The day of the seminar finally arrived, and Hayley, CEO Ryan, and a handful of executives boarded the company's sleek, private helicopter. As they soared towards Vermont, the neighboring state to New York, Hayley felt a flutter of excitement mixed with a dash of nervousness. The journey was a brief 50 minutes, but Hayley's mind wandered to the stark contrast between her and the high-powered executives surrounding her. She couldn't shake off the feeling that some of them were eyeing her with a hint of curiosity, wondering what she was doing on this exclusive trip.
As the helicopter hummed along, the cabin fell silent, with only the occasional creak of leather seats breaking the stillness. Hayley felt a pang of awkwardness and decided to plug in her earphones, letting the soothing music lull her into a peaceful slumber. Before she knew it, she drifted off into a deep sleep.
"Hayley!" A faint voice pierced through her dreams, but she ignored it, too comfortable to stir.
"Hayley! Wake up, we're here!" A deeper, masculine voice accompanied a gentle tap on her shoulders. Hayley jolted upright, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment as she met CEO Ryan's piercing gaze. She apologized profusely for dozing off, but Ryan merely nodded curtly, his expression unreadable.
As they disembarked from the helicopter, Hayley's eyes widened in awe at the breathtaking hotel before them. "Vermont must be nice," she thought, taking in the picturesque surroundings.
Upon entering the hotel, the staff rushed to attend to their every need, recognizing the CEO and his executives as influential guests. Hayley couldn't help but admire the interior and ambiance of the luxurious hotel. The reception area glowed with warm, golden light, which cascaded down her face like a gentle caress. Walls adorned with intricate carvings stretched up to the lofty ceiling, while comfortable chairs and sofas, upholstered in soft velvet, invited guests to linger.
Behind the reception desk, a stunning combination of shiny marble and rich wood caught Hayley's eye, drawing her in with its elegance. The air was calm, filled with the quiet sounds of conversation between the CEO and the hotel manager, punctuated by the occasional tick of a clock.
As Hayley sat in silence, observing the exchange, she noticed the manager apologizing repeatedly to Ryan, piquing her curiosity. After what felt like an eternity – 30 minutes, to be exact – Ryan approached their group, his expression etched with a deep frown.
"They're one room short," he announced, his voice tinged with annoyance, "and all hotels in this area are fully booked. One of us will have to share a room with another."
The executives exchanged uneasy glances, with one of them muttering, "All these complications can be so annoying." Another executive, a man in his 40s with lazy grey eyes, suggested, "I have a solution." His gaze locked onto Hayley, and he proposed, "She'll be sharing a room with me."
Hayley felt a shiver run down her spine as the executive's eyes roamed over her, his intent clear. Ryan's reaction was immediate – his eyes flashed with anger, and his face darkened. For a few seconds, he seemed to struggle to compose himself, his chest rising and falling with deep breaths.
Finally, he cleared his throat and declared, "No need for that, Harrison. She'll be staying with me, as it's only for two days." His deep voice held a hint of annoyance, and his eyes locked onto Hayley's, their intensity making her heart skip a beat.
Hayley's eyes widened in shock, and she blurted out, "What?!"