Under New Management

Chapter 13: A Friendly Gesture

Mia arrived at the office early the next morning, her mind still tangled in the events of the previous night. The almost-kiss with Jason had left her feeling restless, her thoughts spinning with questions she didn't have the answers to. She hadn't been able to sleep, her mind replaying their conversation, the way his hand had brushed against hers, the intensity in his eyes. It had been a fleeting moment, but one that felt like it had changed something between them.

She shook off the thoughts as she settled into her desk, reminding herself of the task at hand. There was no time to dwell on emotions; they had a project to save. Mia opened her laptop, diving straight into the revised marketing strategy. She reviewed the latest updates, made a few tweaks, and prepared for the morning meeting with Jason and the rest of the team.

As she was lost in her work, a knock on her desk jolted her back to reality. She looked up to see Emily standing there, holding two cups of coffee and a mischievous grin. "Morning," Emily said, sliding one of the cups toward Mia. "Thought you could use this."

Mia smiled, grateful for the gesture. "You're a lifesaver, Em. Thanks."

Emily took a seat, watching Mia with a knowing look. "You okay? You look... I don't know, like you've got a lot on your mind."

Mia hesitated, debating whether to confide in Emily about the almost-kiss. But the words caught in her throat; she wasn't sure she was ready to talk about it, not when she was still trying to make sense of it herself.

"I'm fine," Mia said, forcing a smile. "Just busy, you know. The usual."

Emily nodded, but her expression was sceptical. "You sure? Because you've been working nonstop lately, and I'm starting to worry that you're going to burn out."

Mia appreciated the concern, but she couldn't afford to slow down now. "I'm fine, really. Just trying to keep everything on track."

Emily gave her a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. "Well, just remember to take care of yourself too. And if you ever need to talk, I'm here."

Mia nodded, grateful for the support. "Thanks, Em. I mean it."

They were interrupted by the sound of Jason's voice carrying down the hallway, directing people to the conference room. Mia took a deep breath, finishing her coffee before grabbing her notes and heading to the meeting. She spotted Jason at the front of the room, under already deep in conversation with a few department heads.

Their eyes met briefly, and Mia felt a jolt of something—anticipation, maybe, or a lingering tension from the night before. But Jason quickly looked away, his focus shifting back to the task at hand. Mia took her seat, her resolve hardening. Whatever had happened between them, it couldn't distract her from what needed to be done.

The meeting began, with Jason outlining the latest adjustments to their approach. He was as focused as ever, his voice steady and commanding as he walked the team through the updated plan. Mia found herself nodding along, impressed by his ability to cut through the noise and keep everyone on track. For all their differences, there was no denying that Jason was good at what he did.

As the meeting wrapped up, Jason turned to Mia. "Can I see you in my office for a moment?"

Mia nodded, gathering her things and following him out of the conference room. Her heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing with the possibilities of what he might say. Was he going to bring up last night? Or would they pretend it never happened, burying it under the weight of their professional responsibilities?

When they reached his office, Jason closed the door behind them, gesturing for Mia to sit. He leaned against his desk, crossing his arms as he looked at her. There was a brief, awkward silence, the air thick with unspoken words.

"I wanted to thank you," Jason said finally, his voice unexpectedly soft. "For everything you've done. I know I've been pushing hard, and I haven't always communicated well, but I see how much effort you're putting in. It hasn't gone unnoticed."

Mia blinked, caught off guard by his sincerity. "Thank you," she said, unsure of what else to say. "I'm just doing my job."

Jason shook his head, his expression earnest. "It's more than that, Mia. You've stepped up in ways that most people wouldn't. You're not just managing your team; you're leading them. And that's not something I take lightly."

Mia felt a warmth spread through her, Jason's words striking a chord she hadn't expected. For so long, she'd been focused on proving herself, on showing Jason that she could stand toe-to-toe with him. Hearing him acknowledge her efforts, her leadership, was more validating than she'd realised it would be.

"Thanks," Mia said, her voice steadier now. "That means a lot."

Jason gave a small nod, but there was something else in his eyes—an unspoken question, a lingering tension that neither of them had addressed. Mia could feel it, the charged undercurrent of their almost-kiss still hanging between them. She wanted to ask him about it, to clear the air, but the words wouldn't come.

Instead, Jason cleared his throat, shifting the conversation. "Also, I thought you might like this," he said, reaching behind his desk to pull out a small box. He handed it to her, his expression guarded. "Just a little something I thought you'd appreciate."

Mia took the box, her curiosity piqued. She opened it to find a sleek, leather-bound notebook with her initials embossed on the cover. It was elegant, professional, and undeniably thoughtful.

"Jason," Mia said, her voice catching. "This is... thank you. You didn't have to do this."

Jason shrugged, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I noticed you're always jotting things down on loose papers. Figured it might help you keep everything in one place."

Mia ran her fingers over the smooth leather, touched by the gesture. It wasn't just a practical gift; it was a sign that Jason had noticed the small things about her, the details that most people overlooked.

"Thank you," she said again, meeting his gaze. "Really."

They stood there for a moment, the tension between them softer now, edged with something warmer, something closer to understanding. Mia could feel the words she wanted to say bubbling up, the questions she'd been holding back—but before she could speak, there was a knock on the door.

"Jason?" One of the department heads poked his head in, looking apologetic. "Sorry to interrupt, but we've got that call with the suppliers in five minutes."

Jason nodded, the brief moment between him and Mia slipping away. "Right. Thanks, Paul. I'll be right there."

Mia took that as her cue to leave, slipping the notebook into her bag as she stood. "Thanks again, Jason," she said, offering him a smile. "And if you ever need anything, you know where to find me."

Jason watched her go, his expression thoughtful, as if he wanted to say more but couldn't find the words. "I'll keep that in mind," he said finally, his voice low.

Mia left his office, the notebook in her bag feeling heavier than it should. She couldn't quite pinpoint the emotions swirling inside her—gratitude, curiosity, a cautious hope that maybe things were changing between them. Whatever it was, it felt significant, like a step toward something she couldn't yet define.

As she returned to her desk, Mia opened the notebook, running her fingers over the crisp, blank pages. It was a small gesture, but it felt like a turning point—a recognition of her efforts, a sign that Jason saw her not just as a colleague but as an ally. And for the first time in a long while, Mia felt like they were truly in this together.

The path ahead was still uncertain, but Mia knew one thing for sure: she wasn't alone. She had Jason's respect, his support, and maybe even his friendship. And as she set the notebook on her desk, ready to dive back into work, she couldn't help but feel that, whatever happened next, they were ready to face it together.