Chapter 28 Twenty Eight
The last day of the retreat… finally morning of and it came too quickly.
Sunlight spilled across the resort lawns, soft and golden, touching everything with warmth. The sound of luggage wheels echoed across the tiled floors as people packed up, ready to head back to the city.
Izzy stood by her window, zipping the last of her bag. The week had felt long... not because of work, but because of him.
Dominic Steele.
He had been everywhere…. in the meetings, the hallways, the dinners… but she had made sure to keep her distance. No glances. No smiles. No words.
And now it was the last day.
One last breakfast.
Then she could finally breathe again.
She took a long look at herself in the mirror before leaving. Her outfit was simple... a cream blouse tucked into light jeans, hair tied up neatly. She looked calm. Composed. Untouched. Exactly how she wanted to appear.
When she walked into the breakfast hall, the place was already buzzing. Tables were filled with coworkers chatting, laughing, exchanging numbers, and taking group photos. The smell of coffee and butter filled the air.
Adrian waved her over instantly. “Izzy! Over here!”
She smiled and joined him at the table near the window. He had his camera out, taking selfies with everyone. “One last group photo before we all go back to reality,” he said with a grin.
She laughed softly. “Sure, why not.”
They leaned in together for the photo, smiling naturally. Adrian’s arm brushed against her shoulder, light but noticeable. Izzy didn’t move away.…she didn’t even have to look up to know who was watching.
Because she felt it.
Dominic was seated a few tables away with a few of the senior executives. His back was straight, his expression unreadable as always, but his gaze kept finding her. Every few minutes. Every smile she gave Adrian. Every laugh that wasn’t meant for him.
He didn’t approach her. Not once.
And she didn’t look his way, either.
They were both pretending.
Pretending not to care.
Pretending they weren't starving for one another.
When the breakfast meeting began, the company planning director stood and thanked everyone for their participation... for the teamwork, the presentations, the outreach. Applause filled the hall.
Then came the fun part... announcing the results of the pitch competition from the day before.
“Second place,” the host announced, “goes to… Sienna Clarke and her presentation ‘Beyond Limits.’”
Loud cheers followed. Sienna stood up gracefully, flipping her hair back and smiling as she accepted the certificate. Her eyes found Izzy in the crowd... smug, playful. “Told you not to cry when I win,” she mouthed with a wink.
Izzy just smiled politely and clapped along.
“And first place,” the host continued, “goes to… Isabella Hart, for her pitch ‘Future First.’”
The room erupted.
The applause was louder... stronger. and it made her cheeks warm.
Even Sienna’s smile faltered for a second.
Izzy stood up, trying not to blush as Adrian whistled beside her. “That’s my girl!” he called, half-joking, and people laughed.
She walked up to the front to collect her award, shaking the director’s hand.
When she turned around, her eyes instinctively searched the room... and there he was.
Dominic.
Still seated, still composed... but his eyes said everything he wouldn’t.
Pride. Restraint.
And something deeper she couldn’t name.
For a moment, it almost felt like the world went quiet... just the two of them, holding each other’s gaze in silence.
Then Adrian appeared beside her, pulling her into a quick congratulatory hug.
“You were brilliant,” he said softly, pressing a light kiss to her cheek.
The crowd clapped again, but Izzy froze for half a second.
Not because of the kiss.. Adrian had made it and habit to kiss her cheeks, but because she could feel Dominic’s stare from across the room, sharp and unblinking.
When she finally glanced his way, his jaw was tight, his hand around his glass so hard she thought it might crack.
She stepped back from Adrian with a small smile and returned to her seat as if nothing had happened.
After breakfast, everyone headed out to check out of their rooms. The lobby was filled with luggage and goodbyes.
Izzy stood by the counter, waiting for her turn, when Dominic walked in from the side hallway. Their eyes met once.. For Za brief, quiet moment before she turned away.
“Ms. Hart,” he said smoothly, stopping beside her. “Congratulations.”
His tone was calm, professional…. too
professional.
Like he was her boss again and nothing else.
She nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Steele. I appreciate that.”
A beat of silence.
He studied her face for a moment longer, but she kept her gaze fixed on the floor.
“You’ve been avoiding me,” he said quietly.
Her lips curved faintly. “No, I’ve just been busy with work... as you always remind me.”
He exhaled slowly, the corner of his jaw flexing.
“Isabella…” he started, voice lower now, “two nights ago… ”
“…never happened,” she cut in smoothly. “And it won’t happen again.”
Her words hit like glass... sharp but calm. She didn’t raise her voice, didn’t break.
She simply lifted her suitcase and added, “Enjoy the rest of your morning, Mr. Steele.”
Then she walked away.
He didn’t stop her this time. He just watched her go... silent, unreadable, fists clenched by his sides.
Later that afternoon, the resort was filled with noise and movement.
Suitcases rolled across the marble floors, voices echoed in the lobby, and the warm sun streamed through the wide glass doors. People were laughing, hugging, promising to keep in touch as they waited for their buses.
Izzy stood by the entrance with her luggage, watching the busy scene around her. It was finally over... three long, chaotic days filled with meetings, competitions, dinners, and too many emotions she wished she could forget.
It was Saturday.
The retreat had ended.
And for the first time in a while, she was thankful it was the weekend.
No office.
No Dominic.
No pretending to stay calm under his stare.
Just peace.
She took a quiet breath and adjusted the strap of her bag. Her coworkers were chatting nearby Lily, Grace, and a few others...excitedly talking about their favorite moments from the trip.
“I can’t believe it’s already over,” Grace said, sighing. “The food alone was worth the whole retreat.”
“I know, right?” Lily giggled. “And those game nights were wild. Poor Izzy, though... you were right in the middle of all that dare chaos!”
Izzy laughed lightly, shaking her head. “Don’t remind me.”
They teased her playfully for a while before the staff began calling out names for bus boarding. Everyone started moving toward the parking lot, dragging their luggage behind them.