9:21 a.m. - MistTech Building, 3rd floor
The MistTech automatic sliding doors eased open with a soft whisper, revealing Jay Carson and his manager, Feng, as they stepped out of the Medical Division's central office. Jay walked ahead with long, purposeful strides, hands tucked into his pockets. His brows were slightly furrowed. His usual expression of quiet focus.
Feng followed closely behind, a thick folder clutched neatly in his arms. The documents inside held everything-from credentials and project portfolios to personal bios.
They had already met the leader of Team B and reviewed the six members from both Team A and B, but the leader of Team A had yet to show.
"Perhaps we should return tomorrow, Mr. Carson,"
Feng suggested, glancing at Jay with slight unease. He knew how much Jay despised tardiness especially during formal meetings.
Jay didn't stop walking.
"There's no need. Missing one team leader isn't enough to irritate me. This visit is just to get a sense of who we'll be working with."
Just as they approached the elevators, one of them slid open. Serena stepped out, her eyes fixed on her phone. Jay, eyes momentarily on his smartwatch, passed by her without a glance.
They brushed shoulders, but neither noticed.
Inside the elevator, as it began to descend, Feng hesitated. His lips formed a thin line before he finally spoke.
"Would you like me to schedule a separate meeting with her?"
Jay's expression didn't change, but his eyes shifted as Feng flipped open the folder and discreetly pointed to one profile.
His gaze landed on the second name.
Name: Serena Sherran
Age: 29
Date of Birth: July 6, 1996
Education: University of Hertfordshire (entered at age 19)
Degree: MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) - Graduated at 23
Certifications: Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA)
Position: Lead Medical Designer, MistTech - Team A
Jay studied the profile, his brow subtly lifting.
A well educated woman, he thought.
He closed the file without a word.
And yet, something about that name lingered in his mind.
He didn't know why.
He couldn't explain the strange tug beneath his ribs, or why his gaze had unknowingly searched the office for a face he'd never met.
Not knowingly.
~~~~
Serena walked briskly through the Medical Division, the soft click of her heels echoing against the polished floors. She offered polite nods to passing colleagues, though her mind was already several steps ahead—notes to review, reports to finalize, and the nagging regret of arriving later than usual.
She paused briefly outside her office, catching her reflection in the frosted glass. A quiet sigh escaped her lips as she adjusted her brown blazer, smoothing out a faint wrinkle near the collar.
“Morning, Mrs. Sherran,” came a voice from behind, Hakeem, clipboard in hand, offering a brief smile as he passed.
She returned it, focused. “Has Team A been briefed yet?”
“Just wrapped up five minutes ago,” Hakeem replied. “Someone from J Med & Co. was here, probably the guy in charge of the collaboration with our team and Team B.”
Her eyes flickered with interest.
“Someone from J Med & Co...” she repeated, trying to stir a memory that lingered just out of reach.
“Jùn Míng,” Hakeem said, beating her to it.
“Oh…”
The name clicked, a quiet realization blooming in her chest. She gave a small nod, tamping down the flutter of curiosity that rose unexpectedly. Straightening her shoulders, she made her way to the workstation where her team had gathered.
“Sorry I’m late,” she greeted them firmly. “Let’s get right to it.”
Across the building, the elevator doors slid shut with a soft hiss.
Inside, Jay stood silently beside Feng, arms folded, gaze cast down as he tapped a button on his watch to check his upcoming schedule. His expression was unreadable, focused yet distant.
Feng stole a glance at him, noticing the familiar silence before clearing his throat.
“Ah- right…are you sure you don’t want to go for a check up today?”
Jay didn’t respond immediately.
Feng hesitated, then added more gently, “You said you were fine five days ago, but… after the appointment, when you got back in the car- your bpm was acting strange. The watch wouldn’t stop beeping.”
Jay’s thumb brushed lightly over the screen of his smartwatch.
“I remember,” he said simply, but offered nothing more.
ns216.73.217.39da2
and then Add to home screen.