Chapter 7

Keila sat at the long conference table, her fingers nervously tapping on the polished wood surface. The soft hum of the office air conditioner filled the otherwise quiet room. It was 9 AM, and Clyde was already late. Her eyes drifted to the clock on the wall, then back to her phone, hoping to see a message or an update. But there was nothing. She let out a sigh, trying to shake off the nervousness building inside her. 

She had barely slept last night, her mind replaying everything that had happened between her and Clyde the night before. The casual praise, the way he’d thanked her so sincerely for her ideas—it all felt like too much, too soon. She wasn’t sure if she was ready for this shift in their relationship. She had always kept her distance, knowing the professional boundaries that were meant to be maintained. But Clyde had made her feel… different, more than just a secretary.

As the minutes dragged on, Keila found her thoughts wandering again. She remembered the way Clyde had complimented her dedication, how his eyes had softened when they spoke. It wasn’t something she was used to. Clyde was known for his cold, distant demeanor, always prioritizing the company above everything else. But last night… he had been different. She couldn’t help but wonder if there was something more behind his words, something deeper than just professional appreciation. But she couldn’t dwell on it. Not now. She had a job to do.

The door opened suddenly, interrupting her thoughts. Clyde stepped inside, looking as composed as ever, though there was something in his expression that made him seem a little… off. His usual air of confidence was slightly tempered with something else—something that made Keila feel both curious and apprehensive.

“Good morning,” he greeted her, his voice low but steady. 

“Good morning,” Keila replied, trying to sound as calm as possible. She kept her gaze fixed on the papers in front of her, hoping to hide the nervous flutter in her chest. “I was just preparing the final documents for the proposal.”

Clyde nodded, his eyes briefly scanning the papers on the table before settling on her. “I appreciate you getting everything ready. I’ve been thinking about what you said last night… about adding that section on the company’s future direction.” He paused, as though measuring his words. “I think it’s a solid idea.”

Keila looked up, surprised by his genuine acknowledgment. “I’m glad you think so,” she said, a small smile tugging at her lips. She could feel the tension between them, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Instead, it felt like an unspoken understanding had developed—a shift that neither of them had anticipated.

Clyde walked to the head of the table, his usual authoritative presence filling the room. He sat down, picking up the proposal from the table and scanning the pages with a focused intensity. Keila watched him for a moment, noting the way his brow furrowed slightly as he reviewed her suggestions. It was rare to see Clyde so engaged, so thoroughly invested in the details of the proposal.

“What do you think about the timeline?” he asked after a beat, still scanning the document. “Is it realistic? I don’t want to overpromise or underdeliver.”

Keila hesitated for a moment, considering his question. “I think it’s ambitious, but it’s doable. If we push certain projects forward and make a few adjustments to the budget, we could definitely make it happen within the timeline. We might need to hire some additional support, though.”

Clyde looked up, meeting her gaze with a thoughtful expression. “I trust your judgment on this, Keila. You’ve been with the company long enough to know what works and what doesn’t. I’ll get the green light from the board to adjust the budget and start the hiring process. Your input is invaluable.”

Keila couldn’t help but feel a rush of pride at his words. She had always been diligent in her work, but hearing Clyde acknowledge her ideas so openly made her feel like an essential part of the team. It was a feeling she hadn’t experienced before, and it was both exhilarating and overwhelming. She wasn’t sure how to respond. She was used to being the quiet support, the person who stayed in the background while others took the spotlight. But now, with Clyde treating her as an equal, she found herself questioning her role in this dynamic.

“I’ll make the necessary adjustments,” Keila said, trying to keep her voice steady. “I’ll also contact the HR department about the additional hires.”

Clyde nodded, his focus now back on the proposal. But before he could speak again, there was a slight shift in his posture, a subtle change in the way he looked at her. Keila’s breath caught in her throat, and for a brief moment, the room seemed to shrink around them.

Keila knew it wasn’t just about the work anymore. There was something else between them, something unspoken that neither of them had addressed. It was the tension in the air, the way their eyes occasionally met and lingered for just a second too long. It was the small gestures, like how Clyde would occasionally lean in closer when discussing ideas, or how he would smile in that quiet, reserved way when she shared her thoughts.

