Lisa & Rokko - Missed Chances (english version)

Chapter 18

The door to Rokko's office flew open and Lisa stormed in, her phone still in her hand. Her face was pale.

"We've got a problem," she said, clearly shaken. "A big one."
Rokko looked up from his screen. "What's going on?"

"That was our main investor. He's freaking out. Some rumors about our supposedly unfinished collection got to him, and now he's getting cold feet. He wants to see the collection and the finished campaign in two days. Otherwise, he's considering pulling out."
Rokko leaned back and ran a hand through his hair. Two days. That was impossible. But saying it out loud wasn't an option. "Okay," he said calmly. "Then he'll see something in two days."
"How is that supposed to work? Hugo's collection isn't the problem, but we're nowhere near having a matching advertising campaign."

"Then I'll work through the night. And the next one. We'll figure it out somehow."
She shook her head decisively and stepped closer to his desk. "Not alone. I'll help you. I've held back for too long. It's time for me to make this right."
Rokko briefly lifted his gaze, then shook his head. "No. I can handle this alone." His voice sounded calm, almost cool, as if he wanted to immediately ward off any closeness.
"Rokko," she replied quietly, "you can't do this on your own. And you know it."
Lisa didn't back down. She held his gaze, stronger than he expected. There was a determination in her eyes that left no room for excuses.
Rokko felt something inside him give way, even though he didn't want it to. He took a deep breath, finally nodded once and muttered, "Alright. Go get a coffee then. It's going to be a long night."

The hours flew by. Hannah and Hugo had also stayed, and together they transformed the conference room into a command center. Hours passed. One employee after another headed home for the night. Creative chaos took over: sketches and sticky notes scattered across the large table.

"What about... 'New Horizons'?" Lisa suggested.

Hugo, sitting across from her and brooding over a layout, shook his head. "Too cliché."
After another hour of silent concentration, Hannah looked up. "It's about getting a second chance. For the fashion, for the company."
Rokko and Lisa looked at each other.
"Second Chances," Lisa whispered. It immediately felt right.

"That's it," Rokko agreed, a tired smile flickering across his face.
It was long past midnight when the first concept was ready. Hannah and Hugo packed up their things in exhaustion.
"Get at least a little rest," Hannah said worriedly before closing the door behind them.
Now they were truly alone. Outside, the sky was slowly beginning to change from black to a deep gray.
"I need to step out for a moment, get some fresh air," Rokko said, rubbing his eyes. "Otherwise, I'll fall asleep standing up."
"Okay," murmured Lisa, who was bent over a folder. "I just want to quickly check something here."

Rokko walked around the block once, breathed in the cool morning air, and returned after a few minutes. The office was quiet. He found Lisa at the desk, asleep, her face resting on an open file. A faint smile stole onto his lips, and a brief, unexpected warmth ran through him, for which he mentally slapped himself the next moment.
He couldn't let her sleep like that. Gently, he pulled his scarf from his neck, folded it, and carefully slid it under her head, careful not to wake her.

For a moment he stood still, then collapsed into his chair, crossed his arms on the desk and rested his head on them. Just close my eyes for a moment, he lied to himself, then he would get up again.

The next thing he heard was a soft clatter and a cheerful voice.
"Good morning, you two!"
Rokko's eyes shot open. Helga stood in the doorway, holding a tray with two steaming coffee cups. Only now did he notice that Lisa had grabbed his hand in her sleep and that her head was resting on his arm. The sun was already streaming through the windows.

Lisa and Rokko jerked apart. They cleared their throats simultaneously, their eyes meeting for an embarrassed moment before Rokko quickly grabbed one of the coffee cups.

Only now did they realize how many hours had passed. After the first sip of coffee and a short break, they continued working.

That afternoon, the campaign "Second Chances" was finished. Together with Hannah and Hugo, they presented it to Friedrich and Max. The approval was universal.

The next evening, they sat across from the investor, tired but full of adrenaline. Their presentation was charged with a contagious passion. When the investor finally stood up, shook their hands and said, "I'm impressed. Let's move forward," an immense weight lifted from them.

After everyone except Lisa and Rokko had left and the door clicked shut behind them, a sudden, almost palpable silence settled over the conference room.

"We did it!" Lisa burst out, her eyes shining with joy.

"Yes... we really did it," Rokko replied, a small smile flickering across his face.

Suddenly he pulled her into his arms. Lisa pressed herself against him, laughing softly as she let out a deep breath.

Rokko dropped all caution and just held her tight. For this brief moment, only the emotions mattered, not the restraint that usually stood between them.
Slowly they parted, though their eyes lingered on each other.
Seconds stretched until they finally gave in, their lips meeting in a cautious yet unmistakable kiss.
For a brief moment, everything was perfect, everything seemed to stand still, as if they had the world to themselves.
But then he suddenly pulled away, taking a step back. "That... was a mistake," he said in a cold voice. Then he hastily fled the room.

Lisa remained where she was. Only moments ago she had felt invincible with happiness, and now nothing but disappointment spread inside her.