Chapter: The Day Kiefer Took A Break
The entire meeting room was silent.
Everyone was waiting for Kiefer's reaction.
After all, nobody interrupted Kiefer Waston during an important meeting.
Nobody except Rose.
Kiefer looked at the documents in his hand.
Then he looked at Rose.
Then at Lily.
Then at Jay.
Finally, he sighed.
"Fine."
Everyone was surprised.
Rose's eyes became wide.
"Wait... you agreed?"
Kiefer stood up.
"Yes."
Lily smiled.
"That was easier than expected."
Kiefer looked at them.
"Because I know arguing with Rose is impossible."
Rose proudly smiled.
"Finally, someone understands."
The employees laughed.
A few minutes later, the most powerful CEO in the world was no longer sitting in a meeting room.
He was in the company recreation area.
Employees were shocked.
They had never seen this before.
Kiefer Waston was playing games with everyone.
Not as a CEO.
Not as a boss.
Just as a person.
Rose immediately challenged him.
"Okay, Kiefer. Let's see if you still have skills."
Kiefer looked at the game.
"You challenged me?"
"Yes."
"You know I always win."
Rose smiled confidently.
"Not today."
Lily shook her head.
"Rose, why do you always challenge him when you know the result?"
"Because one day I will win."
"After how many years?"
"Don't ask."
Everyone laughed.
Jay watched them quietly.
She was amazed.
She had met many successful people.
But she had never seen someone like Kiefer.
A person who had everything...
but still enjoyed simple moments.
An employee walked near Jay.
"Miss Jay?"
She turned around.
"Yes?"
The employee smiled.
"Thank you."
Jay was confused.
"For what?"
"For making Mr. Waston smile more."
Jay didn't know how to answer.
"I didn't do anything."
The employee shook his head.
"You did."
He looked toward Kiefer.
"He has always cared about everyone. But he used to carry everything alone."
Jay became quiet.
She looked at Kiefer.
She understood.
Kiefer wasn't just a CEO.
He was someone who always put others first.
After the games, Rose announced:
"Next activity!"
Everyone became nervous.
Lily immediately asked:
"What did you plan?"
Rose smiled.
"A cooking competition."
Kiefer looked at her.
"No."
"Yes."
"I am a CEO, not a chef."
"Today you are both."
Jay laughed.
"I want to see this."
Kiefer looked surprised.
"You want to see me cook?"
Jay smiled.
"Yes."
For some reason, Kiefer couldn't say no.
The cooking competition began.
Rose was completely confident.
"I will win."
Lily looked at her ingredients.
"You burned toast last week."
"That was one time."
"Three times."
Kiefer quietly prepared his dish.
Jay watched him.
"You actually know how to cook?"
Kiefer nodded.
"My parents taught me when I was young."
Jay smiled.
"Another thing I didn't know about you."
Kiefer looked at her.
"There are many things you don't know."
Jay smiled.
"Maybe I would like to know them."
For a moment, everything became quiet.
Kiefer looked at her.
And Jay realized what she had just said.
She quickly looked away.
Rose and Lily noticed.
Of course, they noticed.
Rose whispered:
"Lily."
"Yes?"
"Did you hear that?"
"Yes."
"Our serious CEO is definitely changing."
Lily smiled.
"Maybe he was just waiting for the right people."
At the end of the competition...
The winner was announced.
"Kiefer Waston!"
Everyone cheered.
Rose looked shocked.
"How do you always win everything?"
Kiefer smiled.
"Preparation."
Rose pointed at him.
"That answer is exactly why you win everything."
Everyone laughed.
Later, as the day ended, Jay stood outside the company.
She looked back at the huge building.
A place she once thought was only about power and success.
Now she saw something else.
A place filled with family.
A place filled with kindness.
A place where a man named Kiefer Waston...
was slowly becoming someone very important in her life.
And inside the building...
Kiefer looked at the photo from the amusement park.
The one where everyone was smiling.
He looked at Jay's smile.
And quietly thought:
"Why does everything feel different when she is around?"