The next couple of weeks passed in a blur. Before I knew it, it was time to get ready for Amy's bachelorette party… and I was not ready.
Here I was, standing in my room, completely flustered. Clothes were scattered across my bed and the floor. I took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
Ugh… why do I keep doing this to myself?
There are two things I hate the most in this world: packing and unpacking.
After much debate, I decided to pack a couple of pairs of skinny jeans, some tops, and a few sundresses.
I also added a pair of white canvas sneakers, simple nude flats, and classic black pumps.
I zipped up my suitcase and pushed it toward the door.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand. I grabbed it and unlocked the screen. It was a message from Amy.
Hey girl. Are you ready for a weekend of fun?
I chuckled.
I messaged her back, telling her I would meet her at the airport before boarding.
I took a quick shower and changed into a white V-neck T-shirt and medium-wash skinny jeans.
I stood in front of the full-length mirror, applying light makeup. After putting on a clear lip gloss, I popped my lips together and studied my reflection.
"Why do you always do that?"
I turned around and saw Harley leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed and a smirk on his face.
I rolled my eyes.
"Do you need something?" I asked while turning back toward the mirror.
Harley straightened. "Are you ready? I'll be taking you to the airport."
I looked at him through the mirror. "I thought Mr. Lu was taking me."
"He has the day off." Harley leaned down and picked up my suitcase. "I'll be waiting in the car for you."
I nodded.
When I reached the main floor, I spotted Mrs. Huang in the kitchen, cooking and singing along to the radio playing softly in the background.
"Auntie," I said, getting her attention. "I'm leaving now. I'll see you in Hawaii."
She came out of the kitchen with a big smile on her face and hugged me. "Have fun, honey."
Harley was on his phone talking to someone when I climbed into the passenger seat.
His voice was calm and controlled, the same tone he used whenever he was dealing with business matters. One hand rested loosely on the steering wheel while the other held the phone to his ear.
He glanced at me briefly before turning his attention back to the call.
"Get the board members in the conference room. I'll be there shortly."
He ended the call and placed the phone on the center console. "We need to make a quick stop at the company."
I opened my mouth to say something when he cut me off.
"We'll make it to the airport in time," he added as the engine revved.
The car pulled away from the mansion, heading toward Huang Group.
We pulled into the underground parking garage at Huang Group and parked in Harley's personal spot.
I followed him out of the car and toward the elevator. He pressed the button for the 50th floor.
As the elevator ascended toward the top floor, the air inside grew noticeably tense.
The elevator chimed softly.
The doors slid open to reveal a quiet hallway lined with polished marble floors and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.
Harley walked ahead without slowing down, and I followed closely behind him.
When he pushed open the conference room doors, the conversation inside stopped instantly.
Several board members were already seated around the long glass table. The moment they saw Harley enter, they all rose from their chairs.
"Good morning, Mr. Huang."
Harley gave a brief nod and walked to the head of the table.
Only then did everyone sit back down.
I hesitated near the door, unsure if I should stay.
Harley glanced back at me. "You can sit."
I nodded and quietly took a seat near the far end of the table.
The room was silent.
Harley remained standing.
He placed both hands on the glass table and looked around slowly, his expression calm but unreadable.
"Someone explain to me," he said evenly, "how a deal worth several hundred million dollars collapsed overnight."
No one spoke.
One of the older board members cleared his throat. "Mr. Huang, there were… unexpected complications with the overseas partners."
Harley's jaw tightened.
"Complications?" he repeated.
The man shifted in his seat. "We believed the agreement was secure."
Harley exhaled slowly through his nose.
"You believed," he said.
Silence settled heavily across the room.
"You believed," he repeated, "and yet no one thought it was necessary to inform me that negotiations were failing."
Another board member spoke carefully. "We were hoping to resolve the matter before it reached your attention."
Harley let out a quiet laugh.
The sound held no humor.
"So your solution," he said, "was to hide it."
No one answered.
Harley ran a hand through his hair before turning toward the screen behind him.
"Fix it."
The board members exchanged uneasy looks.
Harley turned back toward them, irritation now clear in his voice.
"I don't care how long it takes. I don't care how many calls you have to make. That deal will be back on the table before the end of the week."
"Yes, Mr. Huang," several voices replied at once.
Harley folded his arms.
"Meeting adjourned."
The board members quickly gathered their documents and filed out of the room.
Within moments, the conference room was nearly empty.
I cleared my throat. "Can I say something?"
"What?"
With a bright smile on my face, I confessed, "Seeing you take action like that was…"
He looked at me. "Was what?"
I looked away as my cheeks burned with embarrassment. "I—I couldn't take my eyes off you. You were… mesmerizing."
Harley's eyes widened.
He looked at me for a moment before clearing his throat and looking away. "Let's go."
As Harley walked past me toward the door, I noticed his cheeks turning red.
I hurried after him, but every time I tried to match his pace, he took a few longer strides ahead of me.
"Harley!" I called after him. "Why are you walking so fast?"
He glanced over his shoulder. "To get you to the airport on time."
I leaned forward with my hands on my thighs, panting.
Before I could catch my breath, Harley walked back toward me.
"What are you doing?" I asked, straightening up.
Instead of answering, he bent down and lifted me into his arms.
"Harley!" I gasped.
He carried me bridal-style down the hallway as if I weighed nothing.
I covered my face with both hands, completely embarrassed.
"Put me down!" I whispered, mortified.
Employees walking past quickly looked away, pretending not to notice.
Harley ignored my protests and continued toward the elevator.
When we reached the underground parking garage, he walked straight to the car and gently set me in the passenger seat.
Before I could say anything, he leaned in and pulled the seatbelt across me, buckling it in place.
Our faces were suddenly inches apart.
My heart skipped.
He stepped back immediately and closed the door.