Simply You(Ongoing)

CHAPTER 1

Yessenia Mei de Vera stood in the gleaming marble lobby of AzureTech Enterprises, her eyes scanning the polished surroundings with a mixture of awe and disdain. The office was a testament to corporate grandeur—an expansive space bathed in natural light, with sleek glass panels, contemporary art, and an air of effortless sophistication. Yessenia was acutely aware of the contrast between her own casual attire—a simple blouse and trousers—and the tailored suits of the executives bustling around her. She had made the trip to deliver a proposal for a potential client, but her internal apprehension was about to be overshadowed by something entirely unexpected.

As she reached the reception desk, she could feel her pulse quicken. The stakes were high, and she needed to make a good impression. Her fingers clutched the leather portfolio that held her proposal. She had been preparing for this pitch for weeks, meticulously refining every detail. However, the anticipation of the meeting was soon eclipsed by a jarring interruption.

“Yessenia Mei de Vera?” a deep voice called out behind her. The tone was familiar, yet it carried an edge of authority that made her freeze.

She turned slowly, her gaze meeting the intense blue eyes of Matheo Grey Álvarez. The very name was enough to stir a cocktail of emotions within her. Matheo, the CEO of Grey Enterprises and, more significantly, her former rival in a long-standing corporate feud. The sight of him, impeccably dressed in a dark navy suit, was an immediate reminder of the battles they had fought over market share and industry dominance.

Matheo’s smirk was a subtle challenge, as though he relished the chance to confront her again. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Yessenia’s composure quickly returned. She straightened her posture and met his gaze with equal determination. “And I didn’t expect to see you either, Matheo. What brings you to AzureTech?”

“Business, of course,” he replied smoothly. “Just like you, I assume.”

She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “Indeed. I’m here to present a proposal to the team. And you?”

“Same. I have a meeting scheduled with the board,” Matheo said, his eyes briefly flicking to the large digital clock mounted on the wall. “Seems our schedules aligned rather inconveniently.”

Yessenia raised an eyebrow. “Inconveniently?”

“Yes,” he said, crossing his arms. “I thought I’d managed to avoid you for a while.”

She felt a spark of indignation. “Is that so? I wasn’t aware you were in the habit of dodging your competitors.”

Matheo’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. “I prefer to focus on my own projects rather than engaging in old rivalries. But it seems fate has other plans today.”

“Fate, or perhaps just poor timing,” Yessenia replied, her tone as cool as the marble floor beneath her feet.

Matheo chuckled softly, a sound that seemed both genuine and guarded. “Well, let’s make the best of it. I assume you’re here to make a significant impression.”

“Certainly,” Yessenia said, her eyes narrowing slightly. “And I trust you’ll be doing the same.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Of course. After all, it’s not every day we cross paths.”

The tension between them was palpable, a complex blend of rivalry and unspoken history. Their last encounter had been less than amicable—a heated debate over a merger that had ended with both parties stubbornly refusing to yield. The encounter had solidified their antagonistic relationship, but now, faced with this unexpected reunion, Yessenia couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to it than mere competition.

Before she could delve further into her thoughts, the reception desk buzzed, and a young woman in a navy-blue uniform approached. “Ms. de Vera, we’re ready for you in the conference room.”

Yessenia gave a small nod and turned to Matheo. “It looks like our time is up. Best of luck with your meeting.”

“And to you with your proposal,” Matheo responded, his eyes briefly softening before his professional mask slipped back into place.

As Yessenia walked towards the elevator, she could feel Matheo’s gaze on her. She resisted the urge to look back, focusing instead on the task at hand. The elevator ride up was a blur, her mind racing with the implications of this chance meeting. The corporate world was small, and their paths were bound to cross again. But the question remained—what did this new encounter mean for their ongoing rivalry?

She reached the conference room, taking a deep breath before stepping inside. The team from AzureTech awaited her, their expressions a mix of curiosity and expectation. Yessenia squared her shoulders and approached the head of the table, her nerves momentarily dissipating as she slipped into her professional persona.

As she began her presentation, she tried to push thoughts of Matheo to the back of her mind. Yet, she couldn’t help but replay their brief exchange, trying to decipher the meaning behind his words and that infuriatingly charming smile.

For now, Yessenia had to focus on the task at hand. But as she spoke, she couldn’t shake the feeling that this meeting was only the beginning of something far more complex. The business world was about to get a lot more interesting, and Matheo Grey Álvarez was bound to play a significant role in.