Chapter 5

It was day two of the Chris McLean Young Business Leaders Development Program.

"Today's activity is about teamwork and problem-solving. I've organised you all into pairs, and you'll be working together with your partner on a hypothetical business case study. As part of the case study, you'll also need to come up with a new business idea - and no, it can't be the same as the existing industry you're in." Chris started circling around the room, handing each attendee the activity brief, and then proceeded to announce all the groups.

"...And our final pair is Heather and Alejandro. Ok, you may now all get started."

"What?! I'm not working with him!" Heather protested, as the other attendees all started getting up from their seats to sit with their partner.

"Yeah, because you're so good at turning people off," Alejandro retorted.

"Excuse me?!"

"Both of you, zip it," Chris growled. "I only put you two together because I saw you bickering with each other on day one. This isn't high school, just learn to put aside whatever differences you have and work together for the activity."

Heather pursed her lips and folded her arms.

"It's only for one day, chica." Alejandro smirked, as he took a seat next to Heather. "And besides, there's no need to get all worked up; it's not like we're getting married or anything."

"Ew!" Heather scoffed.

Alejandro pretended that he didn't hear that last comment, instead turning his focus to carefully studying the brief in front of him. "This case study is fantastic!" he exclaimed. "Chris will be so impressed at all the marvellous ideas I have!"

"Alright, Mr know it all, let's hear what 'marvellous ideas' you've got," Heather rolled her eyes.

"Well, for starters, how about we choose a restaurant for our business idea? Like a sushi restaurant for instance - sushi's your favorite food, sí?" Alejandro almost instantly blurted out, and then regretted it immediately once he realized what he had said. Out of all possible ideas, why did this have to be the thing to come out of my mouth! He let out a sheepish grin and scratched his head. Estúpido!

Heather raised an eyebrow. "How did you know sushi's my favorite food?"

"Well, I am an expert at women," Alejandro faked a laugh.

"As if I'm buying that. Liar, liar pants on fire," Heather glared at him.

"Alright, alright," Alejandro sighed in defeat. "I heard it from that interview you did -"

"You watched my interview?" Heather was genuinely surprised for a moment, and then quickly changed her tone. "A flirt, a jerk, and a stalker. Who would've guessed?" she scoffed.

"I was not aware that watching a public video on a public website would be considered stalking." Alejandro attempted to defend himself innocently. "Besides, I do love an ambitious and driven woman," he added with a cocky grin.

"That's just, you- ugh, whatever!" Heather could feel her cheeks turning red again, and she was starting to realize that this seemed to be a somewhat frequent occurrence whenever she was around Alejandro. She turned her head around to avoid facing him.

Alejandro let out a tiny, confident smirk. She'll come around.

"Ok fine, sushi it is. But I'm picking the details." Heather spun back around moments later, letting out an exasperated sigh and crossing her arms.

"Let's do this," he grinned.

***

It was the final day of the program; the activities portion had officially concluded and the attendees now had the rest of the day to relax before they would be departing the hotel tomorrow.

Ok, so maybe working with Alejandro on that case study didn't turn out to be so bad after all, Heather thought as she slowly stepped into the hotel pool in her bikini. Despite his annoying flirtatious remarks every now and then, she found that they easily bounced ideas off one another and she did have to admit, he was actually pretty smart.

Wait, why am I even thinking about him, ugh! Maybe this swim will help me to refocus.

Alejandro was in his swimwear and had planned to do some light reading by the pool when he saw Heather swimming laps. A small smile formed on his face as he made himself comfortable in the pool chair next to what appeared to be her belongings.

Heather was so focused on what she was doing that she was completely unaware that he was sitting there, sneaking glances at her.

When she eventually got out of the pool and walked back to her seat, she let out a sigh and slumped down. That handsome jerk just had to sit in the chair next to mine! She ignored him and tried to block the sight of his perfectly tanned abs, instead focusing on grabbing her sunblock out from her bag and applying it over her body.

"Would you like a hand with that?" Alejandro asked.

"No, I've got it," Heather replied coolly. Alejandro was secretly disappointed that she said no. He found himself imagining what it would be like if he could run his hands over her smooth skin.

"And don't you dare even think about what I think you're thinking of," Heather began, as if reading his mind. "Or those chiselled abs -" she immediately froze after realizing what she'd said.

"Chiselled, did you say?"

"I mean grizzled! Grizzled!" Heather retorted.

"If you say so," Alejandro smirked.

"And if you don't wipe that stupid smirk off your face, I'm going to push you into the pool," Heather challenged.

"Is that a threat? I'd like to see that." The smirk on his face remained.

Heather got up from her seat and stormed over to Alejandro's chair.

"Hey!" Alejandro let out a laugh. "Wait! Look over there," he protested, pointing in the opposite direction.

"Nice try," Heather retorted.

