Chapter 2: Alone with him after fifteen years

Wren pushed the glass door open and stepped back into the hall. It was quieter. Just a few people were left around the table, all focused on one thing or another. They all seemed very busy. And him, Theo. He was going through the company documents.

She took a deep breath. Her hands shaking, she walked to a seat then sat down and bent her head downward, praying in her heart.

Soon the door opened. Cole Bennett, Theo's personal assistant, walked in. He was of average height, broad-shouldered, with transparent glasses that suited him well and a simple fitted suit.

"I've gone through the company facilities," Cole said, walking toward where Theo was seated. "And most of them aren't good enough. Some are damaged. So we will need new ones."

"Fine, we'll get better facilities for the running of the company," Theo replied, as he continued going through the documents.

Cole then sat on a chair.

Wren listened to what they were saying, her head bent.

"Ms. Michaels," Theo called, raising his head from the documents and looking at Wren.

Wren's heart sank. Her hands began to shake again. Heat covered her body. Her heart beat loudly.

She raised her head, replying to Theo.

"Sir!"

"You are the Operations Director of Harborline. In what areas do you think this company needs help?" Theo asked, keeping eye contact with Wren.

Wren was frozen. She didn't know how to answer. She stared at Theo and then went absent-minded.

The silence that followed was long. Cole and the other directors sitting around the table turned, staring at Wren, waiting for her to give a response.

"Ms. Michaels!" Cole called.

Wren quickly pulled herself together, turning and looking at everyone in the hall who was staring at her.

"Are you okay?" Cole asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"The CEO asked you a question," Cole added.

Wren got slowly to her feet. She tried not to make eye contact with Theo. She bent her head, looking at the table. Then she replied,

"I'm sorry, sir. A lot of areas need attention in the company, such as the guest service response. It's slow at times, especially at the front desk. Outdated plumbing, a lot of leaking pipes, low water pressure in guest rooms. Also, high staff turnover, inconsistent---."

Cole interrupted, "But during my survey, I checked the plumbing and it isn't damaged, and no pipes are leaking."

A few of the directors around the table exchanged glances. Someone near the end cleared his throat.

"Yeah, that's true. I made a mistake. I'm sorry for that," Wren replied.

The silence that followed felt heavier than the one before.

Then Theo smiled, and it left his face in a second.

"That's enough. You can sit," he said.

Wren sat. Her hands were shaking so much that if someone were beside her, it would be noticeable.

She kept her head down, humiliated for the first time in Theo's presence after fifteen years. She slowly raised her head, looking at Theo as he spoke to another director in the hall.

Then she had the feeling that he didn't remember her. The way he said her name wasn't the way Theo of fifteen years ago had said it. The way he looked at her was like they had never known each other until that day.

The meeting was over. Directors were all leaving the hall. Wren stood up. She wanted to leave. She regretted attending this meeting. It was like all hell had broken loose on her.

"Ms. Michaels," Theo called out.

Wren turned, looking at Theo.

"I'd like to see you privately," he finished.

Wren's heart began beating fast, and she walked back to her seat, waiting for Theo to finish what he was doing so he could attend to her.

A thought crossed her mind: Maybe he remembers me. He truly does.

The hall got empty and quiet. Only the hum of the AC remained. Everyone had left. It was just Wren and Theo, alone, for the first time in fifteen years.

Theo stood from his seat and walked toward where Wren was seated, both hands buried in his pockets, his footsteps loud on the carpet.

Wren looked at Theo as he walked closer to her. Her heart pounded faster. Her legs began to wobble. Her fingers were vibrating. Her breath became heavy and fast.

He stood, staring at Wren for a long moment, not knowing how to start.

"Sir, you asked to see me?" Wren said, breaking the silence with her shaking voice.

"Yes," Theo replied. "Ms. Michaels, you'll be on the transition team."

"The transition team?"

"Yes."

Wren swallowed hard.

Theo walked to a window with his hands still in his pockets. He looked out the window.

"I know you don't want it, Wren," he said.

Wren's eyes widened. She stared at Theo as his back was to her.

"You... you remember me," Wren said.

Theo turned from the window. He looked at her.

"I didn't forget you, Wren. For the past fifteen years, Wren, each day of my life, I remembered you." He paused.

"You think I walked into that meeting and didn't know exactly who you were the second I saw your face?"

She shook her head slowly.

"Then why," she stopped, tried again. "Why didn't you ever write? You promised."

Her eyes got wet. She tried to hold in the tears but she couldn't. They rolled down her cheeks. She continued,

"Why didn't you? I waited days, months, years, to see if you would send a letter. But you didn't. You made me miss you more. You made me cry. Each night, I dreamed that I received a letter from you. I prayed that one day you'd send a letter."

"I'm sorry. It's not that simple," Theo replied. "I'll explain everything to you, but---"

"But what, Theo?" His name slipped out of her mouth before she could stop it.

"Wren, let me explain," Theo said.

Wren stood from her seat.

"I won't listen, Theo. No matter how sorry you are." She turned to leave, taking a step toward the door.

Then Theo grabbed her hand.

"You're right to be mad at me. You have every right to hate me. But Wren, just listen to me for five minutes, please."

Tears rolled down Wren's cheeks.

Cole rushed into the hall, looking panicked and worried.

"Theo," he paused, seeing Theo and Wren.

"What is it?" Theo asked with a harsh tone.

"Isabelle is here. She is headed to this hall as we speak," Cole finished.

Theo's eyes widened. He stared at Cole.