Leap OF Fate

Had Serene known that her life would be peaceful once she returned to Coast City, she would have flown back home immediately after graduation. It would probably have saved her countless days of loneliness and homesickness. However, she had a stubborn streak and was hungry to prove something for herself, not to mention there were few opportunities available for a newcomer like her.

Thankfully, Mary had taken her under her wings. As always, she had been her savior. This time, she recommended her to her brother Albert who just started a small IT company which focused on expense management. Having had previous exposure to project implementation, she got assigned to the Implementation Department.

How she loved this job. She gets to focus on working on a specific project, helping their clients in customizing their software and in training their employees. It gave her the right balance of challenge and excitement.

She was so happy with how her career was evolving, she barely noticed that half a year had already passed since she left Hyacinth Bay. Best decision ever, she would often say.

"Shen," Albert, Mary's older brother and her manager called her. "I need your help with something, can you come up to my office please so we can discuss?" Serene nodded and followed him.

"I'm sorry it is last minute. This project was to be handled by Alex, but his wife just gave birth this morning," the new surprised Serene but also felt happy to know about the good news. Albert just smiled at her reaction. "Since you've helped Alex with the research and preparation for Innovation Data Company, I'd like to ask you to take the lead on this implementation."

Serene's eyes shone with excitement. She has not led a project yet since she's yet to receive her project management certification but working closely with different project managers; she knew what the job entailed.

"One more thing," Albert cleared his throat and looked at her seriously. "You need to meet with the client tomorrow."

Serene eyes widened. She did not expect that her job as project manager would start right away, "So soon?". Albert just gave her a nod. "Let me know if you need any help, OK Shen?"

The following day, Serene drove early to beat the morning rush. Since Innovative Data's office is at the center of the business district, if she left home even just 10 minutes later, she'd definitely get caught in the traffic jam and would miss her appointment. Because they offer an expense management solution, she typically deals with people from either the Finance or the Administration department. For Innovative Data, she would work with the CFO and her staff. Madeleine, Innovative Data's CFO, is in her late thirties. She looked and is actually very smart. So were her staff, Natalie and Rose. They did the initial meeting in less than one hour. This meeting typically aimed at gathering and preparing requirements. This team was straightforward, organized and competent, Serene surmised. It already cut half of her job out for her.

After the meeting, Madeleine insisted they go to the Italian restaurant in the neighboring restaurant. Unlike their meeting where the atmosphere was very serious, their meal was the opposite.

She never imagined that Madeleine loved to throw punchlines every once in a while. Her laughter was also infectious.

After spending an hour eating and talking, Madeleine's team finally needed to head back to their office. They exchanged business cards and goodbyes.

She walked towards the elevator. When she saw that the opened elevator was going down, she hurried her steps.

"Down!" her voice slightly raised. The man inside the elevator pressed the hold button. Serene smoothly got in.

She's supposed to say "thank you" but stopped midway when she recognized the person she shared the elevator with. She wanted to step out, but the elevator already moved.

"Mr. Rain," She politely said. "Thank you." To which he simply gave a nod.

Serene watched the numbers of the small display change. She wanted it to move as quickly as possible.

Sometimes, the more you wish for something to happen, it's the opposite that happens. She wished that she just took the stairs. It's just 5 flights, anyway.

As more and more people entered the elevator, Serene had no choice but to move back. Justin was standing right behind her. Their distance was slowly becoming smaller and smaller. To make matters worse, she had nowhere else to move to.

She could smell the light cologne he had. It smelled musky and a little minty, but it was not overbearing. When the elevator door opened to the ground floor. She immediately got out of the elevator. She breathed out and walked towards the lobby. Her hand got pulled back, which had taken her aback.

She looked at the well-manicured hand that circled around her wrist up to the black suit that covered the arm. When her eyes finally reached the owner's face, she saw his smiling face.

"Ms. Ellis, let's go for a coffee." It was not a request. It was more of a command. He did not even wait for her to answer. He walked forward to the top end coffee shop that is on the ground floor while he continued to clutch her wrist.

She had no way to decline. Defeated, sat across him in a tiny corner of the coffee shop. "I didn't expect you to move so far." He looked at her as he brought his cup to his mouth.

"I'm from here." She saw him raise his brow and then placed his cup on the designated coaster. "I see." he said, then surveyed her face intently. "How have you been?"

"I'm doing well, thank you for asking Mr. Rain," she made sure that her responses were polite. After All this was her former CEO.

"Justin," Serene looked at him a little confused, so he added, "Call me Justin. You no longer work for my company so you don't have to be formal."

"OK".

Justin sat there intently looking at her, which made her self-conscious. She did not know where to look, so she just picked up her coffee cup and slowly sip from it. "Come back to Hyacinth Bay with me."