Eternal Scent Of Heaven.

Chapter 10

It was another busy day for Marcus at his office. Being a CEO was sometimes really hard and tiring, but he always kept a straight face and never really showed. He was going through some papers, when Ben knocked and entered his office- his expression remaining impassive despite the interruption.

"Morning, Ben. What's on the agenda today?" Marcus asked, his tone businesslike.

Ben hesitated for a moment, noticing the fatigue lurking beneath Marcus's controlled demeanor, but decided to proceed with the news. "We have visitors coming in from the finance company in about two hours. They want to discuss potential collaboration on the new project you've been working on."

Marcus nodded, his mind already shifting gears to prepare for the meeting. "Alright, make sure everything is set up in the conference room. I'll be ready to meet with them when they arrive."

Ben paused, sensing there might be more to address. "Is there anything specific you want me to prepare for the meeting? Any documents or data you need?"

Marcus leaned back in his chair, contemplating for a moment before responding. "Pull up the latest projections and reports on the project. I want to make sure we're presenting a clear picture of our goals and potential for collaboration."

Ben nodded, noting the request. "Got it, I'll have everything ready for you."

Marcus again buried himself under the paper works, his brows furrowed in concentration. "Marcus, can I have a word?" Ben asked.

Marcus looked up, a touch of surprise flickering in his eyes at the interruption because he thought that Ben would have already left. "Sure, Ben. What's on your mind?"

Ben hesitated for a moment, gathering his thoughts before plunging ahead. "I just wanted to talk to you about something. I've been watching you work non-stop for weeks, barely taking a break. You're pushing yourself too hard, man."

Marcus's expression remained guarded, but a hint of curiosity sparked in his eyes. "What do you mean?"

Ben leaned against the edge of Marcus's desk, his voice tinged with frustration. "I mean, you're burning yourself out, Marcus. You need to take a break, recharge your batteries. You can't keep going like this indefinitely."

Marcus sighed, a rare moment of vulnerability slipping through his usual facade of toughness. "I appreciate your concern, Ben, but there's just so much to do. I can't afford to slow down now."

Ben shook his head, his tone firm. "And what good will it do if you run yourself into the ground? You're no good to anyone if you're exhausted and stressed out all the time. Trust me, I've seen it happen before."

Marcus fell silent, contemplating Ben's words. Despite his initial resistance, he couldn't deny the truth in his friend's observations. "Maybe you're right, Ben. But I don't even know where to begin."

Ben grinned, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Leave that to me. Consider it a mandatory break, CEO's orders. We'll start by grabbing lunch outside the office, somewhere far away from these walls."

Marcus couldn't help but chuckle at Ben's insistence. "Alright, you win. But only if you promise not to tell anyone about this moment of weakness."

Ben held up a hand in mock surrender. "Your secret's safe with me, Marcus. Now, let's go before you change your mind."

With that, Marcus allowed himself to be pulled away from his desk, grateful for a friend who wasn't afraid to challenge him, even when it meant confronting his own stubbornness.

----TIME SKIPS (AT THE RESTAURANT)----

As Marcus and Ben settled into a private booth at the restaurant, Marcus couldn't shake the feeling of guilt gnawing at him for taking time away from the office.

"Ben, I really appreciate you dragging me out of there, but we have that meeting in hand. We need to eat quickly and get back," Marcus grumbled, his impatience evident in his tone.

Ben chuckled, unfazed by Marcus's whining. "Relax, Marcus. We have plenty of time. Besides, even CEOs need to eat, you know."

Marcus rolled his eyes, but couldn't help but crack a smile at Ben's easygoing demeanor. "Yeah, yeah, I know. It's just hard to switch off sometimes, you know?"

Ben nodded sympathetically, understanding the weight of responsibility that Marcus carried on his shoulders. "I get it, Marcus. But trust me, a little break every now and then won't hurt. In fact, it might even make you more productive in the long run."

Marcus sighed, reluctantly conceding to Ben's wisdom. "I guess you're right. It's just hard to shake off the feeling that I should be doing something more productive with my time."

Ben reached across the table, placing a reassuring hand on Marcus's shoulder. "Hey, you're allowed to enjoy yourself every once in a while, you know. You work hard enough as it is. Let's just enjoy this meal and worry about the meeting later."

Marcus nodded, a sense of gratitude washing over him for his friend's unwavering support. "Thanks, Ben. I needed this."

With that, he allowed himself to relax. Savouring the moment, despite his hectic schedule.

After having their lunch and hearty conversation with each other, they decided to head back. Just few minutes left for the meeting to begin, they headed to the conference room. Their footsteps echoing in the hallway, Marcus's mind was already racing ahead, mentally preparing for the meeting with JOE MILLER- the youngest CEO of the well-known finance company.

As Marcus and Joe entered the room, there was a palpable sense of anticipation in the air. They were both well-known figures in their respective industries, and this meeting marked the first time they would come face to face.

Marcus extended his hand with a confident smile, his demeanor composed yet approachable. "Joe, it's a pleasure to finally meet you in person."

Joe returned the gesture, his own smile mirroring Marcus's. "Likewise, Marcus. I've heard a lot about you and your work in the real estate industry."

As they took their seats, there was a brief moment of mutual appraisal, each CEO sizing up the other with a mixture of curiosity and respect.

"So, Marcus, tell me more about this project you've been working on," Joe said, leaning forward attentively.

Marcus launched into a detailed explanation, his words flowing smoothly as he outlined the goals and potential for collaboration. Joe listened intently, nodding along as Marcus spoke, his interest clearly piqued by the opportunity before them.

Once Marcus had finished, Joe leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Impressive, Marcus. I can see why this project caught our attention. I believe there's a lot we can achieve together."

Marcus nodded in agreement, a sense of excitement building between them as they discussed the possibilities. "Absolutely, Joe. I think our companies have a lot to offer each other. Together, we can take this project to new heights."

Their conversation flowed seamlessly from there, ideas bouncing back and forth as they delved deeper into the details.

By the time the meeting drew to a close, there was a sense of trust between them, a mutual respect forged through their shared vision for the future.

As they parted ways, Marcus couldn't help but feel a sense of optimism about the partnership that lay ahead, grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with someone of Joe's caliber. And as Joe walked out of the room, he couldn't shake the feeling that this meeting marked the beginning of something truly special.

Yessss. I know this chapter is a bit of boring. Beleive me m khud bore ho ja rhi thi 😭

Par kya karu Joe ka comeback karna tha. Tbh now the real story will start.

Bas thora aur chapters wait karna parega. I promise the wait will be worth it😌

Do vote and comment. aap logo se encouragement nhi milegi toh aur kisse milegiii. 🩷🎀

LOVE YA AND TAKE CARE CUTIES>3