Ana's eyes widened slightly, taken aback by the CEO's personal question. She hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond. "I'm married," she replied finally, her voice a little softer.
The CEO's expression didn't change, but Ana detected a flicker of interest in his eyes. "I see," he said, his voice neutral. "And what's your husband like, Ms. Gilbert?"
Ana felt a surge of surprise at the follow-up question. She hadn't expected the CEO to be interested in her personal life, let alone her husband. But she tried to answer politely, "He's... supportive and kind."
The CEO nodded thoughtfully, his eyes never leaving hers. "I'm glad to hear that, Ms. Gilbert," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "A supportive partner can make all the difference in one's life."
Ana smiled, subconsciously nodding, Ethan was not bad afterall.
The CEO's gaze seemed to bore into Ana's soul, as if searching for something beneath the surface. Ana felt a shiver run down her spine, but she maintained her composure.
"Now, Ms. Gilbert, tell me about yourself," the CEO said, his voice low and smooth. "What drives you? What motivates you?"
Ana hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But there was something about the CEO's demeanor that put her at ease. "I'm driven by my passion for my work," she said, her voice growing stronger. "I'm motivated by the desire to succeed and make a difference in my industry."
The CEO nodded thoughtfully, his eyes never leaving hers. "I see," he said, his voice neutral. "And what about your personal life, Ms. Gilbert? Are you happy?"
Ana felt a surge of surprise at the CEO's question. No one had ever asked her that before. "I'm... content," she replied, her voice a little softer.
The CEO's expression didn't change, but Ana detected a flicker of interest in his eyes. "Contentment is a good starting point," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "But true happiness comes from within."
The CEO's words struck a chord within Ana, and she found herself reflecting on her own life. She had always focused on her career and providing for her loved ones, but had she truly found happiness? in the midst of this thought Ethan's Skilling face came to her view in her head,his smile seemed like her haven, she was contented with Ethan.
The CEO's gaze seemed to bore into her soul, as if searching for the answer to that very question.
As they continued to converse, Ana began to feel a sense of unease. The CEO's questions were probing, but not intrusive. He seemed genuinely interested in getting to know her, but there was an air of mystery surrounding him that made her feel like she was walking on eggshells.
The CEO leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together. "I, too, have known contentment," he said, his voice low and smooth. "But I've also known the depths of sorrow. I've paid for a mistake I made in the past, one that cost me someone I loved dearly." Ana's eyes widened slightly, taken aback by the CEO's personal revelation. "I found her again, but things had changed," he continued, his voice tinged with a hint of melancholy. "Life is full of what-ifs, isn't it, Ms. Gilbert?"
Ana felt a pang of empathy for the CEO, sensing the weight of his words. She couldn't help but wonder what had happened in his past, and who the person was that he had lost. The CEO's eyes seemed to cloud over, and for a moment, Ana saw a glimmer of vulnerability behind his polished facade.
Ana's expression softened as she looked at the CEO, her heart going out to him. "I'm so sorry, sir," she said, her voice filled with empathy. "It sounds like you've been through a lot." The CEO's eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, Ana felt like she was seeing him for the first time. He wasn't just a powerful businessman; he was a complex, multifaceted person with his own struggles and regrets.
The CEO's gaze held hers for a moment longer, and then he nodded, his expression softening slightly. "Yes, I have," he said, his voice low and rough. "But I've learned that it's never too late to try to make things right. To try to find happiness again." Ana felt a surge of encouragement, sensing that the CEO was sharing a part of himself that he didn't often reveal to others.
"You know, sir," she said, her voice filled with conviction. "I think it's amazing that you're willing to confront your past and try to move forward. That takes a lot of courage." The CEO's eyes narrowed slightly, as if he was surprised by her words. And then, to Ana's surprise, he smiled, a small, wry smile that seemed to hold a world of emotion. "Thank you, Ms. Gilbert," he said, his voice low and smooth. "That means a lot coming from you."
His last words wasn't clear to Ana, who raised a glass to him. "I wish you a happy ending with the one you love."
The CEO's smile faltered for a moment, and Ana saw a flash of surprise in his eyes,he picked up his glass. Then, he chuckled, a low, rough sound that seemed to come from deep within his chest. "Thank you, Ms. Gilbert," he said, his voice a little softer. "I appreciate your kind words." He paused, his eyes holding hers, and Ana felt a sense of connection with him that she couldn't quite explain.
As they sat there, the tension between them seemed to dissipate, replaced by a sense of mutual understanding. The CEO leaned forward, his eyes locked onto hers, and Ana felt like she was drowning in their depths.
"Please, call me Tan," he said, his voice low and smooth. "And may I call you Ana?" Ana felt a surge of surprise at the suggestion, but she couldn't deny that it felt nice to be on a first-name basis with the CEO. "Of course, Tan," she said, smiling back at him. "I'd like that."
Tan nodded, his eyes seeming to gleam with approval. "Good," he said. "Now, Ana, tell me more about yourself. What do you like to do in your free time?" Ana felt a sense of relief wash over her as she realized that the conversation was shifting back to more neutral territory. She smiled, feeling a sense of comfort with Tan that she hadn't expected. "I enjoy reading,and collecting antiques" 'i enjoy watching him cook too. ' she thought in her head but didn't dare to say it out aloud.
Tan's eyes sparkled with interest as Ana shared her hobbies. "I love reading too," he said, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "I'm a big fan of biographies and historical non-fiction." Ana smiled, feeling a sense of connection with Tan.
As they continued to converse on non work related stuff, Ana didn't even notice that she had taken more alcohol than her head could take on a normal, until eventually she felt headache and very light headed, her eyes closed, her head swayed almost hitting the table but Tan was just right intime to place his hand on the table.