Chapter: The First Time Kiefer Felt Nervous
The next few days were normal at the company.
At least, they looked normal.
Meetings continued.
Projects continued.
Thousands of employees continued their work.
But something had changed.
Everyone noticed it.
Kiefer Waston was still the same brilliant CEO.
He still made perfect decisions.
He still handled problems calmly.
But now...
He smiled more.
He talked more.
And sometimes, employees even saw him looking at his phone with a small smile.
Of course, Rose noticed first.
She noticed everything.
One morning, Rose entered Kiefer's office.
"Kiefer."
Kiefer continued reading the documents.
"Yes?"
"I have a question."
"That sounds dangerous."
Rose ignored him.
"Why did you check your phone three times in the last five minutes?"
Kiefer immediately looked up.
"I did not."
Lily, who was sitting nearby, looked at her tablet.
"Actually, you did."
Kiefer looked surprised.
"You are counting?"
Lily smiled.
"We have known you for years."
Rose sat on the chair.
"So?"
"So what?"
"Who are you waiting for?"
Kiefer became quiet.
"No one."
Rose smiled.
"Interesting."
Lily looked at him.
"Is it Jay?"
Kiefer almost dropped his pen.
"What?"
Rose and Lily looked at each other.
Then both smiled.
"That reaction answered the question."
Kiefer sighed.
"You two are impossible."
Meanwhile, Jay was also experiencing something new.
She was used to being focused on her own work.
She was independent.
Confident.
She never allowed small things to distract her.
But now...
Every time she saw something related to the company, she remembered Kiefer.
A business article.
A company advertisement.
Even a simple teddy bear in a store.
Everything reminded her of that day.
She looked at the teddy bear on her shelf.
"You are becoming a problem."
She laughed.
But she didn't remove it.
That afternoon, Jay received a message.
It was from Kiefer.
"Are you free this weekend?"
Jay stared at the message.
Her heart suddenly started beating faster.
She read it again.
Then again.
"What is happening to me?"
She smiled at herself.
After a few seconds, she replied.
"Yes, I am free."
A few moments later, Kiefer replied.
"Good. Lily and Rose are planning something. They want you to join us."
Jay laughed.
Of course.
It was not just Kiefer.
It was always the four of them.
On the weekend, Jay arrived at the meeting place.
She expected another amusement park style surprise.
But this time, something was different.
Kiefer was already there.
Not wearing his usual CEO clothes.
Just a simple shirt.
Jay was surprised.
"You look different."
Kiefer looked at himself.
"Different?"
"Yes. More relaxed."
Kiefer smiled.
"Maybe because today is not about work."
Before they could talk more...
A loud voice interrupted them.
"EVERYONE IS HERE!"
Rose arrived carrying bags.
Lily followed behind her.
Jay laughed.
"What did you bring?"
Rose smiled proudly.
"Everything."
Kiefer looked worried.
"That is never a good sign."
The day was simple.
They walked around the city.
They ate together.
They laughed.
They talked about childhood memories.
Jay learned more about Kiefer.
She learned that he loved quiet places.
She learned that he always helped people secretly.
She learned that behind his serious personality was someone gentle.
At sunset, they sat near a peaceful lake.
For a while, nobody spoke.
It was comfortable silence.
Then Jay said:
"Kiefer?"
"Yes?"
"I think I understand why people respect you."
Kiefer looked at her.
"Why?"
"Because you never make people feel small."
He looked away.
Those words touched him.
Because success had given him many compliments.
But very few people noticed the person behind the success.
Jay did.
Later that evening, Rose and Lily walked behind them.
Rose whispered:
"Did you see his face?"
Lily smiled.
"Yes."
"He was nervous."
"Kiefer Waston? Nervous?"
Rose nodded.
"First time in history."
Lily laughed.
"Maybe Jay is the only person who can do that."
Ahead of them, Kiefer and Jay continued walking.
Neither of them knew what the future would bring.
But both knew one thing...
This friendship was becoming something much more meaningful.
And for Kiefer Waston...
The man who had built the biggest company in the world...
The most unexpected thing was happening.
Someone was becoming more important than all his achievements.