Chapter 7 : A Casual Meet Up

Days later the buzz of the upcoming sports event had started to creep into every corner of their lives, but tonight, Laurene and Sebastian were determined to step away from work—if only for a few hours. Mia and Alex had insisted on a casual dinner this time rather than typical business dinner to relax, something to unwind before the final push.

The four of them met at an upscale restaurant downtown, one of those places with floor-to-ceiling windows and an atmosphere that screamed success without being ostentatious. Mia and Alex had arrived first, seated at a corner booth with a clear view of the city lights. When Laurene and Sebastian walked in, they found them already laughing over a shared bottle of red wine.

“Finally,” Mia teased as Laurene and Sebastian slid into the booth. “We were about to start without you two.”

Laurene glanced at Sebastian, raising an eyebrow. “Did you really think that would stop us?”

Sebastian smirked. “Of course not. We’re just fashionably late.”

Alex, ever the calming presence, offered a smile. “You both look like you need this. No talk of work tonight.”

“Agreed,” Laurene said, leaning back in the booth, her shoulders relaxing. It had been a long day, and the weight of the partnership had started to wear on her. She appreciated Alex’s unspoken support.

The waiter came by, taking their drink orders, and as they waited for their food, the conversation shifted to lighter topics. They talked about everything from travel to their favorite childhood memories, the competitive edge and corporate tensions fading as they spent time as friends rather than business partners.

At one point, Sebastian leaned forward, his eyes twinkling mischievously. “So, Mia, tell me—what’s the secret to being the brains behind a multi-million-dollar company without completely losing your mind?”

Mia laughed, swirling her wine. “It’s all about balance. Knowing when to take risks, and when to keep your feet on the ground. And maybe a little bit of bribing the universe to cut you some slack now and then.”

Alex chimed in, “I find it’s mostly about being prepared for the worst and hoping the best comes anyway.”

Laurene couldn’t help but laugh, realizing how much she had missed moments like this—just being around people who understood the pressure she carried, without demanding anything from her.

“Do you two ever just... let go?” Sebastian asked, suddenly serious.

Laurene tilted her head, considering. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, the whole ‘CEO’ thing. Always being on, always making decisions. Do you ever just... relax?” He looked between her and Mia. “You guys seem like you’re always in control. Do you even know how to have fun?”

Mia exchanged a knowing glance with Laurene before answering. “Fun’s overrated, King. We make our own fun.”

“I’m inclined to agree,” Laurene said, a teasing smile creeping up. “Fun doesn’t come naturally when you’re carrying the weight of an entire company on your shoulders.”

Sebastian raised an eyebrow. “So, you never just have a random night of doing something spontaneous? Like... I don’t know, karaoke?”

Laurene’s eyes narrowed as she watched him. “Karaoke? You?”

Sebastian grinned. “Yeah, I’ve been known to belt out a tune or two.”

The challenge in his eyes was clear, and Laurene felt a sudden spark of competitiveness. “Prove it.”

Mia laughed, nudging Laurene. “Oh, this is going to be good.”

A few hours later, after a few rounds of drinks and much laughter, they found themselves at a karaoke bar. The dim lights and crowd of rowdy patrons created the perfect atmosphere for some very questionable performances.

Sebastian had gone first, of course, stepping up to the stage with surprising confidence. As the first notes of a classic rock song blared from the speakers, Laurene found herself watching, half-amused and half-impressed, as Sebastian belted out lyrics with all the drama of a rock star.

When he finished, he turned to her with a smug grin. “Your turn, Ashford.”

Laurene raised an eyebrow. “I don’t think I’m quite as... theatrical as you.”

“Come on,” he urged, leaning forward. “Show me what you’ve got. I promise, I won’t judge.”

Mia and Alex exchanged amused glances. “It’s not about judging,” Mia said, “it’s about having fun.”

Laurene hesitated. She wasn’t the type to do something like this in public, especially with her business rival watching. But something about the easy atmosphere, and the teasing challenge in Sebastian’s eyes, made her decide—why not?

She stood, walking up to the stage with a newfound confidence, choosing a classic pop song. As the music began, Laurene surprised herself by diving in, her voice steadier than she’d expected. Seb’s eyes widened in mock awe as she finished, and for the first time that evening, there was no rivalry in his gaze—only genuine admiration.

“Well, Ashford,” he said, clapping. “I might have underestimated you.”

Laurene laughed, returning to the booth with a smirk. “Don’t get used to it.”

As the night wore on, their laughter echoed through the bar, and the line between business partners and friends began to blur. The tension that had defined their relationship for so long had loosened, replaced by something else—something neither of them had anticipated.

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