She quickly turned her gaze back to the papers in front of her, trying to distract herself from the growing heat in her cheeks. But it wasn’t easy. The atmosphere had changed between them, and she could feel it like an electric charge in the air.

“So, Keila…” Clyde’s voice broke through her thoughts, his tone much softer than usual. “I wanted to thank you again for everything you’ve done. The company is lucky to have someone like you.”

Keila looked up, her heart skipping a beat at the sincerity in his voice. He wasn’t just thanking her as a secretary anymore; he was acknowledging her as a colleague, as someone who had earned his respect. It was more than she had ever expected from him. And for the first time, she wondered if maybe there was more to their relationship than she had initially believed.

Before she could respond, the door to the conference room swung open, and one of the junior managers stepped inside, breaking the moment. “Sorry to interrupt,” the manager said, glancing between Keila and Clyde. “But we need your approval on the revised marketing budget.”

Clyde straightened, his professional demeanor returning instantly. “Of course,” he replied, his tone firm once more. “Keila, let’s review this together after the meeting. I’ll be in touch later about the adjustments.”

Keila nodded, though she couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed by the sudden shift. She had been so caught up in the moment, so caught up in the change she felt between them, that it was hard to let it go. But she knew the nature of their work. There was little time for personal feelings to interfere. 

As the meeting continued, Keila did her best to stay focused. She was still aware of Clyde’s presence, the way he occasionally glanced at her, the subtle way he would address her when a question arose. It was as though, in those quiet moments, he was waiting for her input, valuing her thoughts more than ever before.

The morning passed quickly, and before long, the meeting wrapped up. Keila gathered her things, preparing to leave for her next task, when Clyde spoke again.

“Keila,” he called softly, as though hesitant to break the rhythm of their interaction. “We’ll have to continue working closely on the proposal. I appreciate your input today, and I’d like to keep this momentum going.”

Keila’s heart skipped again. She didn’t know whether to feel excited or nervous. But as she met his gaze, she saw something in his eyes—something that told her that their relationship, whatever it was, was no longer just about work.

It was something more.

As Keila stepped out of the conference room, her thoughts swirled in a mix of uncertainty and anticipation. What did Clyde’s words really mean? Was he acknowledging the shift between them? And if so, what would happen next? Only time would tell.

Keila walked out of the conference room, the soft click of her heels echoing through the hallway. The office, with its clean, modern design, felt quieter than usual. Despite the usual hustle and bustle around her, her thoughts were consumed by the conversation she’d just had with Clyde. His words had lingered, playing in her mind over and over again. He valued her input. He wanted to work closely with her. 

As she passed by her desk, she noticed her reflection in the glass windows, her own face mirroring the confusion she felt. She had always seen herself as a background player in this company. But today—today things felt different. The way Clyde had treated her, acknowledged her presence, made her feel like she was no longer just the secretary. She felt as though she had crossed an invisible line, and the question now was: where would it lead?

She exhaled sharply, sitting down at her desk, and began organizing the files that had been left on top of her inbox. The tasks ahead of her were already piling up, but her mind refused to focus on them. Every time she tried to concentrate on the spreadsheets or the proposals, her thoughts wandered back to Clyde. She was worried, unsure of how to navigate this new dynamic between them. 

The truth was, Keila had always admired Clyde from afar. He was powerful, driven, and respected by everyone in the office. His reputation as a no-nonsense boss was well-earned. But over the past few months, as they’d worked together more closely, she had begun to see another side of him. He wasn’t just the calculating CEO everyone thought he was. Clyde was thoughtful, attentive, and surprisingly approachable when it came to work. She’d seen glimpses of it during their late-night meetings, when he would listen to her ideas, never dismissing her contributions, even when others had.

She snapped back to the present as her phone buzzed on the desk, a new message flashing on the screen. It was from Clyde.

**Clyde:** *“Keila, I need your help with the final revisions on the proposal. Can you come to my office in 20 minutes?”*

Her heart skipped at the message. The tension between them, though unspoken, was undeniable. She couldn’t help but wonder why he had specifically asked for her input on the final revisions. Was it just business? Or was there something else at play? Her mind raced with possibilities, but she quickly shook off her doubts. She couldn’t afford to second-guess herself. 

