. "I understand, but they still want an update. Could you please follow me?" he requested politely.

Elina glanced at Fredrick and the others, who seemed confused. With a nod, she agreed and followed the secretary out of the room. 

She was with the secretary in the elevator, and the silence was palpable. Breaking it, she asked, "What's your name?"

The secretary turned back, looking at her. "Liam," he replied politely and then again turned back, looking at the front.

Elina nodded, then crossed her arms and asked, "Mr. Kevin sent you to ask for me, didn't he?"

Liam didn't respond immediately, but his silence was answer enough. Elina sighed and nodded. "So I was right."

Liam, trying to remain calm, said, "It would be better if you'd at least talk once." He slowly turned towards her as he spoke.

Elina nodded. "Yeah, I must now, since he has done this," she said, pointing towards him. Liam gulped, blinking his eyes as he cleared his throat.

"Um... how did you know it was him?" he asked.

Elina sighed again. "The project you mentioned, the executives already appreciated me for it. It was just the CEO who wasn't aware of it."

Liam slowly nodded, understanding. "Oh..."

Just then, the elevator doors opened, and they walked out. They reached the CEO's office, and Liam asked Elina to wait as he went inside. After a few minutes, he came out and asked Elina to head in.

As soon as she went inside, Liam sighed as he shook his head and waited outside.

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Elina entered quietly, while Kevin's heart raced as he took a look at Elina after so many years. He gulped, trying to control his emotions as he called her name. "Elina..."

Elina looked at him with cold eyes and bowed slightly. "Good afternoon, sir," she said.

Kevin blinked and gave an awkward smile. "It's fine, you don't need to be formal here."

Elina frowned. "Why is it like that?" she asked. "You're the CEO and I'm just an employee here, so I must speak to you formally."

Kevin realized the depth of her words and shook his head as he approached her. "I can understand how you feel, Elina, but I... I just want to explain—"

Elina raised her palm, stopping him. "There's no need for it, Mr. Kevin. Eight years ago, you didn't even bother to ask me how I was before coming to your delusional conclusions," she said.

Kevin nodded, desperate for her to hear him out, but Elina continued, "So why am I supposed to listen to you now?!"

Her words stung, and Kevin realized the weight of his past actions. Elina sighed, trying to control her emotions. "I suppose this is what you wanted to talk about, and I think I made myself very clear."

She bowed slightly and turned to leave. Kevin, desperate, grabbed her wrist, making her stop. She looked at his hand on her wrist and then at him. He gazed at her pleadingly.