Under New Management

Chapter 4: After Hours

LThe day had been nothing short of gruelling. From the tension-filled project planning session to the endless barrage of emails and impromptu meetings, Mia felt as though she'd been pulled in a thousand different directions. By the time five o'clock rolled around, most of the office had already emptied, the usual hum of activity dwindling into a rare moment of quiet. But Mia was far from done.

She stared at the glowing screen in front of her, the proposal Jason had critiqued still open, her notes scattered around her desk. She knew she needed to revise the plan, factoring in the contingencies Jason insisted on, but her mind felt sluggish, weighed down by the events of the day.

Taking a deep breath, she pushed herself back from her desk and stood up. "Coffee," she muttered to herself, the need for caffeine outweighing her exhaustion. She grabbed her mug and headed for the break room, hoping the walk would help clear her head.

The office was eerily quiet as she made her way down the corridor, the usual buzz of conversations and ringing phones replaced by the soft hum of the building's ventilation system. It was strange, she thought, how the office felt so different after hours—almost like a completely different place, where the stress of the day could momentarily be forgotten.

As she entered the break room, Mia was surprised to find the lights already on. She hadn't expected anyone else to still be here. But then she saw him—Jason, standing by the coffee machine, a steaming cup in his hand. He looked up as she walked in, his expression unreadable.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Mia hesitated, the impulse to turn around and leave warring with the need for caffeine. She couldn't very well back out now without it looking awkward, so she forced herself to move forward, keeping her steps as casual as possible.

"Burning the midnight oil?" Jason's voice broke the silence, his tone surprisingly neutral.

Mia nodded, reaching for the coffee pot. "Something like that," she replied, trying to keep her voice even. "Deadlines don't wait."

Jason watched her as she poured her coffee, his gaze assessing but not unkind. "I didn't mean to pile on more work," he said, his tone softer than she'd expected. "I know today was... intense."

Mia glanced at him, surprised by the hint of apology in his voice. "Intense is one way to put it," she said, unable to keep the edge out of her voice. "But it's nothing I can't handle."

Jason nodded slowly, taking a sip from his cup. "I don't doubt that. You've proven that you're more than capable, Mia. I just need to make sure we're all aligned and that the project goes off without a hitch."

Mia studied him for a moment, trying to reconcile the man in front of her with the hard-nosed CEO she'd been clashing with all week. There was something different about him now—he seemed less guarded, more human somehow. Maybe it was the late hour, or the fact that they were alone, but for the first time, she saw a glimpse of the person behind the title.

"I understand that," she said, her tone softening slightly. "I just wish there was more trust. We all want the same thing—to see the company succeed. Sometimes it feels like you're pushing us harder than necessary."

Jason's eyes met hers, and for a moment, she thought she saw a flicker of something—regret, perhaps? But it was gone as quickly as it appeared. He set his cup down on the counter and crossed his arms, leaning back slightly. "I know I've been demanding," he admitted, his voice low. "But there's a lot riding on this. Not just for the company, but for me as well."

Mia raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "For you?"

Jason hesitated, as if weighing whether or not to continue. Finally, he spoke, his voice tinged with a seriousness that caught Mia off guard. "When I took this job, I knew it wasn't going to be easy. Greystone has a strong legacy, but it's been stagnant for too long. I was brought in to make sure we don't just survive, but thrive. And that means making tough decisions, pushing people—sometimes beyond what they think they're capable of."

Mia considered his words, sensing the weight they carried. She'd never really thought about the pressure Jason must be under, the expectations placed on him to turn the company around. It didn't excuse his behaviour, but it did give her some insight into what drove him.

"I get that," she said, her voice softer now. "But don't forget that you're working with people, not just numbers on a spreadsheet. We all want to succeed, but we also need to feel valued, like our efforts mean something."

Jason looked at her, his gaze steady. "You're right," he said finally. "And maybe I've been too focused on the end goal to see the bigger picture. I'll try to keep that in mind."

Mia was taken aback by his admission, the tension between them easing slightly. She hadn't expected him to agree with her, let alone acknowledge her point. It made her wonder if there was more to Jason than the hard-edged exterior he presented.

They stood in silence for a moment, the only sound the quiet hum of the coffee machine. Mia took a sip of her coffee, the warmth of it soothing her nerves. She felt a strange sense of camaraderie in the air, an unspoken understanding that maybe, just maybe, they were more alike than they'd realized.

"I should get back to work," Jason said eventually, breaking the silence. He picked up his cup, offering her a brief nod. "Thanks for the chat, Mia."

Mia nodded back, still processing the unexpected turn in their conversation. "Anytime," she said, watching as he turned to leave.

As Jason walked out of the break room, Mia couldn't help but feel a shift in the dynamic between them. It wasn't a complete thawing of their icy relationship, but it was a start—a small crack in the armour they both wore so tightly. And for the first time since he'd arrived at Greystone, Mia wondered if working with Jason Whitmore might not be as impossible as she'd thought.

She stayed in the break room a little longer, letting the silence wash over her as she sipped her coffee. When she finally returned to her desk, she felt a renewed sense of determination. The day had been long, and the road ahead was still uncertain, but there was a flicker of hope now—a belief that maybe, with time, they could find a way to work together.

And maybe, just maybe, there was more to Jason Whitmore than met the eye.