Taking a deep breath, she straightened her posture and grabbed the necessary files from her desk, walking toward Clyde’s office. The door was slightly ajar, and she could hear faint sounds coming from inside—a low murmur of his voice, the rustle of paper, and the occasional tap of his keyboard. She knocked softly before pushing the door open, stepping inside.

Clyde was sitting at his desk, the same determined focus in his eyes that she had come to expect. But there was something different in his demeanor today. His gaze flickered up from the document in front of him as she entered, and for a brief moment, his expression softened. 

“Keila,” he greeted her, standing up and gesturing to the chair in front of him. “Thank you for coming. Have a seat.”

She nodded, feeling a small flutter of nervousness in her stomach. She sat down across from him, carefully placing the files on the desk, trying not to look too nervous. She could feel the weight of the moment, the unspoken tension hanging in the air between them. Clyde cleared his throat, sitting back in his chair, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence was heavy, charged with an energy that made Keila’s heart race.

“So,” Clyde began, his voice steady but laced with something deeper. “I’ve been thinking more about the proposal, and I want to make sure we’re on the right track. I trust your judgment, Keila.” He leaned forward slightly, his gaze intense. “You’ve been more than just a secretary to me these past few months. You’ve become a valued collaborator.”

The words hit her like a wave, sweeping over her with unexpected force. She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. Instead, she simply nodded, trying to keep her composure. She had always known that Clyde was professional, but this… this was different. He was treating her as an equal. As someone who mattered. 

Clyde didn’t seem to notice her stunned silence, continuing with the discussion of the proposal. His words were focused, measured, as if nothing had changed. But Keila could feel the shift. The way his gaze lingered on her, the slight change in his tone when he spoke her name—it was all telling her that something had changed between them.

She tried to push aside the growing feelings of confusion. She was here to work, not to wonder about Clyde’s intentions. She quickly focused on the proposal, pointing out areas where adjustments could be made, offering suggestions on timelines and deliverables. Clyde listened intently, his attention on her every word. His body language was open, relaxed—nothing like the cold, distant boss he had once been.

When the meeting finally concluded, and they had made all the necessary revisions, Clyde stood up and walked toward the door. Keila followed, still trying to wrap her head around the shift in their interaction. She felt a strange mix of excitement and anxiety as she followed him out of the office.

“You’re doing great work, Keila,” Clyde said, his voice quiet but sincere. “Keep it up.”

Keila glanced at him, her heart racing again. “Thank you, Clyde. I appreciate that.”

The moment hung in the air between them. Neither of them said anything more as they reached the elevator. As the doors opened, Keila stepped inside, and Clyde followed her in, his presence suddenly filling the small space. The elevator ride felt like an eternity, the air thick with unspoken words.

When they reached their floor, Keila stepped out first, quickly walking toward her desk. But before she could sit down, she heard Clyde’s voice again.

“Keila, wait.”

She turned around, her breath catching in her throat. Clyde was standing just a few feet away, his gaze steady and unwavering. There was a look in his eyes that made her heart skip again. It was as though he was about to say something important—something that could change everything.

“Is everything okay?” she asked, trying to keep her voice calm.

Clyde’s expression softened, and for a moment, Keila thought he might say something personal. But instead, he nodded. “Yes. I just wanted to say… I’m glad you’re part of this team. I’ve never had someone who could challenge me and make me rethink things the way you do.”

Keila felt a blush creep up her neck. “I’m just doing my job,” she replied, trying to downplay the impact his words had on her.

But Clyde smiled, a small, genuine smile that made her heart flutter. “You’re doing more than that.”

As he turned to walk away, Keila stood frozen in place, trying to process what had just happened. She could feel the weight of his words in her chest, but her mind couldn’t catch up with her emotions. What did this mean? Where was this all going? For the first time, she realized that she wasn’t just working for Clyde—she was beginning to care about him in a way that she hadn’t expected. But she wasn’t sure if he felt the same.

What would she do next?

The next chapter begins to unravel the complexities of their relationship further, as Keila continues to navigate the fine line between professional respect and the deepening personal connection with Clyde.