"Oh God!"
"The CEO is back!"
"Hey, don't shout! He'll hear you!"
"It's true he's back! And he looks even more handsome than before!!!"
"Our eyes are being blessed!"
"Stop exaggerating! He's our boss, for crying out loud!"
"So? We should appreciate what's in front of us~"
"There's no doubt the director drives women crazy. If only we worked among men, there wouldn't be so much fuss, right?"
"He's so handsome... huh?! What were you saying?"
"..."
"No... nothing."
Inside the Healman company, many employees peered out in surprise at the entrance, seeing that the CEO was back. This naturally caused quite a stir as everyone prepared for work.
After the news of his accident, they had been informed that the director would be absent for a few days to recover. However, no one knew exactly what had happened to him. This led to rumors starting to spread within the company, and naturally, some began to wonder if he would return soon, given his physical condition.
Many high-ranking executives and investors were enthusiastically hoping that his health was not in the best condition, which would make it difficult for him to continue working.
It was common, after all; the Healman company was known for its ruthless managers and department heads. There were many stories from workers recounting their bad experiences there.
"Boss, it seems your presence is causing quite a spectacle."
Secretary Chen was walking beside Nathan through the common area, both subjected to numerous gazes. Some approached and greeted them shyly, while others simply lowered their heads in greeting. Others, looking from certain angles, simply ignored them.
Although Nathan had been preparing for this type of reaction, having all eyes on him was still oppressive and suffocating. He was doubting if he could truly maintain the role he was given.
"They're disgusting. All those stares," Nathan murmured with a look of mistrust.
"You'll have to get used to it, boss. It's a recurring thing."
Once in his office, after Secretary Chen left, Nathan let out a sigh of relief. He took his time to contemplate his office and inspect all the information within it.
Something had been bothering him recently: the feeling that there was something darker behind his accident. And he was convinced that the main threat lay within the company. He had to start investigating.
He began by looking through the furniture, where, apart from numerous awards and diplomas, there were only more and more documents.
With his right hand, Nathan pulled up the desk chair and, once seated, began to gaze out at the exterior from the imposing windows. From that spot, he could see everything happening in the company.
'How convenient.'
...
Far from the Healman Pharmaceutical company, there was a café renowned for its good sweets.
One of the truths that its frequent customers concealed was that the only truly good thing about the place was indeed the desserts, as the coffee was not pleasant at all.
The staff, on the other hand, was very friendly and kind, which is why many still chose to go to the café to support them.
In this place were John, Linda, and Lucian. The three had managed to meet up between work to chat and catch up.
Lucian had ordered a crème brûlée with cranberry juice, while John decided to just eat ice cream. Linda, on the other hand, was placidly eating her Tiramisu with a doppio coffee. Both Lucian and John looked at her with surprise and concern.
"Hey... You're not going to get indigestion later, are you?" John, with his arms crossed, gave Linda a cautious look.
"Yes... Are you sure you're okay?" Lucian added.
"Well, yes. I don't understand what the problem is at all." Indifferent, Linda just continued eating without any concern. "The coffee is good."
"..."
The other two could only watch as their friend drank something they considered poisonous.
"Well, I guess everyone has their tastes..."
"That's right! She probably likes things with particular flavors. You know, her palate most of the time is disgusti- Ouch!?"
Linda had slapped John on the head. He wondered when he would learn not to speak so freely. Her gaze, however, remained indifferent.
"Okay, let me see if I got this straight." Linda put down her coffee. "Your 'friend' whom you hadn't seen for over five years suddenly appears in your life because he had an accident that you couldn't ignore. Therefore, you go to see him, your stomach gets butterflies again, so you decide to lie because at the same time you felt it was unfair how he used to ignore your feelings, and now he believes you, and you find yourself involved in a relationship with the current CEO of one of the most important pharmaceutical companies on the continent. Isn't that right?"
"Well, you said it all," Lucian replied resignedly. "That's why I don't know what to do anymore. Now that he really believes me, how am I supposed to continue?!"
Desperation was evident on his face, and Linda, as a good friend, certainly couldn't ignore it. With a sigh and a look of acceptance, she patted Lucian on the back.
"It's okay. You'll figure something out when the time comes. Although if his memories were to return... I think you'd be screwed."
If there was one thing that characterized Linda's personality, it was her maturity and her stoic way of acting. However, her brutally honest nature was also remarkable.
"Yes... you'd really have a lot of problems if his memories came back, and even more so if there's someone who knows both of you and knows that you actually have nothing to do with him. Are you sure no one knows?" She kept reasoning.
"...Linda, you should at least give me hope right now." Linda just shrugged her shoulders and sighed, and Lucian, who was eating his sweet, decided it was better to only consider her first words.
'I'll deal with it later; it's better that way. Otherwise, I think I'll die sooner or later from so much worry.'
"Hey..." As if to get his attention, John turned to Lucian. "Ultimately, you know you have to tell us if he hurts you or does anything, okay?" Along with John, Linda also nodded her head in agreement.
This was what mattered most to Lucian. Maybe they were terrible at comforting their friends, but at least they were there for him, and he knew he could trust them.
"Yes, I know. As always." Lucian was smiling at that moment, which made the other two do the same.
"Well, I'm glad we caught up, but we have to go back to work soon." John, who, as it was already stated, was tortured at his job and therefore felt anxious about it, broke the tender moment. He couldn't stop thinking about what his boss might yell at him if he arrived late.
"Okay, but let me order something first." Linda began to raise her hand to get a waitress's attention.
"Excuse me!"
"???"
"?"
"One more coffee, please!"
"Nooo!" Both Lucian and John screamed.
....
Nathan was preparing to attend his first general meeting.
Secretary Chen was always by his side to cover any inconvenience if necessary. The same scene repeated itself. Several eyes on him, judging or gossiping, but all eyes on him. Every now and then, as he walked, murmurs and a comment or two could be heard.
But at that moment, no one was talking; everyone had to do or pretend to have work; after all, appearances had to be maintained.
The atmosphere on the floor where his office and the general management offices were located exuded a cold and oppressive air. One could only see everyone strictly focusing on their work.
Upon arriving at the main meeting room, Nathan noticed that everyone was already inside. They were just waiting for him. When one of the people noticed that the director was arriving, he stood up, and consequently, the others, showing their respect.
Nathan gestured with a hand for them to take a seat, and he also went directly to his designated seat, which was in the center of a long glass table.
He at that moment wondered who decided to place a glass table that conveyed such coldness as a meeting table, but instead of continuing to wander through his thoughts, he decided to focus on what was in front of him.
As before, many gazes, only these made a much greater impression. They were ready to judge him and refute any decision he made. He was already expecting it; he had been told it would be that way.
Without further ado, Secretary Chen, who was sitting next to Nathan, took the initiative. "Since we are all here, we can begin the meeting."