Page 6 of Grumpy Orc CEO

"Deal," he says, signaling the bartender who makes his way over, refilling our respective drinks.

As we continue our playful banter, I feel the weight of my worries lift just a little more. For the first time in a long while, I'm genuinely enjoying myself—thanks to this unexpected encounter with an intriguing orc CEO.

CHAPTER 4

Jarvin

As I sit next to Lucy in the bustling airport bar, completely captivated by her charm and wit, her green eyes sparkle with mischief as she recounts a hilarious story about a disastrous first date. I find myself laughing, genuinely amused, something I haven't felt in a long time.

"So, you got chased by a goose?" I ask, leaning forward, hanging onto every word.

"Yep," she replies with a grin. "It honked at me like I owed it money."

I chuckle, shaking my head. "Sounds like you’ve had some interesting experiences."

"You could say that." She sips her drink, eyes twinkling. "But hey, it makes for great stories."

Our conversation flows effortlessly. We talk about everything—our jobs, favorite movies, even childhood memories. Each word feels like peeling back another layer of her complexity. I’m drawn to her in a way that’s unfamiliar but welcome.

"Ever thought about running your own company?" she asks suddenly, catching me off guard.

I raise an eyebrow. "You think I'd make a good CEO?"

She laughs, a melodic sound that cuts through the noise of the bar. "You have the look down," she teases, eyeing my tailored suit.

I smirk, leaning back in my chair. "Well, it helps when you already are one."

Her eyes widen slightly. "Really? In finance?"

"Financial services," I say, watching her reaction closely.

She nods slowly. "Wow, that's... really impressive."

"Thank you," I reply. The admiration in her eyes sends a warm ripple through me. "So where do you live?"

The day's earlier bullshit seems to fade the longer I’m in Lucy's presence.

Lucy leans in slightly and says playfully, “Maybe we should just call this what it is: a fun chance encounter.”

Her lighthearted tone masks a hint of seriousness that cuts deeper than I expect. A pang of disappointment hits me squarely in the chest. I had hoped there might be more to this connection.

"A fun chance encounter," I repeat thoughtfully. "That’s one way to look at it."

"Is there another?" Her eyes search mine for an answer.

For a moment, words escape me. The noise of the bar fades into the background as we lock eyes. In that instant, the bustling airport bar around us ceases to exist.

"It doesn't have to be just that," I finally say, my voice softer than usual. I lean in slightly, hoping she'll catch the sincerity in my eyes.

A small smile tugs at her lips as she takes another sip of her drink. The conversation picks up again, but that underlying question lingers between us like an unspoken promise waiting to unfold.

The announcement for our flights crackles over the loudspeaker, breaking through the bubble we’ve created around ourselves. I feel a sudden sense of urgency, a gnawing fear that this moment might slip away if I don’t act fast.

“Flight 324 now boarding at Gate 17,” the voice echoes through the bar.

Lucy glances at the departure board and then back at me, a hint of disappointment in her eyes. “That’s me,” she says softly, her words a gentle reminder that our time together is ending.

“Lucy, before you go…” My voice trails off as her earlier words echo in my mind— “a fun chance encounter.” I can’t let it end like that.

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