A Step Closer

Despite Henry's undeniable charm, there was something cold about him—an aloofness that she couldn’t quite place. It wasn’t just the polished perfection of his appearance or the way his confidence seemed almost mechanical. It was in the way he carried himself, as if there was a wall between him and the rest of the world. A deliberate detachment that hinted at a man who had seen too much, trusted too little.

Lily couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to him than the charismatic CEO everyone admired. And for some reason, she felt an odd mix of curiosity and caution stir inside her. Why did he seem so unreachable?

Lily had heard whispers about Henry before. She’d read a few articles on him during her time at Yale, though none of them had prepared her for the real thing.

At just 24, Henry was already the CEO of James Enterprise, a title he had earned through a combination of talent, grit, and his undeniable intelligence. He wasn't simply handed the position because of his father, James Brown, the company's founder and largest shareholder. No, Henry had started at the very bottom—taking the most basic, entry-level job he was qualified for—before proving himself, step by step, that he was worthy of leading the entire company.

Lily remembered reading about his journey in a business magazine once. Raised by a father who had turned the company around from the brink of bankruptcy to become one of the country’s most successful enterprises, Henry had always been destined for greatness. But what stood out the most in the articles was how he had done it all on his own. At 13, he’d left his hometown and moved to the U.S. where he completed both his schooling and attended Harvard Business School. By the time he was 20, he had already become known for his sharp mind and exceptional work ethic. His rise to CEO, at such a young age, was a testament to his brilliance.

But it was more than just academic success that got him here. He had worked his way up through the company, earning the respect of his colleagues with every position he’d held. People didn’t see him as the spoiled son of the president—no, they saw him as a leader in his own right.

It was this combination of skill, hard work, and quiet determination that had always fascinated Lily. Still, it didn’t explain the coldness she had sensed from him. There was something else behind that polished exterior, something she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

The days after Henry's speech seemed to pass in a blur. Lily had been caught in a whirlwind of excitement and uncertainty, but now, back in the confines of her desk and her daily tasks, reality set in. She quickly found her rhythm within the company, focusing on the work that had always driven her. Henry, though still a looming figure in the building, became little more than a distant shadow as Lily immersed herself in her responsibilities.

She didn’t have the chance to cross paths with him again, and perhaps that was for the best. He was always busy, wrapped up in his high-level meetings and business dealings. Lily, on the other hand, was just an intern—a face in the crowd. She saw him from a distance occasionally, catching glimpses of him as he entered or left the building. But those moments felt like fleeting fragments, never enough to bridge the gap between them.

Days bled into weeks, and the internship continued to unfold smoothly. Lily’s efficiency at work became a standout feature of her time there. She had earned the praise of her colleagues and supervisors, becoming the talk of the office for her impressive skills and her unwavering dedication. It wasn’t long before it became clear that she wasn’t just another intern—she was the best they’d ever had.

As the internship came to an end, Lily found herself presented with an unexpected opportunity. Her hard work had paid off in a way she hadn’t anticipated. The company, impressed by her performance, offered her a permanent position as a consultant. It was a huge step, one she had dreamed of for years. But as she looked ahead to the future, she couldn't shake the feeling that this new chapter might bring her closer to Henry—and to whatever unspoken tension lingered between them.

[ TO BE CONTINUED ;) .........]

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***