The Eyes I Couldn't Forget

Zevran's POV

Morning sunlight seeped through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the presidential suite, pulling me out of a restless sleep.

A dull headache throbbed behind my eyes.

I rubbed my temples before slowly sitting up.

I rarely drank.

And I never brought strangers back to my suite.

Yet somehow...

Last night, I did.

My gaze instinctively shifted to the other side of the bed.

Empty.

She was gone.

For a few moments, I simply stared at the untouched pillow beside me.

Then my eyes landed on the faint crimson stain against the white sheets.

Fragments of last night flashed through my mind.

A woman crying alone in a bar.

Her trembling voice.

The smell of alcohol.

The way she collapsed before I could stop her.

After that...

Everything became a blur.

I exhaled quietly.

"It doesn't matter."

Pulling the sheets over the mattress, I buried every trace of what had happened.

She was a stranger.

I didn't know her name.

I didn't know her story.

And I had no reason to find out.

Whatever happened between us ended the moment she walked out of this room.

After taking a quick shower, I changed into my charcoal-gray suit and left the suite without looking back.

Outside, the hotel manager immediately bowed.

"Good morning, Mr. Altamirano."

"Prepare the car."

"Right away, sir."

The ride to the Altamirano Group headquarters was silent.

I watched the city pass by through the tinted window.

Millions of people.

Millions of different lives.

She was only one stranger among them.

Someone I would probably never meet again.

Or so I believed.

---

By the time I arrived at the office, my schedule was already packed.

Board meeting.

Contract signing.

Conference call with Singapore.

Dinner with investors.

Work had always been my escape.

Emotions only got in the way.

As CEO of the Altamirano Group, I couldn't afford distractions.

Not anymore.

Hours later, Marcus entered my office carrying a transparent evidence pouch.

"This was sent from the hotel, sir."

I looked up.

Inside was a simple blue hair tie and a plain white handkerchief.

Nothing expensive.

Nothing remarkable.

"Housekeeping found them in your suite."

For reasons I couldn't explain, I stared at them a little longer than necessary.

Then I looked away.

"Return them to Lost and Found."

"Yes, sir."

Marcus left.

I returned to reviewing the documents on my desk.

But no matter how hard I tried...

Those tear-filled eyes refused to leave my mind.

A knock interrupted my thoughts.

"Come in."

Marcus stepped inside once again.

"Sir, your grandmother has been calling since this morning."

I sighed.

"Tell Grandma I'll visit this weekend."

"She specifically asked you to come tonight."

I loosened my tie.

"Did she say why?"

Marcus hesitated.

"She said she's worried you'll spend the rest of your life married to your company."

A faint, humorless smile crossed my lips.

"The company has never betrayed me."

Marcus wisely remained silent.

Just then, my phone vibrated.

Grandma Isabella Calling...

I stared at the screen for a few seconds before answering.

"Grandma."

"Zevran," her warm voice greeted. "Stop working for one evening and come home."

"I'm busy."

"You've been busy for five years."

I closed my eyes.

"I'll try."

"You will," she replied confidently before ending the call.

The line went dead.

I placed my phone on the desk and returned to my paperwork.

Completely unaware...

That somewhere, a woman carrying my child had just begun fighting the hardest battle of her life.

And fate was already preparing our paths to cross once again.

FIVE YEARS LATER

For most people, it was enough time to build a family.

For me, it was enough time to build an empire.

The Altamirano Group had expanded across Asia, with luxury hotels, real estate, and hospitality businesses carrying our name in different countries.

Success came with a price.

Long hours.

Endless meetings.

Sleepless nights.

But I never complained.

Work had become my entire life.

My assistant, Marcus, entered my office carrying a tablet.

"Good morning, sir."

"Morning."

"Your schedule for today."

He placed the tablet on my desk.

I skimmed through the appointments.

Board meeting.

Contract signing.

Hotel inspection.

Charity gala tonight.

"Anything urgent?" I asked.

Marcus nodded.

"The renovation of Altamirano Grand Hotel has been completed. The management is requesting your inspection before the grand reopening."

"I'll be there in an hour."

"Yes, sir."

As Marcus turned to leave, he suddenly stopped.

"Sir..."

"What is it?"

"Mrs. Isabella is waiting downstairs."

I sighed.

"Send her in."

A few moments later, the office door opened.

My grandmother walked in with her usual graceful smile.

"Grandma."

She looked me over before shaking her head.

"You're getting thinner."

"I'm fine."

"You always say that."

She sat across from me without waiting for an invitation.

"When was your last vacation?"

"I don't remember."

"When was your last date?"

"I don't remember that either."

She clicked her tongue.

"You're thirty-three, Zevran."

"I'm aware."

"I want great-grandchildren before I die."

I let out a quiet sigh.

"We've had this conversation before."

"And we'll keep having it until you listen."

I couldn't help but smile faintly.

Only my grandmother could speak to me like that.

She reached across the table and gently patted my hand.

"Money can't keep you warm at night, grandson."

I looked away.

"I'm not looking for love."

"Maybe love will find you instead."

Before I could answer, Marcus knocked on the door.

"Sir, the car is ready."

I stood up.

"I have to go."

Grandma Isabella smiled knowingly.

"Go. But don't keep your heart locked forever."

I gave her a small nod before leaving the office.

An hour later...

My car stopped in front of the newly renovated Altamirano Grand Hotel.

The management team was already waiting outside.

"Welcome, Mr. Altamirano."

I acknowledged them with a nod.

"Let's begin."

They guided me through the hotel's grand lobby, proudly explaining every improvement they had made over the past several months.

As we turned into one of the executive hallways, the quiet atmosphere was suddenly broken by the sound of children's laughter.

"Kuya, wait for me!" a little boy shouted as he chased after another child.

Both of them looked no older than five.

Before anyone could stop them, one of the boys accidentally ran straight into me.

Thud.

The little boy stumbled backward and landed on the carpet.

For a brief second...

Time seemed to stand still.

Instead of crying, the boy looked up at me with wide, innocent eyes.

"I'm sorry, Mister..."

Without thinking, I bent down and offered him my hand.

"Are you hurt?"

He shook his head before taking my hand.

The moment our skin touched...

A strange feeling settled deep inside my chest.

Warm.

Unfamiliar.

Almost... comforting.

I frowned.

Why?

I had shaken hands with countless people throughout my life.

Why did touching this child feel different?

Before I could make sense of it, another little boy hurried over and stood protectively in front of him.

"Kuya, are you okay?"

"I'm okay."

The younger one turned to me and bowed his head politely.

"Sorry, Mister. We weren't looking."

For reasons I couldn't explain...

I couldn't take my eyes off them.

Their bright smiles.

Their sparkling eyes.

Even the way they looked at each other.

It stirred something inside me that had long been buried.

"Sir?"

Marcus called softly.

I didn't answer.

I simply continued staring at the two boys.

Then hurried footsteps echoed through the hallway.

"Kiel! Kian!"

A woman's worried voice filled the air.

The twins immediately turned around.

"Mommy!"

She rushed toward them, checking if either of them was hurt before pulling them into a protective embrace.

"I'm so sorry, sir," she said without looking at me. "They got too excited."

When she finally lifted her head...

Our eyes met.

For a heartbeat...

Everything around me faded.

Those eyes...

I had seen them before.

Somewhere.

Somehow.

But before I could remember where...

She lowered her gaze, took the boys' hands, and quickly walked away.

I remained rooted in place, watching the three of them disappear around the corner.

A strange heaviness settled in my chest.

As if fate had just brushed past me...

Leaving behind a feeling I couldn't explain.