There's One Thing I Like About Him

Chapter 17

I stepped out of the meeting room and started looking for Aaron, but I couldn't see him at his desk anymore. I could feel the entire team watching me, but I ignored them and focused on finding Aaron. Where could he be?

"He's gone," Abby said, crossing her arms. Aaron couldn't just disappear; he's the best in the design team. Why did I drag him into my anger? He wasn't even the one who spilled the coffee. I ran towards the elevator and pressed the button for the first floor. While in the elevator, I couldn't shake the unease, wondering if I could still catch up with him. I made a huge mistake, and this might ruin everything we worked so hard for over the past few weeks. After a few minutes, the elevator doors opened, and I quickly rushed out.

As I hurried out of the elevator, my heart pounded in my chest, and a wave of anxiety washed over me. The lobby was bustling with people, but Aaron was nowhere to be seen. My mind raced with thoughts of what I would say to him if I found him—how I would apologize, explain my actions, and beg him to reconsider leaving.

I scanned the area frantically, hoping for a glimpse of his familiar figure. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted him heading towards the main entrance. I called out his name, but my voice was lost in the noise of the busy lobby.

Desperate, I pushed through the crowd, finally reaching him just as he was about to step outside.

"Aaron, wait!" I called out, my voice trembling with urgency.

He stopped in his tracks but didn't turn around immediately. When he finally faced me, his expression was a mix of hurt and frustration. It felt like the air between us had grown thick with everything unspoken.

"What do you want?" he asked, his tone cold, distant.

"I'm sorry," I blurted out, the words tumbling over themselves. "I didn't mean to take it out on you. You know I don't—this was all a huge mistake. Please, don't leave. We need you."

Aaron sighed, looking down at the floor. "It's not just about what happened today. It's everything, the way things have been. I don't know if I can keep working in this kind of environment."

My chest tightened as I realized just how serious he was. "I know things haven't been easy, but we can fix this. I'll make sure of it. Just give us another chance."

For a moment, he didn't respond, and I feared I had already lost him. But then he looked up, his eyes softening slightly.

"I don't know," he said, shaking his head. "I need time to think."

"Take all the time you need," I replied, relief washing over me at the possibility that he might not walk away for good. "Just... don't make any decisions right now."

He nodded slowly, then turned and walked out the door, leaving me standing there in the lobby, feeling the weight of my actions more than ever.

As I watched him disappear into the city streets, I knew I had a lot to make up for—not just to Aaron, but to the entire team. But at least there was still a chance to set things right, and I wasn't going to waste it.

I walked back into the building and headed towards the elevator. Just as I was about to press the "open" button, the doors suddenly slid open on their own. I was startled to see who was inside.

"Mr. Cliff," I said, my voice wavering as I tried to process the sight before me.

He stood there, tall and composed, his usual confident demeanor making the situation even more unsettling. His piercing gaze locked onto mine, and for a moment, I was at a loss for words.

"Why does it seem like you saw a ghost?" he asked sarcastically.

I forced a smile, trying to mask my unease. Should I tell him? I didn't want him to think the whole team was falling apart because of the project. I wanted to fix this before presenting the concept for the game we were developing.

Taking a deep breath, I decided to choose my words carefully. "Everything's under control, Mr. Cliff," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "There have been some challenges, but we're working through them. I'm committed to making sure the project stays on track."

"It better be, Trish. I'm trusting you because Ethan has nothing but positive things to say about you, so I'm expecting great results from your project," he said, his tone firm yet carrying a hint of encouragement.

I nodded, feeling the weight of his expectations settle on my shoulders. "Thank you for the trust, Mr. Cliff. I won't let you down," I replied, my resolve strengthening. This project meant everything to me, and I knew I had to make it succeed—not just for myself, but for the entire team.

"Anyway, I was just heading out to get some fresh air. Care to accompany me?" he asked, catching me off guard.

I blinked in surprise, not expecting the invitation. It was rare for Mr. Cliff to ask anyone to join him outside of a formal setting, and I wasn't sure how to respond. "Uh, sure," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady despite my surprise. "I'd be happy to."

As we walked toward the entrance, I couldn't help but wonder what this unexpected invitation meant. Was it a casual gesture, or was there something more behind it?

There's this sensation that's hard to shake—a mix of curiosity and apprehension. As we stepped outside and the cool air hit my face, I felt a strange tension hanging between us. The casual setting contrasted sharply with the gravity of our earlier conversation, and I found myself wondering if Mr. Cliff had something more he wanted to discuss.

And why did my heart skip a beat?

As we walked together, the sensation of my heart racing grew more pronounced. It wasn't just about the stress of the project or the weight of Mr. Cliff's expectations—it was something more personal. His words, his presence, and the unexpected opportunity to connect on a more personal level were stirring emotions I wasn't prepared for.

I tried to stay composed, but my mind kept wandering to the implications of our conversation. Was it his reassurance that touched me, or was it something about him that made me feel this way? The blend of admiration, relief, and the unexpected intimacy of the moment was causing this fluttering in my chest.