The Plan

Elliot

Back in my office, the faint hum of the city outside was my only company. I closed the door behind me, took a seat at my desk, and flipped open my leather-bound notebook. Today wasn’t just another day...it marked the beginning of what I’d silently christened Operation Win Susan Back.

The plan needed precision, subtlety, and patience. Susan wasn’t someone I could just woo with flowers and grand gestures...not anymore. No, this had to be strategic.

I grabbed a pen, rolling it between my fingers, and started mapping out my approach.

Day 1–7: Rebuilding Trust

Step one was obvious: I needed to break through her defenses. She didn’t trust me...not after everything that had happened. And who could blame her? I left. I abandoned her when she needed me most. If I wanted her to believe in me again, I’d have to show her that I was no longer that impulsive, selfish boy.

Plan: Subtle acts of kindness, professional support, and being present. No pressure, no pushing...just showing her that I’m someone she can count on.

Morning coffee delivery to her office, with her favorite hazelnut latte.

Address any concerns she might have about her new role, personally. Gerald can take care of the paperwork, but I’ll handle her questions.

Make sure she sees me as someone reliable...not the flight risk I was ten years ago.

Day 8–15: Reminding Her of Us

The next stage would be to bring back the memories, the good ones. There was no denying the chemistry we’d once had...the way we laughed, the way we fit so perfectly together. If I could reignite even a flicker of that connection, I’d be one step closer.

Plan: Use nostalgia to my advantage.

Casual reminders of college days...mention shared experiences during conversations.

Invite her to a team outing where I know we’ll have a moment alone. Something reminiscent of the carefree times we once had.

Play her favorite song when she least expects it. That old jazz tune she couldn’t stop humming after we went to that open mic night...it’s still on my playlist.

Day 16–23: Breaking Down Walls

Susan’s walls were fortified, no doubt about it. But I knew her well enough to recognize that beneath the tough exterior, there was a woman who wanted to be loved. My goal was to reach that part of her.

Plan: Vulnerability. Show her mine and invite her to share hers.

Open up about why I left...completely. No holding back, no justifications. Just the truth.

Take her somewhere special, somewhere meaningful. A place where we can talk without interruptions.

Give her small, heartfelt gifts...not extravagant, just thoughtful. Things that show I’ve been paying attention all along.

Day 24–30: The Grand Gesture

This was where it would all come together. By the end of the month, I’d need to make my intentions clear...no games, no ambiguity.

Plan: Lay it all on the line.

Organize something unforgettable. A dinner? A weekend getaway? Something that screams this is us.

Tell her exactly how I feel, no filters. If she walks away after that, at least I’ll know I tried.

Show her the future I envision...one where she’s at the center of it all.

I leaned back, scanning the plan with a sense of satisfaction. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a start.

Of course, Susan being Susan, she’d fight me every step of the way. She’d question my motives, doubt my sincerity, and throw up every roadblock she could think of. But that was fine. I’d welcome the challenge.

Because this time, I wasn’t walking away.

I tore the page from the notebook, folded it neatly, and slipped it into my desk drawer. Thirty days to make Susan Hart fall for me again.

It was ambitious, maybe even impossible.

But if there was one thing I knew about myself, it was that I didn’t back down from a challenge. Especially not one that involved the woman who still had my heart.

****

Susan

The next morning, I stepped onto the executive floor with more resolve than I felt. My mind was a mess, tangled between the appointment letter I’d received and the growing realization that Elliot Prescott was once again pulling strings.

My office, situated conveniently next to his, felt like a calculated chess move. I knew better than to believe this was a coincidence. He wanted me close...wanted to ensure I was firmly within his line of sight.

Well, two could play this game.

I sent the email to Gerald early in the morning, requesting a meeting to discuss the offer, and barely twenty minutes later, his assistant informed me I could head to his office. I grabbed my notepad, smoothed my blouse, and made my way to his door.

“Come in,” Gerald called when I knocked, his tone as perfectly measured as always.

Pushing the door open, I stepped inside to find him seated at his desk, scrolling through a tablet. He looked up, his polished smile firmly in place. “Susan. Please, have a seat.”

I sat, crossing my legs and placing the letter on the desk between us. “I wanted to talk about this,” I said, keeping my voice calm. “It’s a great opportunity, Gerald, and I’m grateful, but I can’t ignore how abrupt it feels. My contract hasn’t even ended yet, and...”

“You’re wondering why now?” Gerald finished for me, setting his tablet aside.

“Exactly.”

He leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. “Ms Hart, your performance has been nothing short of exemplary. Your ideas, your dedication...they haven’t gone unnoticed. The timing might feel sudden, but the decision was made with the company’s best interests in mind.”

“And Mr Prescott?” I asked bluntly before I could stop myself.

Gerald’s lips twitched in what might have been amusement. “Mr. Prescott does take a keen interest in ensuring the company retains its best talent. But this wasn’t solely his decision. I, along with the senior team, fully endorsed it.”

I let out a slow breath, trying to process his words. “I appreciate the recognition, Gerald. I really do. But I have to ask...was Mr Prescott's involvement more personal than professional?”

Gerald’s smile softened, but his eyes didn’t give anything away. “Ms Hart, what I can tell you is that Mr Prescott values you, both as a professional and as someone who’s made a significant impact here. If you’re worried about undue pressure, I can assure you this is purely a professional decision.”

I nodded, though I wasn’t entirely convinced. “Thank you, Gerald. That puts things into perspective.”

“If you have any further concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out,” he said, standing as I rose to leave.

As I walked back to my office, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d only been given part of the story. Gerald might have reassured me, but Elliot’s handprints were all over this, no matter how subtly disguised.

Closing my office door behind me, I slumped into my chair, staring at the letter once more. My mind wandered to the dinner, his piercing gaze, the way he looked at me like I was the only thing in the room that mattered.

Was he playing a game, making me the prize?

But Elliot Prescott should know by now...I didn’t come with an instruction manual. If he thought he could win me over with grand gestures and clever moves, he had another thing coming.

I leaned back in my chair, a small, defiant smile tugging at my lips. Let him try. I’d been through worse than the likes of Elliot Prescott.