----+++++-----
Rina had been driving along the homeward-bound road, a contented smile stretching across her face as she navigated her car through the city's streets.
Initially, there had been a knot of anxiety in her stomach, but that feeling quickly dissipated as she realized just how ecstatic she was.
The journey from Denise's clinic had jogged her memory about the long list of advice that Denise had lovingly bestowed upon her.
Denise's concern for her was unparalleled. She was both thrilled and anxious about Rina's situation.
Denise had piled on countless instructions and recommendations, going so far as to prescribe vitamins and caution against foods and activities that were best avoided during pregnancy.
In the grand scheme of things, Denise seemed more invested in Rina's condition than even the father of her child, who hadn't so much as checked in to see how she was doing.
It was baffling how he hadn't managed to inquire about her well-being.
Chances were that he was off somewhere enjoying himself with Helena, she thought bitterly.
A pang of hurt coursed through her when she considered that they might be off having a romantic rendezvous while she was still waiting for the right moment to approach Erwin about her pregnancy.
She also believed that it might be prudent to share her pregnancy news when her interactions with him were less strained, and he was no longer avoiding her.
Upon arriving home, the house was predictably empty.
There was a strange stillness that hung in the air, and the quietude of the place seemed to weigh on her.
Without wasting any time, Rina decided to embark on a bit of a home improvement project.
She began by changing a few curtains to add more vibrant colors, to uplift the mood of the house.
She first unloaded her belongings and then enthusiastically delved into the transformation of her living space.
Initially, she hadn't given much thought to the interior design of their home, but her current sense of well-being sparked a desire to make their home more appealing.
Not just for her and Erwin, but also for the baby she was expecting.
She was determined not to let the atmosphere at home become a source of stress for her.
Her efforts included sweeping, tidying up, and making calls to order new furniture and replacements.
Satisfied with the results, she was interrupted by the doorbell's ringing.
She rushed to the gate, fearing that Erwin might be there, and she knew he wouldn't be pleased if she kept him waiting.
To her surprise, it was Lucas, Erwin's secretary, who stood at the door.
"Oh, Lucas! What brings you here?" she inquired, genuinely taken aback by his unexpected visit.
With a warm smile, Lucas replied,
"Hello, Miss Rina, Good day to you! I just wanted to check if Boss is here. I was supposed to deliver these files to him last night."
It was only then that she noticed the tired look on his face, with dark circles beneath his eyes.
"He's not here right now. Isn't he at your office?" she asked.
Lucas responded, "No, he's not. I came here because I thought he might have headed straight home, but he hasn't shown up at the office either."
Rina's brow furrowed slightly as she began to worry about Erwin's absence.
It seemed that the two of them had spent a considerable amount of time together, and the fact that Erwin hadn't come home yet raised her concern.
"It looks like you're exhausted," she sympathized with Lucas.
"Why don't you come inside for a while?
Maybe Erwin will return home this morning."
Lucas expressed his gratitude but explained that he had an urgent meeting to attend.
Rina offered to help by delivering the files to Erwin if he came home today, as they were urgently needed.
Lucas agreed,
While Lucas assured her that he would call and inform Erwin that he gave her the files.
-------+++++
Now, in the present moment, Rina was busy preparing a snack as she had an unexpected craving for strawberries.
Over an hour had passed since Lucas had handed her the files that Victor needed, and yet Erwin had not returned home.
While enjoying her snack, she couldn't shake the thought that Erwin might urgently require those files, and there was a possibility that he and Lucas had crossed paths at the office.
The image of Lucas bearing the brunt of Erwin's frustration gnawed at her.
Unable to contact Erwin, she realized that she didn't have his phone number.
It was somewhat amusing that she didn't have the contact details for her husband or even his assistant.
The only contact information she possessed was the office number, which had gone unanswered when she called earlier.
Perhaps Erwin had informed Lucas that he would be bringing the files home, but given the considerable distance between their house and the office, it was reasonable for Lucas to assume otherwise.
After finishing the strawberry dessert, she decided to bring some to the office as well, knowing that it was Erwin's favorite.
She made her way to her car, dressed in simple attire, and headed to Erwin's office, her mind filled with a mixture of concern and determination.
+-------
Meanwhile, Rina's heart raced as she currently embarked on her journey to the office.
She couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency as she drove towards Erwin's workplace.
With each passing moment, her concern for Erwin's well-being grew.
She knew how important this meeting was, and the absence of the critical files could jeopardize the entire presentation.
The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the city streets.
Rina navigated the traffic with a determined focus, her thoughts consumed by the enigma of Erwin's prolonged absence.
She tried to recall the last time he had been away from work for so long without prior notice, but her memory failed her.
This was uncharted territory, and her anxiety continued to mount.
As she finally reached the office building, Rina couldn't help but marvel at the grandeur of it all.
The gleaming glass façade, the polished floors, and the buzz of activity within the lobby were all a testament to the success of the company Erwin had managed.
But today, she was here not as the spouse of the CEO since everyone doesn't know her relation to him yet but as a bearer of crucial documents.
------------+++++++
Inside the office, Victor was in the midst of a race against time. His fingers flew across the keyboard as he tried to complete as much work as possible in the limited minutes he had left.
He knew that the success of the upcoming meeting hinged on his ability to retrieve the missing files.
Lucas, ever the loyal assistant, worked diligently beside him, silently sharing the weight of the responsibility.
Victor couldn't help but curse his forgetfulness for not saving Rina's number.
The situation had escalated into a race against time, and he had no means of contacting her directly.
He had assumed that she would be at home, never expecting that she would take the initiative to deliver the files to his office.
Frustration gnawed at him, but he knew there was no time to dwell on his mistakes.
The clock on the wall ticked away, each second feeling like an eternity.
With each passing minute, the tension in the room intensified.
Victor's decision to swiftly finish some paperwork and then dash home to retrieve the files was a desperate gambit to salvage the situation.
-----++
Meanwhile, amid the company's bustling atmosphere, as preparations for the crucial client meeting continued, the elegant woman who had arrived in the red Ferrari held court.
Heads turned as she made her way through the office, her presence commanding attention.
Whispers and knowing glances followed her path, as many were aware of her connection to the CEO.
The receptionist, doing her best to maintain her composure, led the woman to a plush waiting area, all the while feeling the weight of the occasion.
She knew that the impression she made today could have a lasting impact on her career, as the woman before her could potentially become the future wife of the company's CEO.
With a polite smile, the receptionist addressed her,
"Good afternoon, ma'am. How may I assist you today?"
The woman, graceful and poised, removed her stylish sunglasses, revealing a hint of intrigue in her eyes as she replied,
"Please inform Victor that I am here. Also, let his assistant know that I need to be picked up to retrieve the food I brought for him."
The receptionist nodded, inwardly relieved that the initial encounter had gone smoothly.
She quickly made the necessary calls to notify Victor and Lucas of the visitor's presence.
As she awaited further instructions, she couldn't help but wonder about the woman's significance and what her arrival might mean for the company and its future.