Chapter 10 – The First Task

The office was quieter than usual, but the tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. I had barely settled at my desk when Niran appeared, as calm and intimidating as ever. Golden eyes scanning the room, yet somehow, when they landed on me, I felt as though he could see straight through my carefully constructed Katty façade.

“Catty,” he said, voice clipped but smooth, “I have a task for you.”

I straightened immediately, heart skipping a beat. “A task?” I repeated cautiously.

He didn’t bother with pleasantries. “There’s a client—important. Very important. The contract could change the company’s next quarter. Your job… is to make them trust us. Win them over.”

My stomach twisted. “I… win them over?” I asked, trying to sound confident while my mind raced. How am I supposed to do that? I barely survived the party without tripping over my own feet.

“Yes,” Niran said simply, turning and walking toward his office. “You have until tomorrow evening to prepare a strategy. Make it convincing. And precise. No mistakes.”

I watched him go, my mind spinning. This was huge. Bigger than anything I’d handled before. And he expected me—me—to pull it off flawlessly.

Alex appeared almost immediately afterward, leaning against the doorframe with that infuriating smirk. “Well, look at you,” he said, voice teasing. “Getting your first real challenge. Don’t screw it up, Katty.”

“I’m trying not to panic,” I muttered under my breath.

Alex laughed. “Relax. I’ll help… a little. Just don’t let Niran see you relying on me too much. That golden gaze of his? He notices everything.”

I groaned, rubbing my temples. Of course he does.

Vivian appeared in the doorway at the same moment, impeccably poised as always. Her eyes first went to Niran, then to me, lingering with that subtle, possessive warmth. She smiled politely, but there was no mistaking the slight edge to her look. “I see he’s already giving you a challenge,” she said softly. “Do your best. This client… it’s not just important—it’s delicate. One misstep, and the contract could slip away.”

I nodded, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. “I understand,” I said carefully, trying to maintain composure.

Vivian’s eyes softened on Niran for just a heartbeat before she turned back to me. “Good luck,” she said. “You’ll need it.”

Great. She’s watching me already.

---

I spent the rest of the morning preparing, gathering all the information about the client. They were a tough, high-profile company, known for being meticulous and skeptical. Every detail mattered—their likes, dislikes, preferred meeting style, even the personalities of their top executives.

Alex hovered nearby, leaning over my shoulder at every chance. “Don’t forget, charm goes a long way,” he said with a wink. “A little smile, some attentiveness… maybe even a playful comment if the moment feels right. Just enough to loosen them up.”

“I can’t believe you’re giving me flirting tips for a business deal,” I whispered, half-exasperated, half-amused.

Alex grinned. “Business is a battlefield. You have to play every angle.”

I spent hours preparing a plan, from professional talking points to subtle gestures of rapport-building. By mid-afternoon, I had a full presentation ready, plus strategies for interpersonal connections. But my mind kept drifting back to Niran. His calm scrutiny, his silence, and that faint sense that he knew something I didn’t made my stomach twist.

Why does it feel like he’s already judging how well I’ll handle this?

Vivian appeared again, standing quietly beside Niran’s desk as she reviewed some documents. Her eyes flicked toward me, a hint of challenge in her gaze. I couldn’t tell if it was admiration or judgment—or perhaps jealousy.

“You know,” she said lightly, voice just loud enough for me to hear, “impressing him won’t be easy. He’s… particular. I hope you’re ready.”

“I am,” I said, trying not to sound nervous, though my heart was racing.

“Good,” she said, and for a moment, her gaze softened as she looked at Niran before turning back to me. “This client… it’s worth winning. Do your best.”

---

By evening, the client meeting was set, and I found myself walking into the sleek, modern boardroom with Niran beside me. He didn’t say a word, simply observing my every step, every gesture. I tried to calm my racing heart, repeating my plan in my head. Confidence. Charm. Professionalism. Subtle attentiveness. Don’t mess this up.

The client team arrived—four people, all sharp, demanding, and obviously experienced. I introduced myself politely, following the plan to the letter. Every handshake, every smile, every carefully worded sentence was deliberate.

Niran watched quietly, leaning slightly back in his chair. His expression was calm, unreadable, but the intensity of his gaze made me acutely aware of my posture, my tone, even the way I held the pen in my hand.

Alex was nowhere to be seen—smart enough to leave me to this—but I could almost imagine his teasing smile hovering somewhere nearby.

And Vivian? She was silently observing from the corner of the room, elegant, poised, and… just slightly tense. Her subtle glances toward Niran suggested that this wasn’t just about the contract for her. She cared—deeply.

As I presented, I could feel the subtle shifts in the client’s expressions. Eyes widened at key points, nods of approval came at just the right moments. I followed my plan meticulously, letting charm, professionalism, and attentiveness carry me.

By the end of the meeting, the client was smiling, engaged, clearly impressed. I allowed myself a small, discreet smile. Yes. So far, so good.

Niran finally spoke, his voice calm, authoritative, but carrying just enough warmth to make me shiver. “Well done,” he said, golden eyes meeting mine for the briefest moment. “You handled that professionally. Impressively.”

I nearly stumbled over my words. “Th-thank you, sir.”

Vivian gave a small nod, eyes softening as they flicked toward Niran, but I could sense the tension beneath her calm exterior. She was evaluating me still—but now also evaluating how Niran had reacted.

Alex appeared in the doorway just then, smirking. “I knew you’d manage. But wow… Niran actually complimented you. That’s impressive.”

I rolled my eyes but felt my chest swell with a mix of pride, relief, and—admit it—a little thrill at being noticed by Niran.

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