The elevator doors chimed open, and the two stepped inside. The enclosed space shut out the air from the lobby. Ian hit the button for his office floor, and the elevator began its smooth ascent.
In the cramped quarters, the smell of alcohol mixed with the man's cedarwood cologne grew increasingly potent.
Ian leaned against the back wall, turning his head to watch the floor numbers tick up. Under the harsh white lights, his profile looked sharp and defined.
Eleanor stood on the other side of the cab, lost in her own thoughts.
With a *ding*, the doors slid open.
A female assistant carrying a stack of files was walking down the hall. Caught off guard by the sudden appearance of her boss, she hastily offered a greeting. "Good afternoon, Mr. Goodwin."
Then she spotted Eleanor and added, "Good afternoon, Miss Sutton."
Eleanor gave her a faint smile and a nod, clutching her purse as she followed Ian toward his office.
Ian walked into his spacious office. Sunlight flooded in through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a blinding glare. He immediately walked over, grabbed a remote control, and closed the blinds behind the couch.
He turned back to Eleanor. "Rest on the couch for a bit. The meeting has been pushed back an hour, so you can catch a quick nap."
With that, he rolled up his shirt sleeves and tugged at his tie, eventually pulling it all the way off and tossing it onto the sofa before undoing the top two buttons of his shirt.
Ian hit a button on his intercom and asked an assistant to bring in some water and a fruit platter.
Eleanor was indeed feeling a bit sleepy. There was something inexplicably lethargic about summer afternoons. She sat down and massaged her temples.
A moment later, the assistant brought in the drinks. Eleanor picked up a glass of refreshing water and took a sip, trying to perk herself up.
Ian came over and sat down. He grabbed a glass as well, took a sip, and sighed softly. "My stomach is acting up."
Eleanor turned to look at him. "Don't you have any stomach medicine handy?"


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