Sealed with a kiss (WomanxWoman)

22

"Mr. Feingold will see you now," Richard's secretary informs me as I wait, somewhat tense, in the elegant lobby of the top floor of the Feingold Building. At the gala, he'd assured me his door was always open, and now, standing here, I'm grateful yet a bit uncertain. I know I could have gone to HR, but something held me back. I didn't want to create complications for Charlotte. I wasn't even sure how things worked over there-did they write everything down, keep records of every little interaction? Maybe it's just my own paranoia, but I couldn't take that chance.

Taking a deep breath, I step into Richard's office. The space is even more impressive than I imagind. It's vast, bright, and modern, with sleek lines and a minimalist elegance that speaks of understated power. In the center of the room stands a large, beautifully crafted wooden desk, commanding attention. The surrounding furniture is as stylish as it is contemporary, radiating professionalism. Carefully chosen decor elements-a few potted plants and tasteful artwork-give the room a sense of calm, balanced perfectly against the backdrop of a wide window offering an expansive view of the cityscape. It's a breathtaking sight, like being at the top of the world.

Richard sits in his chair with his back to me, finishing up a phone call. The moment he turns around and spots me, his face lights up with a warm smile that reaches his eyes-a rare, genuine warmth. His gaze is respectful, something I've noticed about him before but never really appreciated until now. It's unusual, the way he treats even the most junior employees with the same level of respect he shows his executive team. It's part of what I admire about him.

"Jenny, it's wonderful to see you," he says, his smile broadening as he stands and reaches out to shake my hand, his grip firm and reassuring. "I'm glad you took me up on my offer to come by anytime."

"Thank you, sir-Richard," I correct myself, trying to mirror his warmth. "I hope I'm not interrupting by asking for a meeting on such short notice."

He waves the concern away with a dismissive gesture, smiling. "Oh, nonsense. I told you my door was always open, and I meant it. Now, what can I do for you?"

I take a seat, feeling a faint surge of nerves. My hands feel clammy, and I try to keep my expression steady, taking a deep breath before I speak. "Well, I actually have a request." My voice wavers slightly. "I really love my job here, and this place-" I gesture to the room around us, "-and I want to stay. But... I would really appreciate your help in moving to another department."

His brow furrows, and I see the confusion in his eyes. "You want to...?" He hesitates, clearly thrown. "I thought... but why? Has something happened? Charlotte's team is one of the best, and from what I understand, you've thrived there. You're one of our rising stars."

The words catch me off guard. A rising star? I feel my heart clench a little; I hadn't expected that. Gathering my thoughts, I try to formulate a response, aware that I need to be careful. I don't want him suspecting the real reason, not now. Taking a slow, deep breath, I finally manage to respond.

"Nothing has happened," I say, hoping my voice sounds more confident than I feel. "Everyone's been great. It's just... I want to learn more, to gain experience in other areas. Charlotte's been an incredible mentor, but I think it would be beneficial for me to work with different people, to gain fresh perspectives."

I feel the lie settle heavily in the room, and my stomach twists. I've never been good at lying, and Richard's perceptive gaze doesn't make it any easier. He seems to study me for a moment, considering my words, as if he's looking for something hidden between the lines.

"I see," he says slowly. "And you're sure this has nothing to do with Charlotte? I know she's a bit... intense with her team, but she's highly respected."

"Absolutely," I reply, the words slipping out quicker than I'd intended. "She's been fantastic. And that's actually why I came to you instead of HR. I don't want to damage her reputation in any way. Charlotte is fully dedicated to this company, and she pours her heart and soul into everything she does. I would never want to undermine that."

My voice trembles just a little, and I swallow, hoping the emotion doesn't betray me. I can feel the tension mounting inside me as I talk about Charlotte, my emotions simmering just below the surface. The last thing I need is to break down now.

Richard leans back, his expression softening. "I understand. That's very thoughtful of you, and I'm glad you came to me with this. You're a valuable asset to our team, Jenny, and I'd hate to see you leave us over something we could address together. Give me a few weeks to think about this and figure out where to place you. In the meantime, if you're interested, you could work temporarily with Marco's team. One of his team members went on maternity leave a bit earlier than expected, and they could use some help managing her projects. I'll speak with HR and let them know you'll be assisting them at my request."

A genuine smile breaks across my face, one I can't hide even if I wanted to. "Thank you so much, sir-I mean, Richard," I correct myself again, a bit flustered.

He chuckles. "It's nothing, Jenny. And please, no more 'sir.' Just Richard."

As I stand to leave, I feel a bittersweet pang in my chest. This was what I wanted-an opportunity to gain some distance, to separate myself from Charlotte long enough to let go of these feelings that have tangled themselves around my heart. But as I turn toward the door, the thought of not seeing her every day, of not working closely by her side, brings a wave of unexpected sadness.

"Thank you... Richard," I say softly, giving him one last grateful smile before I step out of his office. The door closes behind me, and I walk away, a strange mix of relief and longing twisting within me. I got what I came for, but at the cost of something I can't yet put into words.