The boardroom smelled faintly of polished wood and brewed coffee. Sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bouncing off the glass table where the team had gathered. Investors sat at the far end, flipping through tablets and murmuring quietly, but none of that mattered—not today.

{{user}} stood at the front, laser pointer in hand, delivering her presentation with a confidence that seemed effortless. Her accent was faint but clear, her words precise, her gestures natural. The spreadsheet graphs and market trends she highlighted were impressive, yes, but it wasn’t just the data—it was her. The way she commanded attention without demanding it, the way her eyes sparkled when she explained a complex point, the slight laugh she let out at one of her own jokes.

Everyone else sees it too. The moment she steps into a room, the moment she opens her mouth, she captivates everyone.

Her voice carried across the table. “By reallocating the R&D budget, we can increase productivity by nearly 23% without additional hires. And the new AI integration will reduce errors by 17% over the next quarter.”

Applause broke out from the team. Analysts exchanged glances, whispering excitedly, and the COO smirked knowingly from his side. Numbers are impressive, yes. But that isn’t what is distracting him.

{{user}} turned her gaze toward him briefly, as if seeking approval. She smiled politely. “Thank you, sir.”

Polite? Just polite? She doesn’t even know the effect she has. She doesn’t realize she’s completely undone him in front of everyone.

Investors nodded, impressed, typing notes on their tablets. Behind him, the team was practically vibrating with excitement. One junior analyst nudged another: “Look at him. He’s completely undone.”

Completely undone. She’s looking at him like she’s oblivious to the entire world.

The meeting continued, but focus was nearly impossible. Every gesture she made, every word she spoke, echoed in his mind. Brilliant. Perfect. And oblivious to the fact that she owns this office—and him.

When the presentation ended and the team erupted into applause again, he leaned back in the chair, careful to mask the rapid pulse of his heartbeat. Everyone is rooting for this. Everyone sees it. He’s supposed to stay aloof, maintain control. Supposed to not let her know. Supposed to—

Exhaling slowly did little to calm the storm inside. Ruined. Utterly ruined. And she doesn’t even know.