"No, you've got to see this!" Alejandro exclaimed. "Is that...Chris?"

Heather turned her head around and let out a laugh. "Oh my god, yeah that's him!"

Chris McLean was standing at the opposite end of the pool with a drink in his hand; he was wearing speedos and had these funny looking goggles on his head. For some reason, he also looked shorter when he was in his swimwear.

"He's so annoying and dramatic," Alejandro shook his head. "And he's always doing this funny and dramatic thing with his hands when he talks - like this." Alejandro began moving his hands in an up and down motion in an attempt to imitate Chris.

Heather burst out laughing. "I thought I was the only one who noticed that!"

Alejandro gazed at her - this was the first time he'd seen her laugh like that, and a single thought echoed his mind: it was cute.

"And actually, you didn't do that properly," Heather smirked. "It's more like this." Heather began waving her hands and imitating the way Chris spoke in a high-pitched voice. For some reason, she felt good letting herself loose around him. Alejandro couldn't help but laugh, in a good way, at what he was seeing. "I should record that on my phone," he smirked.

"Don't even think about it!" Heather laughed.

Just then, Heather's phone started ringing, and when she saw who the call was from, her laughter stopped and the smile on her face was replaced with a look of exasperation. It was as if the sky had suddenly turned from blue to grey.

"Is everything alright?" Alejandro had a concerned look on his face.

Heather sighed in annoyance. "It's just my mom."

"Are you going to pick up?" Alejandro asked gently.

"Well growing up, my mom treated me like I was garbage. She always criticized every single thing I did, no matter how big or small, and she basically ingrained in me that I was worthless compared to my siblings. She also kicked me out of the house as soon as I finished high school. We haven't talked in 4 years so I don't know why she's suddenly been calling me now. She probably just wants money or something now that I'm successful and have my own business!"

Heather immediately gulped. This was very out of character for her and she didn't intend to share all of that with him. But it just suddenly all came spiralling out, like a tiny rock being dragged by the strong current of a waterfall. She wasn't used to being vulnerable, nor did she like being vulnerable, so why did she suddenly feel the need to be vulnerable with him? Would he judge her? And why would she even care?

"Heather, I'm so sorry, no one deserves to be treated like that," Alejandro firmly but gently said. He hung his head low, taking in what Heather had said. For some reason, he felt an unexplainable sting of pain that this had been her childhood and upbringing. Neither of them said anything for a moment.

Eventually, Alejandro's thoughts trailed back to his own mother.

"What's on your mind?" Heather found herself eventually breaking the silence.

"I was just thinking of my mom - she passed away from illness only a year after my family moved to Canada." He looked down and let out a tiny sniffle. "I- I apologize for getting all emotional."

"No, don't apologize," Heather said. She looked over at Alejandro as if she were getting to know him for the first time. He has a heart and emotions too. She hesitated for a moment, not knowing whether or not to ask him the question that came out of her mouth next. "Is that why on the first day you said if you had a million dollars you'd set up a charity for women's health?"

Alejandro nodded without saying anything further, and the two of them sat together in silence once more for the next few minutes, observing the people swimming and playing around in the pool.

The sky was now a beautiful palette of pastel colors, and the late afternoon breeze blew lightly through the air, gently rustling Heather's long black raven hair. Alejandro watched as she tucked a strand of stray hair behind her ears. She's beautiful, he thought.

He would be leaving the hotel early tomorrow morning for his flight, and he wasn't sure when, or if he'd see her again back in Toronto after the program. He wished that he could pause this moment in time, or that he could reach over and put his hand over her's, or if he dared to say it, pull her into a warm embrace.

But there was something he needed to get off his chest first.

"Heather," he began. "I want to apologize about the Dakota situation - I did tell my father and brother what I heard from Lindsay, but I wasn't aware that they actually ended up pursuing the deal. If I knew, I wouldn't have told them. I hope you can trust my word." He meant what he said.

Heather studied his face closely. He looked genuine. "It's ugh, whatever, if she was that easily persuaded she's not the right person for my business anyway." She let out a tiny smile.

Alejandro smiled back. He instinctively inched closer to her and their eyes locked.

And then they both felt it - a spark in the air, desperate to be ignited.

But how long would a spark last for? Heather was afraid of the answer.

"I should get going now," she quickly said. Alejandro watched as she hastily picked up her things from the table in front of them and headed inside the hotel, an empty feeling taking over his chest and body.

A/N - thank you so much to everyone for reading and for your support thus far!! I especially loved writing the pool scene in this chapter - it's such a pivotal moment for them, and hope you enjoyed reading it too :) I also think it's super cute that Alejandro remembered what Heather's fave food was from when he watched her interview (back in chapter 2!)

Next chapter will be out next week - things are going to start to become more intense, stay tuned & hope you all have an amazing week :)