She lifted the phone to her ear with a friendly yet distant chuckle, "Mr. Barlow!"
Barlow's voice came through with enthusiasm, "Ms. Jarvis, about that collaboration we discussed yesterday, I'm in quite a hurry over here. How about we meet tonight to talk details, what do you say?"
Sylvia's tone remained unchanged, "I'm terribly sorry, I'm not feeling very well today and was thinking of heading home early. Let's reschedule!"
Barlow's voice lost some of its warmth, "Turning down a business opportunity that's knocking at your door?"
"Of course not, it's just that I'm really not feeling up to it. I'll set a time to discuss everything with Mr. Barlow soon!"
Barlow let out a meaningful chuckle, "Alright then, I wish Ms. Jarvis a speedy recovery, and let's firm up the details of our partnership as soon as possible."
"Thank you for your trust, Mr. Barlow!"
After hanging up, Sylvia strolled over to the couch and plopped down next to Gabriel, tilting her head to rest on his shoulder, her eyes half-closed as she mumbled, "Don't push me to work. I need to rest a bit. As my bodyguard, you can't have any objections."
Gabriel replied with mock seriousness, "I'm not quite up to speed on the job description. Does a bodyguard's duties include providing kisses and a shoulder to lean on?"
Sylvia nestled into his embrace with a laugh, tilting her head back to look at him, "It's more than that. You're my round-the-clock, full-service bodyguard!"
Gabriel pinched her chin gently, "Is this what bodyguards do?"
Sylvia nearly blurted out a response but caught the words at the tip of her tongue, refraining from speaking out of turn.
Gabriel let go and took a sip of his coffee, which had gone tepid, commenting casually, "Must be tough, a young woman doing business like this."
Leaning on his shoulder, Sylvia's posture was relaxed, but her voice was earnest, "It's good to be busy. As for what others say, I've never cared."
"Take care of yourself!" Gabriel advised.
Sylvia looked down, "I will!"
Sylvia thought to herself, ironically, they had only done that last part!
She replied with a smile, "Got it, let's wrap up for the day!"
"See you, boss!" Milanda waved cheerfully, eager to head home.
The rest of the company had already left, and the office building quieted down. Sylvia walked toward her office at a leisurely pace.
Normally, she often worked late by herself, and the silent, dark office sometimes made her feel too alone.
But today, perhaps because she knew he was waiting for her, she’s happy
Pushing open the door to her office, she saw the man sitting on the sofa, as if a lonely, dark corner had suddenly been filled with an influx of light.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
This is so beautiful and captivating to envision. Thank you for your updates....
Thank you for bringing in all the past elements to bring continuity to Jonathan and Stella love journey. I loved it....
Just smiling and smiling and smiling reading the proceedings of this story. Loving it to the max...
Excited for all the events leading up to Jonathan getting his bride. Thank you for the updates....
Beautiful how everything is flowing together. Thank you for the updates....
Appreciate the storyline and direction.. Nothing seems rushed and patiently focusing on each and every character of the story, leaving no stone unturned. Even more intresting to read by the day...
And the plot thickens…thank you for the updates....
Ooooo, thank you thank you thank you for continuing to update the novel 🤩...
Ooooo, thank you thank you thank you for continuing to update the novel 🤩...
No updates??...