Whisper Destiny

Chapter 52

~ Natasha ~

I left a heavy sighed as I made my way back to my office after the grueling meeting with the Executive Leadership Committee. Those meetings were always a challenge, filled with unspoken tension. Being both young and a woman in a room full of seasoned leaders in a field dominated by male, often felt like a double-edged sword; they rarely took me seriously, dismissing me as some spoiled brat playing at leadership. But I knew my worth and I wasn't about to let their condescension undermine me. That's why I always maintained a hard exterior, whenever I'm in the office.

As I reached my office, I glanced at my watch. It was nearly three o'clock, and I still hadn't had lunch. My stomach growled in protest, echoing the frustration I felt. I sighed again, letting the negative vibes out from my system.

"Harper, please reschedule my 3:30 to 4:00," I said as I reached my assistant's desk. My voice was clipped, but Harper was used to it by now.

"Sure, boss," she replied with a nod, already tapping at her keyboard. I appreciated how seamlessly she handled everything, knowing I could trust her to take care of the details.

I moved into my office, planning to grab a quick bite before my next meeting. My thoughts were still travel back to the discussion during the meeting, their skeptical faces and half-hidden smirks, when something on my desk caught my eye—a paper bag from my favorite sushi restaurant. I blinked, momentarily taken aback. An unexpected warmth surged through me, dissolving the tension in my chest. My mood shifted, the frustration of moments ago dissipating like morning mist under the sun.

"Harper... did my mother drop by just now?" I called out. It would be just like her to stop by unannounced, lunch in hand as her subtle way of checking in.

"Hmm, no?" Harper replied, following me as I walked into my office.

I stopped short, my gaze landing on the neatly wrapped package sitting on my desk. "Then, who is this from?" I asked, confusion mixing with a growing curiosity.

"Oh, that's from Mrs. Ortiz. She stopped by while you were in the meeting with the ELC," Harper explained. The mention of her name made my heart skip a beat. Catherine rarely came here without a scheduled appointment. Usually, she'd have someone else drop off breakfast for me. The fact that she came in person stirred a mix of concern and intrigue.

"Why didn't you call me?" I asked.

Harper hesitated for a moment. "She didn't want to interrupt your meeting, and she said she was in a hurry. There's a flight she needed to catch," she said.

"A flight? She didn't tell me anything this morning." I whispered, more to myself than to Harper. The word lingered in the air, heavy with confusion and a knot forming in my brow.

"Did she say anything else?" I pressed, the curiosity burning through the layers of my composure.

Harper offered a smile. "No, just that she'd call you later, and she wanted me to make sure you ate your lunch."

"Okay, thanks," I muttered, as I moved to the sofa with the sushi in hand and sat down. I stared at the neatly packed meal, my thoughts swirling. Catherine is always full of surprises, wasn't she?

There was a note on top of the lunch pack, the handwriting elegant and cursive:

'Hi Tash,
Something unexpected came up, and I have to leave for an urgent business trip. Let me know when you're free—I'll call you. Enjoy your lunch.

Catherine.'

A warmth spread through my chest as I read her words. It was such a simple gesture, yet it spoke volumes. My fingers brushed over the delicate script, lingering for a moment as I felt the unspoken connection between us.