Simply You(Ongoing)

CHAPTER 3

In the hushed confines of the conference room, Yessenia’s irritation simmered beneath the surface. The sleek, modern space was awash with the soft glow of recessed lighting, but the atmosphere felt anything but warm. A digital clock on the wall ticked away the seconds with a rhythmic precision that only seemed to magnify Yessenia’s frustration. Her presentation, which she had meticulously prepared for weeks, had not gone as smoothly as she had hoped.

Matheo had arrived just as the meeting began, and though he had ostensibly been there to offer his insights, he had barely acknowledged Yessenia’s work. His presence, a shadow that loomed larger than life, had disrupted her focus. Matheo was the sort of person who commanded attention effortlessly. Tall and impeccably dressed, with an air of indifference that masked his sharp intellect, he had a reputation for being unapproachable, even downright aloof.

As the meeting drew to a close, the room emptied quickly, leaving just Yessenia and Matheo behind. The other attendees had offered polite nods and hasty goodbyes, their own curiosity piqued by the enigmatic figure who stood near the exit. Yessenia, her heart pounding, gathered her notes and prepared to leave, eager to escape the weight of Matheo’s disinterested gaze.

Matheo's gaze shifted to Yessenia as she moved towards the door. He offered a smile—a courteous gesture that did little to soften the steely glint in his eyes. “Yessenia, I just wanted to say that your presentation was quite impressive.”

His voice was smooth, almost too smooth, and carried a hint of genuine admiration that was incongruent with his earlier behavior. Yessenia, already seething from the meeting’s frustrations, found it hard to reconcile this compliment with the indifference he had displayed during her presentation.

“Thank you,” Yessenia replied curtly, her voice strained. The words were polite, but the underlying irritation was palpable. She could not forget how Matheo had barely glanced at her slides, how his questions had been more about finding fault than engaging with her ideas.

Matheo’s expression remained inscrutable as he extended his hand. “It’s always good to meet someone who can handle themselves so well under pressure.”

Yessenia hesitated for a moment before shaking his hand, her grip firm but her eyes cold. “I appreciate the feedback,” she said, her tone betraying none of the emotions roiling inside her.

Matheo nodded, his poker face intact. “I’ll see you around, then.”

With that, he turned and walked out, his stride confident and unhurried. Yessenia watched him leave, her anger flaring as she took in his retreating figure. The door clicked shut behind him, and for a moment, she was left alone in the quiet, sterile space of the conference room.

Yessenia’s mind raced. It was not just the meeting that had riled her; it was the way Matheo had effortlessly dismantled her confidence. She prided herself on her professionalism, but Matheo’s dismissive attitude had struck a nerve. She could not shake the feeling that he had not taken her seriously, and that made her seethe.

She packed up her materials with a sense of urgency, wanting to escape the confines of the room that had become a symbol of her frustrations. As she was about to leave, she heard the faintest rustle in the hallway outside—an unmistakable sign that someone was lingering nearby. Her frustration was further piqued by the thought of Matheo’s insincere farewell.

But as she stepped out of the room, she found Matheo leaning against the wall, seemingly engrossed in his phone. His gaze met hers as she exited, and for a brief moment, his expression softened into something more genuine. It was as if he had been waiting for her.

“Yessenia,” he said, his voice no longer carrying the polished veneer of the earlier encounter. “Can we talk for a moment?”

Yessenia’s eyebrows furrowed in surprise. “About what?”

Matheo gestured towards a nearby lounge area, his demeanor more relaxed than it had been. “I didn’t mean to come off as dismissive. I genuinely want to understand more about what you presented.”

Yessenia was taken aback. This sudden shift in Matheo’s attitude was disorienting. She had been bracing herself for a confrontation, not a genuine conversation. Reluctantly, she followed him to the lounge area, where they both sat down.

“What do you want to understand?” Yessenia asked, trying to keep her tone neutral.

Matheo looked at her with a thoughtful expression. “Your presentation was very insightful, but I sensed a lot of passion behind it. I want to know what drove you to these conclusions. What’s the story behind your research?”

The sincerity in Matheo’s voice caught Yessenia off guard. She had expected a critique, not curiosity. She took a deep breath, her anger slowly dissipating as she began to explain her work, the long hours she had dedicated, and the personal experiences that had shaped her perspective. As she spoke, Matheo listened intently, nodding and occasionally asking questions that showed a genuine interest.

By the end of the conversation, Yessenia found herself feeling a strange mix of relief and frustration. Matheo’s earlier indifference seemed to have been a façade, masking a deeper engagement with her work than she had initially realized.

“I’m sorry if I came across as dismissive earlier,” Matheo said, his voice softening. “Sometimes I forget that I need to be more considerate of how my actions are perceived. I’m genuinely impressed by what you’ve accomplished.”

Yessenia nodded, the last vestiges of her anger melting away. “Thank you for taking the time to listen. I appreciate it.”

Matheo smiled, and for the first time, Yessenia saw a warmth in his expression that had been absent before. “I’m looking forward to working together in the future.”

As they parted ways, Yessenia couldn’t help but feel a shift in her perception of Matheo. What had started as a confrontation had turned into a moment of genuine connection. In that brief exchange, she had glimpsed a different side of him—a side that was not just a formidable figure but also a person capable of understanding and empathy.

As she walked away from the conference room, Yessenia felt a newfound respect for Matheo. Their encounter had been a tumultuous beginning, but it had paved the way for a deeper understanding that would shape their future interactions. And though she was still processing the unexpected turn of events, one thing was clear: the story of Yessenia and Matheo was far from over.