Chapter 85

That night, there were no teasing distractions—just quiet intimacy as we curled up in bed together. Monique rested her head against my chest, her fingers tracing absentminded patterns on my skin. We whispered about the future, about possibilities, about how life had changed so much in just a few weeks. Eventually, sleep claimed us, and when I woke the next morning, it was to the soft warmth of her body still wrapped around mine. For once, we weren’t in a rush. We took our time getting out of bed, enjoying a slow morning. Monique stretched luxuriously, sighing as she rolled onto her stomach. “Do we have to get up?” she murmured sleepily. I smirked. “Unless you want to show up at the meeting in pajamas...” She groaned dramatically but finally sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. We showered separately to avoid any ... distractions, then dressed for the day. I slipped on a crisp white button-down and navy dress pants, sighing as I eyed the suit jacket hanging in the closet. Monique emerged from the bathroom, adjusting the collar of her deep navy blazer over a fitted cream blouse, paired with a tailored skirt that hugged her curves in all the right places. She looked effortlessly professional—and breathtaking. I gave her an appreciative once-over. “You’re going to steal the show.” She grinned, smoothing her skirt. “I hope so.”

We left the hotel and caught an Uber to the outskirts of Geneva, where Swiss Tech’s offices were located. The ride took us along the edge of Lake Geneva, the water shimmering in the morning sunlight, with the distant Alps rising majestically in the background. “This city is incredible,” Monique murmured, watching the scenery pass by. I smiled. “It really is. Maybe we should come back for a real vacation sometime.” She turned to me, eyes bright. “I’d love that.” Soon, the car pulled up in front of a sleek, modern office building. Unlike the old, grand architecture in the city center, Swiss Tech’s headquarters was all glass and steel—minimalist, clean, and efficient. Inside, the lobby was bustling but not overly formal. The employees we saw were young, dressed in business casual—button-downs, slacks, and even some sneakers. There was an energy in the air, different from the stiff, traditional corporate environments I’d encountered in the past. A friendly receptionist greeted us and led us toward the meeting space. As we walked, Monique leaned in. “This feels nothing like what I expected.” I chuckled. “Not all Swiss companies are old-school banking institutions. Tech companies tend to have a different culture.” We were given a brief tour of the open-plan office, where teams worked at sleek workstations, collaborating in glass-walled conference rooms. The atmosphere was dynamic—employees moved freely, chatting with colleagues, their workspaces personalized with plants, books, and even the occasional set of headphones. Finally, we were shown into a large, well-lit boardroom. Monique took a deep breath. “Here we go.” I squeezed her hand. “You’re going to do great.” With a final reassuring smile, we stepped inside, ready to face the meeting that would officially seal the deal.