Book 2: Cause All I See Is You (Jholet)

Chapter 2: New York

4 years later....

Under the cacophony of honking horns and the bustle of New York's crowded streets, a sleek, black car pulled up to the curb. The door opened, and out stepped a man, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit. He glanced upward at the towering glass building in front of him, the bold logo of a renowned magazine company gleaming from the entrance.

Straightening his jacket and adjusting his tie, he walked with purpose toward the revolving doors. Inside, the lobby was alive with motion—people rushed past each other, eyes fixed on their phones or in hurried conversation, while the hum of business filled the air. 

The man moved through the throng with practiced ease, his footsteps echoing faintly on the polished marble floor as he headed toward the elevator bank.

He entered the elevator alone, the soft chime of the doors closing behind him cutting off the din from the lobby. As the elevator ascended to the 14th floor, the faint hum of machinery was the only sound. His reflection stared back at him from the mirrored walls, calm and composed, yet with a flicker of anticipation in his eyes.

A soft ding signaled the elevator's arrival. The doors slid open, revealing a bustling office space. The 14th floor was a hive of activity—phones ringing, keyboards clacking, and the quiet murmur of voices discussing deadlines and layouts. 

Employees were scattered at their desks, deeply engrossed in their work, yet some still paused to offer polite nods as the man passed by. He returned each greeting with a brief smile and a curt nod, maintaining his focus as he wove his way through the maze of desks and workstations.

Finally, he reached a particular desk near the corner of the floor. Seated there was a woman, poised and elegant despite the flurry of work around her.

 She had the phone cradled between her shoulder and ear, jotting down notes with one hand, her brow furrowed slightly in concentration. Her desk was neat, save for a few scattered papers and a gleaming brass nameplate that caught the light. The man paused for a moment, watching her with a faint smile, before stepping forward to announce his presence.

"Good morning Jennie."

Jennie looked up from her notes, catching the familiar voice. She smiled slightly as she saw Francis standing in front of her, his presence polished as always.

"Good morning, Francis. You're in early today," she remarked, raising an eyebrow. "Are you looking for her?"

Francis nodded, his eyes casually wandering around the busy office floor. "Yeah. Is your boss already in?"

"Actually, she just arrived a little while ago." Jennie said, glancing toward the sleek glass door at the end of the hallway. She picked up the receiver, her fingers hovering over the dial. "Would you like me to inform her you're here?"

Francis raised a hand with a smile that bordered on playful. "That won't be necessary. I'll be the one to announce my arrival."