ANASTASIA


    At longst, we arrived at the lodge for the business trip.


    Bags in hands, everyone gaped in awe at the building in front of us. The anticipation that had built during our journey seemed to crescendo as we took in the sight.


    On a wood that was nailed at the top of the establishment were the words ''Preat Retreat'' written with


    pieces of tiny wood and adorned with tiny bulbs so that It glowed. The craftsmanship was impressive, giving the ce a whimsical yet professional alr.


    ''Feels like I have just stepped into a fairynd, Rachel stopped by my side and murmured, totally awed and her eyes shone as the lights reflected in them.


    Despite the gaping hole in my heart that only holding Amie could fill, I was also a little bit entranced.


    The small connected dwellings were surrounded, almost swallowed, by the tall pine trees and lush greenery. In the center of all the wooden cabins scattered around was a bigger building that wasbeled," Fill Your Tummy."


    The yful name seemed to lighten the mood of the group and some of the employees giggled at thebel.


    As I took it all in, I couldn''t help but agree that the lodge''s serene ambiance and natural surroundings made it a perfect ce to rx and recharge after a hectic day.


    As everyone unloaded their things from the trunk of the bus, I caught sight of Aiden also unloading some boxes from a car, probably the one he came with.


    As our eyes met, I quickly looked away. Ugh, isn''t he the boss? He should just go rx and let his assistants or whatever get the work done. And then I busied myself with my own luggage,


    The chatter of other employees who had also seen him reached my ears as they whispered amongst themselves.


    "Since this is mostly a business trip, I wonder if the boss will also stay around."


    The other blonde widened her eyes, "What are you saying! If you were the boss, would you join in the work after spending so much on a free trip for your workers?


    "If I were the one," a girl with short hair peeked at Aiden who was still helping in unloading some things, "I would not even be there unpacking or doing whatever he''s doing."


    "You guys aren''t in a position of power yet you''re so arrogant." The first girl rolled her eyes, "How sure are you that he would not be around. Look, he''s helping."


    Trust me, girl, by this time tomorrow, he''d be nowhere to be found."


    "He''d probably be busy picking up female Hawaiians to warm his bed."


    The three girls giggled among themselves.


    Suddenly, his secretary, the man who had Introduced himself as the head coordinator, announced to all


    of us to gather around as the boss needed our attention.


    Aiden walked up to the front to address us all. "I hope you all had a great trip here?"


    Everyone chorused enthusiastically.


    "I would like to announce to all of you that I will be staying here at this retreat just like the rest of you as we will be getting some serious work done while having fun at the same time!" His gaze met mine and I averted his gaze.


    I pretended to be busy with my luggage as I listened to him.


    Why can he not find a five star hotel and lodge in? Why here? I wanted to cry out. I was stressed enough about Amie, I didn''t want to add to it by worrying about bumping into Aiden.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    "For the rest of this day, I encourage you to take your time, do the things you''d rather do than work and rest. Everything you might need will be made avable to you. If it isn''t avable," his gaze met mine again but I didn''t duck or look away, "simply reach out to me and I will do my best to sate your wants." He is definitely talking to me, I thought, remembering the words he had said to me when we were trapped in the elevator.


    There were cheers and murmurs of how nice the CEO was all over.


    Finally....and thankfully, he stopped staring at me like I was the only thing worth looking at and continued his talk.


    "I will work on the schedule and ensure that it reaches everyone in your various cabins. During this trip, everyone is equal. There is no head I''d department, no assistants, there is no nothing. In fact there is no CEO. We are all equals here. So I urge you to freely coborate, learn and improve."


    A soft round of apuse, which was apanied by wide grins and looks of reverence that were directed at Aiden, filled the air after his speech.


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