Reunited

The site's manager, a gruff but kind-hearted man named Mr. Jenkins, looked me up and down before nodding in approval. "Ah, Lena Grant, welcome to our humble dragon site. I trust Charlie here has shown you around?" He smiled warmly, and I couldn't help but notice the faint lines etched on his face, a testament to his years of working with the majestic creatures. Charlie, standing beside me, nodded and smiled. "Yes, Mr. Jenkins. I've been showing Sadie – or Lena, I should say – around the site. She's interested in working with our team." His eyes sparkled with amusement, and I felt a flutter in my chest. It had been years since we'd last seen each other, and yet, the connection between us remained strong. Mr. Jenkins's eyes lit up. "Excellent! We could always use someone with her skills. Charlie, why don't you show her to her quarters and get her settled? We can discuss the details of her role tomorrow." As we walked towards the living quarters, Charlie chatted with me about the site's operations, and I listened intently, taking mental notes. But I couldn't shake the feeling that Charlie was watching me, his eyes lingering on my face. As we entered the cozy quarters, Charlie gestured for me to take a seat. "So, Sadie – I mean, Lena – what made you decide to leave your old job and work with dragons?" His eyes sparkled with curiosity, and I felt a pang of guilt for deceiving him. I shrugged, trying to play it cool. "I've always been fascinated by dragons. I used to work with magical creatures, but I wanted a change of pace. And I heard this site was one of the best." Charlie nodded thoughtfully, and I could tell he was buying my story. But as we talked, I couldn't help but notice the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled, or the way his hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck. As the evening drew to a close, Charlie stood up. "Well, I should let you get some rest. We've got an early start tomorrow. I'll show you to your room." As we walked down the corridor, Charlie's arm brushed against mine, sending a spark of electricity through me. I felt a flutter in my chest, and I quickly pushed the feeling aside. I was here on a mission, not to rekindle old friendships or feelings. But as I lay in bed that night, I couldn't shake the feeling that Charlie was more than just a friendly acquaintance. He had a way of making me feel seen, of understanding me in a way that few others did. And I couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking, really. Was he just being friendly, or was there something more behind his eyes? The next morning, Charlie met me in the main hall, a cup of coffee in hand. "Ready to get started?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. I nodded, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation. Today was the day I would start digging deeper into the trading company's operation. As we walked towards the enclosures, Charlie filled me in on the day's schedule. We were going to be working with a group of young dragons, teaching them to respond to commands and handlers. I listened intently, asking questions and taking mental notes. But as we worked with the dragons, I couldn't help but feel like Charlie was watching me, testing me in some way. And I couldn't shake the feeling that he knew more about me than I was letting on. I tried to push the feeling aside, focusing on the task at hand. But I couldn't help but wonder what Charlie really thought of me, and what lay ahead for us on this journey. As the day wore on, I found myself growing more and more comfortable around Charlie and the team. They were a tight-knit group, and I felt like I was starting to fit in. But I knew that I had to be careful. One misstep, and my cover could be blown. As we took a break for lunch, Charlie turned to me and said, "You know, Lena, I have to say, I'm impressed. You've got a real way with dragons." I smiled, feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment. "Thanks, Charlie. I've always loved working with magical creatures." Charlie's eyes lingered on mine, and for a moment, I thought I saw something more than just friendship in his eyes. But then, he smiled and turned away, and I was left wondering if I had just imagined it. I pushed the feeling aside, focusing on the task at hand. But I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for us, and what secrets Charlie might be hiding.