Where Our Paths Meet

Chapter 7: A Surprising Encounter

Alice's POV

The following day, Alice woke up with a sense of determination and excitement. She had spent the morning baking a batch of fresh cookies, hoping to surprise Charles and express her appreciation for the invitation to his office. She wasn't sure of his exact tastes, but she hoped that her homemade treats would make a good impression.

With a small box of cookies in hand and a hopeful heart, Alice made her way to Charles's office. As she entered the building, she was greeted by the reception desk.

"Good morning! I'm Alice Bennett. I'm here to see Mr. Harrington. I don't have an appointment, but I was hoping to drop by," Alice said, trying to sound as composed as possible.

The receptionist's eyebrows furrowed slightly. "I'm afraid you'll need an appointment to see Mr. Harrington. It's company policy."

Alice hesitated but decided to call Eleanor, Charles's assistant, who she had briefly met at the party. After a few rings, Eleanor answered.

"Hello, this is Eleanor. How can I help you?" came the curt response.

"Hi, Eleanor. It's Alice Bennett. I was hoping to drop off something for Mr. Harrington. I didn't realize I needed an appointment. Could you help me?"

There was a brief pause before Eleanor replied, "I'll take you up to his office. Please follow me."

Alice followed Eleanor through the sleek, modern office space. The corridors were lined with contemporary art and large windows that overlooked the city. Eleanor's silence and reserved demeanor made Alice feel a bit uneasy, but she tried to focus on her purpose.

When they arrived at Charles's office, Eleanor stopped and glanced at Alice before leaving. Alice took a deep breath and knocked gently on the door, then opened it and stepped inside.

The sight that greeted her was far from what she had expected. The once immaculate office was now a chaotic mess. Papers were scattered across the floor, files were piled haphazardly on the desk, and a sense of disarray hung in the air. Charles was standing in the middle of it all, his expression fierce.

"I told you not to disturb me! Can't you understand that?" Charles's voice echoed with frustration.

Alice's eyes widened, taken aback by the scene. Her initial surprise was quickly replaced by a mixture of concern and discomfort. She had never seen this side of Charles before. His usually polished appearance was now disheveled—his shirt was unbuttoned to reveal his toned chest, his tie was loose and hanging crookedly, his sleeves were rolled up, and his usually neatly combed hair was slightly tousled, with a stubborn lock falling across his forehead.

Alice stood there, momentarily mesmerized by the sight of him. The way his intense gaze and disheveled appearance seemed to command the room had a magnetic pull. She found herself caught in the moment, her thoughts scattered by the unexpected glimpse into his vulnerability. She shook herself from her reverie and scolded herself softly. Alice, this isn't the time to be lost in thought, she reminded herself. Clearing her throat, she managed a shaky but determined smile. "Surprise," she said, holding up the box of cookies.

Charles, still processing the unexpected intrusion, turned to look at her. The stern expression on his face softened, and a chuckle escaped his lips. "Well, this is certainly a way to lighten the mood," he said, his voice carrying a mix of relief and amusement. "I didn't expect a surprise like this today."

Alice's heart fluttered at his reaction. His chuckle, though unexpected, made her feel a little more at ease despite the chaos around them. The tension seemed to dissipate as Charles's expression shifted from frustration to genuine appreciation.