Her Redemption

28

As they continue their conversation in the meeting room, Rachel starts to feel a sense of discomfort. She can't quite put her finger on it, but something about the way Leo is looking at her is making her feel uneasy. Suddenly, one of the members in attendance, a tall man dressed in an impeccable suit, interrupts their conversation with an invitation to join him upstairs for a celebratory shot. Rachel is taken aback, but Leo quickly agrees, and before she knows it, they're making their way up to the roof.

As soon as they step out of the elevator, the noise and energy of the party hits her like a wave.

The room they were in was grand and opulent, like something out of a fairytale. The walls were adorned with intricate gold moldings and the ceiling was painted with frescoes of cherubs and angels.

The chandeliers that hung from the ceiling sparkled like diamonds and cast a warm, inviting light throughout the room. The floor was made of polished marble, and the furniture was upholstered in plush velvet. Large windows let in natural light, and the view of the city below was breathtaking.

Wait Staff dressed in crisp white uniforms moved around the room, offering glasses of champagne to the guests. Rachel took a glass when one of the servers approached her and took a sip, feeling the bubbles tickle her nose. She felt a little out of place among the wealthy and powerful guests.

As she looked around the room, she noticed the burly guards standing at the corners of the room. They were dressed in black suits, and their expressions were stoic, but as she watched, she noticed one of them struggling to keep a straight face as he tried to stifle a chuckle. They looked comical in their attempts to look serious, and she smiled to herself.

People are laughing and chatting, drinks are flowing, and music is playing. Rachel feels out of place and awkward, and she can tell that Leo feels the same way. They make their way to the bar, where the tall man from earlier hands them each a shot glass. Rachel downs hers quickly, hoping that the alcohol will help her relax.

But it doesn't. If anything, she feels even more on edge. The tall man starts chatting her up, making suggestive comments and trying to touch her arm. Rachel is trying to be polite, but she's clearly uncomfortable.

The man that comes to meet Rachel is tall, standing at about 6 feet with a lean build. He has dark, slicked-back hair and a chiseled jawline. His appearance is striking, but there is something off-putting about him. He seems to invade personal space as he approaches Rachel, standing too close for comfort. He introduces himself as David, with a sly grin and a hint of arrogance in his voice. He exudes an air of confidence and charm, but it is clear that he is used to getting what he wants. Rachel can't help but feel uncomfortable around him, sensing that he is not someone to be trusted.

As the man began to invade Rachel's personal space and make unwanted advances, Leo quickly stepped in, his expression serious and his tone firm.

"I think it's time for us to head back to the office," Leo said to Rachel, his voice firm and authoritative. "We have a lot of work to catch up on."

"I'm sorry, but we have a lot of work to catch up on," he said, his body positioning itself protectively in front of Rachel. The man looked taken aback, a flash of annoyance crossing his face before he quickly composed himself. "Of course, of course," he said, holding up his hands in surrender. "I understand completely. It was nice meeting you, Rachel." He gave her a lingering look before turning and walking away, leaving the two of them alone.

He firmly states that they have a lot of work to catch up on, and that they should be getting back to the office. Rachel can see the fire in his eyes, and can tell that he is genuinely concerned for her safety.

David who was slightly taken aback by Leo's sudden protectiveness, backed off with a shrug. Rachel is both relieved and confused by Leo's actions. She can't help but wonder what is going through his mind, and why he feels the need to protect her like this..

Walking back to the elevator, Rachel noticed that the man's gaze was still fixed on her. Despite her efforts to avoid eye contact, she could feel his creepy stare following her every move.

As they make their way back to the elevators, the tension between them is palpable. They both reach for the button at the same time, their hands brushing against each other's. Rachel can feel her heart racing, and she can tell that Leo is equally affected by the close proximity.

As Leo and Rachel's eyes met, there was a clear affection in his gaze. Despite the professional setting and the task at hand, it was clear that there was a deeper connection between them. The tension between them was palpable, and it was almost as if they were the only two people in the room. As they continued to stare at each other, they both began to apologize at the same time, adding to the awkwardness of the moment. They both quickly turned away, trying to shake off the intense feeling that had just passed between them.

As Rachel gathered her things and prepared to leave the building, Leo approached her and wished her a safe journey and a good evening. She flashed him a smile, but as she said goodbye, her face flushed with embarrassment. She takes a deep breath of the fresh evening air as she walks down the street, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She pulls out her phone and opens the Uber app, typing in her destination.

Within minutes, a car pulls up to the curb and she gets in, sinking into the comfortable seat and letting out a sigh. As the car drives through the busy streets, she closes her eyes and lets her mind wander, grateful for the chance to escape the stuffy conference room and the overwhelming presence of her boss.