Meant to Collide

7. Breaking the Silence

Sky rushed home, his footsteps echoing in the spacious, luxurious villa that combined elements of both tradition and modernity. The house was unique...visually stunning with its blend of sleek design and cultural accents, yet there was an emptiness to it. Peace, happiness, care, love, something essential was missing, a void he couldn't ignore.

He set his bag down and switched on his vintage music player, the soft crackle of old vinyl filling the room. A sharp clap of his hands brought the lights to life, casting a warm glow over the polished interiors. He poured himself a glass of wine, stepping out to the poolside as the cool night air met his skin. The stillness of the water mirrored his reflection as he sipped the wine, each sip slow and thoughtful. Moments later, he slipped into the bathtub, eyes tracing the curves of the moon as it hung low in the sky. His mind wandered deep into the quiet of the night, grappling with unspoken thoughts and the weight of his choices.

Morning arrived swiftly, and Sky found himself back at the office. The atmosphere was tense as the meeting room buzzed with murmurs. Sky stood before his team, sharp and direct as always.

"We're creating a new online page," he declared. Ava's gasp broke the silence. "A new page? Apart from the Unity Corp page?"

"That's right," Sky affirmed, his voice unyielding. "I want to open a new page. It'll be called 'Unity Soft,' focusing on current trends and the interests of today's generation. Our target audience? Teens."

As he flicked on the projector, a slideshow illuminated the room. Sky's tone was matter-of-fact as he outlined his vision, his eyes scanning the room, searching for the spark of creativity among his team.

"I'm all ears for ideas," he said, standing back with an expectant look. The room buzzed with quiet discussions, but Jules and her colleagues remained silent, uncertain. A tension hung in the air, thick and heavy.

"Why so quiet?" Sky prompted, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "Speak up." One employee hesitantly suggested coffee shop content, but Sky wasn't satisfied. "What's unique about it?" he pressed. "You haven't thought this through, keep it to yourself until you do."

Another suggested travel content, but Sky dissected the idea with rapid-fire questions. "Interesting. What kind of travel? Sea or mountain? Day or night?"

Ryan, sitting beside Sophie, leaned over to mutter sarcastically, "He asks for ideas and expects same-day delivery. Is this even possible?"

Sophie shot him a warning look and smacked him lightly, trying to quiet him down, but Sky had already caught on. He stared at Sophie, who responded with an awkward, forced smile, trying to hide the unease that had settled over the room.

As the meeting dragged on, Sky began to explain his vision in meticulous detail, leaving everyone weary and drained. The room grew tense and distracted as Sky continued speaking, his expectations becoming more overwhelming.

Jules, who had remained silent throughout the meeting, finally spoke up. Her voice cut through the tension. "Pardon me, but it's hard to come up with ideas in this kind of atmosphere." Sky's eyes shifted to her, his sarcasm sharp. "Would you like me to dance or sing so that you may be more relaxed?" he shot back.

Jules kept her composure, responding politely, "I certainly don't want that, but I'm asking for a short break."

Ryan whispered in horror, "Prepare a body bag. Jules is dead any minute now."

Sky's gaze locked on Jules, scrutinizing her. "You're the new employee, aren't you?" Before Jules could respond, Sophie jumped in. "Yes, this is Jules Pa..."

"I'm asking her, not you," Sky interrupted, his tone cutting. He turned his attention back to Jules, who stared back, a mix of fear and uncertainty in her eyes.

"Jules Parker," she answered quietly. "Alright then," Sky said, pausing as if to let the weight of his next words sink in. "Everyone else can take a break, except for Jules. She'll meet me in my cabin now."

Sky's voice was final, and without another glance, he walked out of the room. Jules felt her heart sink, her anxiety spiking as her colleagues dispersed. The fear and uncertainty of what awaited her weighing heavily on her mind. But whatever it was, she knew this conversation was about to take a turn she never expected.