Christine looked out the window as the rain gently tapped on the glass, creating hypnotic patterns that reflected her restless mind. The sound of the rain was almost comforting, but it couldn't quell the storm of thoughts swirling in her head. She knew Roderick was about to arrive, and the tension in the air was palpable.
"Hi, Christine, it's Roderick. Can we meet? I have some questions about what you mentioned yesterday." His voice was firm, but there was a touch of urgency that she couldn't ignore.
Christine felt a shiver run down her spine. Something was changing, and she knew this meeting would be crucial. "Of course, Roderick. You can come to my house."
When Roderick arrived, the determination in his eyes was unmistakable. He knocked on the door, and when Christine opened it, the world seemed to stop for a moment. Their eyes met, and the silence that followed was charged with electricity. The house, usually a refuge, now felt like a stage for an inevitable event.
"Come in, Roderick," Christine said, her voice soft but firm, almost like a whisper that spread through the silent house.
They sat in the living room, and Christine offered Roderick a glass of wine. The pop of the cork coming out of the bottle and the liquid being poured filled the air. The atmosphere was heavy with tension. "So, what did you want to know?"
"Christine, how did you know about Microsoft's stock?" Roderick asked directly, his voice echoing slightly against the walls of the room.
Christine smiled enigmatically, a glint of mystery in her eyes. "What I said was women's intuition. Let's just say I have a good nose for the market."
Roderick moved a little closer, his gaze fixed on her eyes, almost hypnotized. "It's not just that, Christine. You knew with a lot of certainty."
She leaned in, closing the distance between them. The atmosphere between them grew more intense, their gazes filled with a mix of challenge and attraction. Roderick felt her proximity, the soft perfume she wore, and could almost hear his heart beating faster. The silence was broken only by the sound of their quickened breaths.
At that moment, the front door opened with an audible click, and Gail walked in. He stopped abruptly upon seeing Roderick and Christine so close. A look of jealousy and anger crossed Gail's face.
"What's going on here?" Gail asked, his voice laden with suspicion and a slight tremor of anger.
Christine slowly moved away from Roderick, her expression shifting to one of calculated calm. "We're just talking, Gail. Mr. Roderick had some questions about the market."
Gail didn't seem convinced, but Roderick stood up, trying to maintain his composure. "I was just leaving. Thanks for the information, Christine."
Roderick walked to the door, and Gail opened and closed the door behind him. Turning to Christine, Gail asked firmly, "You're not making a move on this guy, are you?"
Christine cynically denied it. "Of course not. He's our boss."
She then changed the subject, asking about Victoria. Gail looked puzzled and said, "I haven't seen her today." Then he went to take a shower.
Later, Christine, coming out of the shower, thought about the question Roderick had asked about how she knew about the stocks. She then went to sleep and dreamed of Roderick kissing her.
In the dream, Christine was in a field of flowers under a starry sky, where the starlight seemed almost tangible, enveloping them in a soft glow. Roderick approached her, his eyes shining with an intensity that made her heart race. He held her by the waist, pulling her closer, and their lips met in a deep and passionate kiss. His touch was warm and comforting, and she felt as if she were floating. The stars above seemed to dance in celebration, and a gentle breeze caressed her hair.
She woke up startled. "No, this can't be. He's my boss. I must be going crazy."
She got ready, called a taxi, and went to the doctor to have the cast removed from her foot. The doctor removed the cast but asked her to continue using crutches for a few more days. Then she went to work, observing a beautiful sunny day through the taxi window. The trees swayed gently in the wind, and the distant sound of people starting their day brought unexpected comfort. She was still thinking about Roderick, about how incredibly charming he was.
Christine arrived at the office a little later than usual, still getting used to walking with crutches. The work environment was as busy as ever, with people running back and forth, phones ringing incessantly, and animated discussions in the meeting rooms.
As she entered, her colleagues greeted her warmly, expressing concern for her foot. Christine smiled and thanked them, but her mind was on Roderick. She couldn't stop thinking about the intensity of that meeting the night