Page 31 of Grumpy Orc CEO
I take a sip of my drink, keeping my tone light and casual. "So, got any exciting plans for the weekend?"
Lucy looks up from her plate, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "Nothing too exciting. I might go for a hike if the weather holds up."
I smile, sensing an opportunity to connect. "Hiking, huh? I went on a pretty challenging trail last weekend. Almost twisted my ankle but managed to power through."
Her eyes light up with interest. "Really? Where did you go?"
"Up in the Greenwoods," I say, leaning back slightly. "There's this hidden trail that not many people know about. The views are incredible."
She nods, her enthusiasm growing. "I love the Greenwoods! I went there last month with some friends. We found this amazing waterfall off the beaten path."
I listen intently as she describes the hike, the excitement in her voice making her even more captivating. She talks about the towering trees, the smell of pine in the air, and how refreshing it was to stand by the waterfall after hours of trekking.
"Sounds like an adventure," I say, genuinely interested. "Did you take any pictures?"
Lucy nods, pulling out her phone to show me a few snapshots. The images are stunning—lush greenery, cascading water, and smiling faces of her friends.
"You've got a good eye," I comment, admiring one particularly well-framed shot of the waterfall.
"Thanks," she replies with a modest smile. "It's hard not to take good pictures when you're surrounded by so much beauty."
As she talks about her love for hiking and nature photography, I make sure to listen closely, nodding at appropriate moments and asking follow-up questions that show my genuine interest.
"You know," I say thoughtfully, "I find hiking clears my mind like nothing else. There's something about being out in nature that helps me reset."
Lucy’s eyes meet mine, and for a moment, there's an unspoken understanding between us. "Exactly," she agrees softly. "It's like everything else fades away, and it's just you and the trail."
I lean in slightly, feeling a deeper connection forming as we share our mutual love for hiking and nature.
"So," I continue with a playful grin, "think you'd ever want to tackle that hidden trail in the Greenwoods? It could be our next adventure."
Lucy laughs softly but doesn’t give me an answer right away. Instead, she takes another bite of her burger, savoring the moment.
For now, that’s enough for me.
Throughout the meal, I keep my focus on Lucy. My eyes hold hers just a second longer each time she looks up, hoping she senses my interest. When she laughs, I make sure to mirror her smile, creating an unspoken connection between us.
At one point, we both reach for the breadbasket at the same time. Our hands brush, and this time, I don’t pull away immediately. I let the touch linger for just a moment longer, feeling the warmth of her skin against mine. I watch as a flicker of something—recognition, perhaps—crosses her face. She feels it too, the undeniable chemistry between us.
“Sorry,” she says softly, retracting her hand with a slight smile.
“No need to apologize,” I reply, keeping my tone light but my gaze steady. “It’s nice to have company..and the bread is good.”
Lucy’s cheeks flush slightly, and she looks down at her plate. The subtle signals seem to be working; I can tell she’s aware of the tension between us.
“So,” I say, shifting the conversation back to lighter topics. “Any good books you’ve read lately?”
She brightens at the question, clearly passionate about reading. “Actually, yes! I just finished this amazing thriller. The plot twists were incredible.”
I lean in, genuinely interested. “Sounds intriguing. What’s it about?”
“It’s about a woman who stops speaking after being accused of murdering her husband,” she says with excitement.
I nod thoughtfully. “I’ll have to check it out.”
Our conversation flows easily from there, covering everything from favorite movies to travel destinations we dream of visiting someday. Each shared laugh and mutual interest feels like another brick removed from the wall she’s built around herself.
As we continue our impromptu lunch, I notice Lucy seems more relaxed than when we first sat down. Her laughter comes more freely now, and her eyes sparkle with genuine enjoyment.