Page 4 of Grumpy Orc CEO

Lucy

Iwalk into the airport, taking a deep breath from the to-do of getting through the chaos of security. My eyes dart to the departure board, searching for my flight number. But instead in bright red letters: DELAYED.

I let out a long sigh, it’s not what I was expecting to see when I made it through security. I’m supposed to be heading back to my parents house to grab and pack up the rest of my things. But I could definitely use the moment to regroup. And if there's anywhere that can be achieved, it’s the airport bar.

I grip the handle of my suitcase and make my way through the bustling terminal. The noise and chaos of people hurrying to their gates fill the air around me. But I’m determined to make the best of this situation. I spot the bar nearby and decide it’s as good a place to kill some time.

The bar is dimly lit, offering a slight respite from the fluorescent glare of the terminal. I slide onto a stool and set my purse on the counter, signaling to the bartender. He nods in acknowledgment and finishes pouring a drink for another customer before making his way over.

“What can I get you?” he asks, wiping his hands on a towel and giving me a friendly, professional nod.

“Glass of wine, please,” I reply, offering him a smile. “Got any recommendations for an unexpected delay?” I rest my chin on my hand, feeling the cool surface of the counter beneath my palm as I wait for his response.

He chuckles softly, nodding as he reaches for a bottle. “I’ve got just the thing. A nice Merlot should do the trick.” He pours the rich, dark liquid into a glass, the sound soothing in the dimly lit bar.

As he places the glass in front of me, I take a moment to glance around. The bar is filled with travelers like me, each absorbed in their own world of waiting. Some are hunched over laptops, fingers flying across keyboards with an urgency that mirrors my own need for distraction. Others are scrolling through their phones, expressions ranging from boredom to frustration. A few are chatting animatedly with their companions, laughter and snippets of conversation creating a low hum that fills the space.

I take a sip of my wine, savoring the smooth, velvety taste. It’s a welcome comfort. The bartender catches my eye and offers a knowing smile. “Rough day?” he asks, leaning slightly on the counter.

“No, not really. Just taking advantage of the extra time.” I sigh, shaking my head. “This is exactly what I needed. Thanks.”

He nods again, moving to help another customer, and I’m left alone with my thoughts and the gentle buzz of the bar around me.

My mind drifts back to why I’m here—to collect the last of my things from my parents' house. It feels strange, almost like closing a chapter in a book that I’ve read too many times. But it’s necessary if I’m going to fully embrace this new beginning.

I pull out my phone and start scrolling through emails. A few job application responses sit unopened in my inbox. No news yet. I push the thoughts aside and focus on enjoying this small break from reality. The applications will be there when I get back.

I sip my wine and people-watch. The delay turns out to be a welcome distraction, this corner of the airport is cozy, and the wine is delicious. I deserve the break, I tell myself with a smile.

I rummage through my bag and pull out the book I’ve been meaning to finish. It’s one of those novels that everyone’s been raving about, but I’ve barely had time to crack it open. Tonight seems like the perfect opportunity.

I open my book and start reading, but it’s hard to concentrate. The bar is bustling with other delayed passengers, each creating their own little pockets of noise and activity. Conversations buzz around me, punctuated by the clinking of glasses and the occasional burst of laughter.

My mind keeps wandering back to the past few day’s events—the move, the job applications, the uncertainty of what comes next. It feels like my brain refuses to shut off reminding me that I'm alone.

The irony of being in a bar surrounded by people isn’t lost on me. But at least there's wine, I think, as I swirl my glass in my hand.

I take another sip and glance around the bar. A group of travelers huddles around a table nearby, their faces animated as they share stories and jokes. Their energy is infectious.

The bartender returns to check on me. “How’s everything?”

“Good,” I reply automatically, then add with a wry smile, “Well, as good as it can be when your flight’s delayed.”

He chuckles. “Yeah, we’ve been seeing a lot of that lately.”

I nod with a smile and am about to return to my book when I see him. An orc, towering and muscular, strides into the bar with a presence that commands attention. His tailored suit clings to his broad shoulders, every inch of him exuding power and confidence. He scans the room, his piercing amber eyes locking onto an empty seat next to me.

For a moment, he pauses, as if weighing his options. My heart skips a beat. It’s not every day you see an orc in a business suit, especially one who looks like he could take on the world and win. He makes his decision and heads towards me, each step purposeful and sure.

He slides into the seat beside me with a grace that seems almost impossible for someone of his size. The bartender appears, giving me a nod as he asks the orc what he'd like. “Whiskey. Neat,” he orders, his voice deep and resonant.

The air feels charged with his presence. I sneak a glance at him, just in time to catch him looking my way. Our eyes meet—his amber gaze intense and unwavering. For a second, I forget how to breathe. Suddenly the distractions don’t seem so bad. They seem to have led my eyes right to this handsome stranger sitting next to me.

He gives me a nod, acknowledging our brief connection before turning back to face the bar. The bartender sets his drink down in front of him with a respectful nod.

I take another sip of my wine, trying to steady myself. My mind races with curiosity about this enigmatic stranger who just walked into my evening like a storm cloud blotting out the sun. There’s something magnetic about him, something that makes it impossible to look away for too long. Relaxing be damned. The inconvenience of the flight delay might not be such a bad thing after all.

I've been through a lot in the last year or so, but the air around him seems to vibrate with the kind of energy I long for. Confidence, success. It's alluring and contagious.

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