Monday morning arrived so quietly that, within the blink of an eye, Aurora was already at her desk, going through the final adjustments to the fourth design.
The weekend had given her enough time to look over everything again, and she was satisfied with the result. This time, she wasn't expecting another sleepless night because of Mr. Voss.
At least, she hoped not.
She closed the file and looked at the clock. It was currently 9:47 a.m., and her meeting with Mr. Voss was scheduled for ten, as per usual.
Right, she really needed a cup of coffee to fully gear up for her meeting with Mr. Voss. And since she had about ten minutes, why not?
So she asked Amaya to prepare one for her before gathering the documents she needed and making her way towards the conference room.
By the time she arrived, everything was already prepared, with her coffee on her side of the table.
The fourth design was displayed across the large table, alongside the revised materials list and updated cost projections.
She knew everything was perfect, so she relaxed, melting into the chair as the perfectly made coffee simmered down her throat.
At exactly ten o'clock, a figure stepped into the conference hall, dressed in another perfectly arranged dark suit.
His presence immediately filled the room, and Amaya didn't need to be told who that was.
She looked up, her eyes locking with his to acknowledge his presence.
"Good morning, Mr. Voss," she greeted, a smile that barely touched her eyes plastered on her face.
"Good morning, Ms. King," he responded, his smile rather warm.
He settled down opposite her, his eyes immediately settling on the documents.
Sensing he was ready now, she exclaimed, "I suppose we can begin."
A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. "By all means."
Aurora moved towards the first page and began explaining the changes.
She went through the structural adjustments, the revised materials and the changes made to the use of space.
Mr. Voss listened without interrupting, studying each page as she spoke carefully and occasionally asking a question.
When Aurora finished, she looked at him.
"Well?"
Mr. Voss looked down at the design again.
"You improved it."
Aurora blinked. That was not the response she had expected.
"That's it?"
His eyebrow lifted. "Why? What were you expecting me to say?"
"Nothing. I was expecting something."
"Well, you've received something, haven't you?"
Aurora crossed her arms. "Was it a compliment, though?"
"Oh, please, let's not get ahead of ourselves so soon. Compliments were for the first day we met. This was just an observation." Mr. Voss chuckled.
She stared at him for a moment. Then she sneered slightly. "I'll take it."
Mr. Voss looked back at the design, and with a little eye roll, he said, "Since it's a compliment you want so badly tly, you'll have it."
"You kept the visual identity from the first concept without allowing the cost to become excessive."
Aurora nodded.
"And you solved the issue with the open space from the second."
"Yes."
"While keeping the structural balance of the third."
"Exactly."
He closed the folder. "So... great job. I'll take it."
Aurora's eyebrows lifted slightly. "You're approving it?"
"You can say that, but..."
"But what? Just say it. I'm already used to it," she exclaimed.
"Obviously, with a few minor adjustments."
She sighed dramatically. "I knew there was a catch."
Mr. Voss almost smiled. "I mean, it's nothing major, just some preferential tweaks."
Aurora looked at him, derailed, as she shook her head. Then she took the document from him.
"Good."
There was a short silence, and they simply stared at each other, with both of them fighting battles they had created for themselves in their heads.
After a quick minute, he stood. "Have your team make the adjustments. Once they're done, we'll move into the next stage."
Aurora nodded. "Understood."
With that, he adjusted his suit before walking out.
Aurora remained standing there for a few seconds, staring at the back of the door before slipping into her chair, a small smile appearing on her exhausted face.