Leo tiptoed home just before midnight, a mix of exhaustion and amusement washing over him as he approached Mina’s room. He pushed the door open, and there she was—sprawled across her desk, snoring softly, with her head resting on a chaotic pile of papers. The glow of her laptop illuminated her like a makeshift spotlight, turning the scene into a bizarre drama.
Files were scattered everywhere, resembling a tornado’s aftermath, while an empty wine bottle lay on its side, drunkenly swaying as if caught in a dance. A glass had toppled over, its contents spilled like a casualty in the battle against fatigue and project stress. Clearly, Mina was on a quest for solutions, fueled by liquid courage and determination—or maybe just a desperate need for a nightcap.
Chuckling to himself, Leo approached her. “Ah, the dedicated intern, fighting against the demons of a failing project, one sip at a time,” he mused. With exaggerated care, he scooped her up from the chair, earning a tiny groan in protest. “Don’t worry, I’ve got you,” he whispered dramatically, pretending he was a gallant knight rescuing a damsel in distress.
As he laid her down on the bed, she mumbled something incomprehensible, her eyes still closed. Just when he thought he could escape unscathed, her hand shot out, clutching his wrist with surprising strength. “Where are you going? Don’t leave! Teach me how to… love?” she slurred, her voice a mix of confusion and drunken bravado.
Leo stifled a laugh, shaking his head. “Mina, I think you might want to save that for the morning after, preferably when you’re sober,” he teased, brushing a loose strand of hair from her forehead. “You really need to stop watching those rom-coms. They’re ruining your perception of reality.”
He carefully pried her fingers off his wrist. “It’s just a dream, my love-struck friend,” he said with a playful smirk. “But seriously, ‘teach me how to love’? You sound like you’re auditioning for a bad soap opera.”
Just as he turned to leave, he glanced back at her peaceful face, which was now blissfully unaware of her earlier antics. “Get some rest, Mina. You’re tipsy and babbling. Tomorrow, we’ll tackle this project like responsible adults—after coffee, of course,” he whispered with a chuckle. He closed the door behind him, shaking his head in disbelief at the hilarity of it all, feeling like he had just survived a particularly ridiculous episode of a sitcom.
*
The next morning, Leo and Mina made their way back to the office, the morning sun casting a warm glow on the streets of Paris. As they passed the construction site, Mina noticed an unusual silence enveloping the area. “Why is it so quiet here?” she asked, peering out the window. “Wasn’t it packed with protestors yesterday, demanding something about a hotel or whatever?”
Leo raised an eyebrow, glancing over at her. “Should it be noisy every day? You think they’re going to throw a parade just because we’re here?”
Mina paused, her mouth slightly agape. “Well, I mean, I figured they’d still be… protesting?”
“Actually, everything’s settled,” Leo replied, a smirk creeping onto his face.
Mina’s expression morphed into disbelief. “What do you mean ‘settled’? I spent half the night brainstorming solutions like some caffeinated owl, and you’re telling me it was all for nothing?”
Leo shrugged nonchalantly. “Welcome to corporate life, Mina. Sometimes you save the day without even trying. Or, in my case, by just looking really good in a suit.” He winked at her, clearly enjoying himself.
Mina rolled her eyes, not impressed. “I just want a chance to contribute something meaningful. I didn’t come all this way to watch you look handsome and dodge protests.”
Once they arrived at the company, Mina and Leo made their way to the meeting room, only to run into Ryan, who was on his way inside. Mina squinted, trying to place him. “Who’s that guy?” she asked, tilting her head as if that would help her identify him.
“That’s Ryan,” Leo explained casually. “The one responsible for yesterday’s ruckus.”
Mina’s jaw dropped. “Wait, he’s the one behind all that chaos? Seriously? I mean, look at him! He looks like he’d lose a fight to a wet napkin!”
Leo chuckled, “Well, he does have a knack for stirring up trouble. It’s almost impressive.”
Fuming, Mina marched up to Ryan, who was adjusting his tie and checking his reflection in the glass doors. “Excuse me!” she shouted, startling him. “You’re the reason my first job has turned into a circus act! Do you have any idea how hard I worked last night, only to find out you’ve been causing all this drama?”
Ryan turned, a look of confusion plastered across his face. “And you are…?”
“I’m Mina, I mean… Mia, the one trying to clean up your mess!” she shot back, crossing her arms defiantly.
Ryan chuckled, almost condescendingly. “Oh please, little girl. What do you know about business?”
Mina stepped closer, her finger poking him in the chest. “I know you’re a walking disaster! Do you have a talent for making things worse, or is that just a hobby of yours?”
He smirked, clearly not intimidated. “Is that supposed to scare me? I don’t take orders from junior interns.”
Just then, Leo stepped in, sensing the tension rising. “You might want to think twice before you try to intimidate her,” he warned, his voice low and serious. “Touch her, and I’ll make sure your hand gets acquainted with the floor.”
Ryan’s eyes widened in disbelief, and he raised his hands in mock surrender. “I’m just saying, it’s cute that she thinks she can talk to me like that.”
“Oh, it’s definitely cute,” Leo shot back. “But if you lay a finger on her, I’ll turn that cute little smirk into a frown faster than you can say ‘corporate disaster.’”
Mina couldn’t help but snicker at the absurdity of the situation. “Honestly, Ryan, you’re really not worth my time. I’m just baffled that someone like you has any say in this company.”
Ryan, feeling the heat of embarrassment, stepped back. “You’re lucky you’re cute, or I’d really be offended,” he retorted, trying to regain his footing.
Leo leaned in, whispering conspiratorially to Mina, “See? Just a typical bully. I’d offer him a juice box, but I think he might spill it on himself.”