"To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting." - E.E. Cummings

  Ethan

  As I drove back to the city, my thoughts returned to Katerina. The comfortable morning with my family had put me in a good mood, and the anticipation of seeing her again was a pleasant buzz. Even the thought of the demanding day ahead didn't seem quite so daunting.

  I pulled into the parking garage beneath my office building, the sleek, modern structure, a stark contrast to the cozy familiarity of my parents' home. Stepping out of the car, I transitioned back into CEO mode, the weight of responsibility settling on my shoulders. Millions of dollars, thousands of jobs – all rested on my decisions. It was a pressure I was accustomed to, a challenge I embraced. But even amidst the high-stakes world of corporate finance, Katerina's image lingered. Her laughter, her intelligence, the way she'd challenged my assumptions about… well, everything.

  My office suite was a testament to modern design, all clean lines, and panoramic views. The city sprawled beneath me, a tapestry of steel and glass glinting in the morning sun. But even this stunning vista couldn't quite pull my focus away from the thoughts swirling in my head. Katerina. Her name, a soft whisper in my mind, kept surfacing amidst the demands of running a global empire.

  I sat at my desk, staring at the complex project proposal on my screen, but my mind was miles away. Specifically, it was replaying snippets of conversation from the party the other night. I remembered the way her eyes lit up when she talked about her work, a passion that mirrored my own drive. There was an easy flow to our conversation and a shared sense of humor that made me genuinely laugh. And then there was the way she looked at me… a flicker of something intriguing in her eyes that I couldn't quite place, but it had definitely captured my attention.

  "Mr. Maxwell, your 10:00 meeting with the board is about to begin," my assistant, Sarah, announced, her voice crisp and professional.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  I nodded, pushing thoughts of Katerina to the back of my mind – for the moment. "Thank you, Pam. I'll be right there."

  As I walked towards the boardroom, the weight of responsibility settled on my shoulders. The boardroom was a sleek, modern space filled with polished mahogany and the hushed anticipation of powerful individuals. I took my seat at the head of the table, the CEO's chair, and the meeting commenced. We discussed quarterly earnings, expansion plans, and potential acquisitions. But even as I led the discussion, a small part of my mind was already looking ahead. Thursday. Coffee with Katerina. It was a small thing, a brief respite in my demanding schedule. But it was something I was genuinely looking forward to.

  The board meeting stretched on, a blur of numbers, projections, and strategic jargon. I navigated the discussions with practiced ease, my mind sharp and focused, yet a persistent undercurrent of anticipation hummed beneath the surface. Katerina. Thursday. The simple thought was a beacon, a small island of warmth in the sea of corporate calculations.

  Lunch was a quick affair, a hastily eaten salad at my desk while I reviewed a crucial contract. Sarah buzzed me with updates, urgent emails, and last-minute requests. The city outside my window was a hive of activity, a constant reminder of the relentless pace of my life. But even as I immersed myself in the details of the deal, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was shifting within me.

  The afternoon was a whirlwind of back-to-back meetings, each demanding my full attention. I fielded questions from department heads, negotiated with potential partners, and addressed a minor crisis with a key client. The pressure was intense, the stakes high. Yet, amidst the chaos, I Found myself pausing, just for a moment, to imagine Katerina’s reaction to a particularly complex financial maneuver. Would she be impressed? Intrigued? Or would she simply roll her eyes, amused by the intricacies of my world?

  The thought brought a smile to my lips, a genuine smile that had nothing to do with quarterly earnings or market share. It was a smile that spoke of something more, something personal, something… real.

  As the day drew to a close, and the city lights began to twinkle against the darkening sky, I finally allowed myself a moment of quiet reflection. I leaned back in my chair, the tension slowly draining from my shoulders. The day had been demanding, as always, but I’d handled it with my usual efficiency. Yet, something felt different. The weight of responsibility was still there, but it felt… lighter.

  I pulled out my phone, a habit I rarely indulged in during the workday, and checked my messages. A new text had just arrived. It was from Katerina.

  “Just thinking of you. I hope you had a good day.”

  A warmth spread through my chest, a feeling I hadn’t experienced in a long time. It was just a simple text, a casual message, but it was enough to make the long day feel worthwhile. I typed a quick response, a simple “I did, thank you,” but the words felt inadequate.

  I stood up, ready to face the evening commute, the traffic, and the solitude of my penthouse apartment. It was still Monday, and Thursday felt a lifetime away. But tonight, the prospect didn’t seem quite so daunting. Tonight, I had a reminder that someone was thinking of me, and that was enough.