Chapter 4: The Ghost from his Past

Noah

Nothing could have prepared me for how satisfying it felt to see the shock on Aria's face. It was better than I had imagined.

Her lips parted slightly, her eyes widening like they might pop out at any second, yet she still looked beautiful. Even in those loose pants and soft pink blouse that concealed her body. Her slipped oversized eyeglasses swallowed half her face, and her hair was pulled into a messy bun like she hadn't even tried at all.

And still, she stirred something within me. A strange restless flutter settled in my chest, spreading warmth and leaving a tingling sensation. If only she knew she had this effect on me.

I peeled my eyes off her when I noticed Miss Gina watching me closely. Her expression was sharp, questioning. She had been my father's secretary for longer than I could remember, and her sharp wits were what had kept her in position.

"Mr Sterling," she began slowly, "have you met Miss Cole before? I haven't mentioned her name yet, but you addressed her." Her voice was laced with suspicion.

I glanced back at Aria. Her face had gone pale; a smirk tugged at my lips.

I won't rat her out, at least not yet.

"We attended the same high school," I said casually, hoping it would satisfy Miss Gina's curiosity.

I caught the way Aria's shoulders relaxed, just slightly, as she let out a quiet breath of relief.

"Very well," though her eyes lingered on me for a second longer, "I'll leave you to it"

She turned and walked out.

"Miss Cole," I said, already walking to the door, "see me in my office in five minutes," and left.

My office turned out much better than I expected; it looked like a mini version of my dad's. He must have overseen the arrangement.

I stepped in and sat on one of the visitor's seats in the center, a single plush sofa with two others on either side, perfectly aligned. Behind was a broad mahogany desk with a shiny surface. Files were stacked neatly, untouched. A gold plaque bearing my name sat at the edge of the desk, gleaming under the light. A computer stood idle beside it.

In front of the desk was a chair, a perfect position that offered a full view of the city. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the city like a painting—beautiful, distant, untouchable.

The soft sound of knocking pulled me out of my thoughts.

"Come in."

I placed my left leg over my right, settling into a position that commands respect.

Aria stepped in. She looked different, more composed than before. She had probably calmed herself down and mustered whatever courage she could find before walking through that door.

"Sit"

She obeyed immediately, facing her clasped hand on her thighs. Her back was stiff like she expected a hearing from me.

For a brief second, I had an urge to reach out and hold her fragile hands in mine, assuring her she didn't have to be afraid of me, but not yet; she had to pay the consequences of leaving without a word.

The thoughts vanished just as quickly as they came.

My eyes drifted around the office, trying to see what task I could give to her, until it landed on a shelf stacked with files, thick, untouched; probably left there by my father.

"I want you to read those files and prepare detailed notes," I said, pointing towards the shelf, after confirming her gaze followed my hand direction.

"Something clear enough for me to understand," I paused

"By tomorrow noon"

Her eyes snapped away from the shelf back to mine. Her eyes widened slightly, throwing invisible daggers.

A sense of accomplishment settled with me, without giving room for more audience.

"You can start now"

I knew she couldn't finish it in a day, it would take days for a team to get through all of that. But I didn't care; I won't allow her to get it easy.

She dragged her feet towards the shelf, her shoulders slightly slumped. When she reached it, she stretched to grab the top file, but it was out of reach.

She tried again. She tiptoed, her left hand grasping the shelf edge for support. Her fingers successfully picked the top file. The moment she pulled it out, everything came crashing down.

Files spilled over her, hitting the floor with a loud, echoing thud.

The sound carried beyond the office.

Heads from the workspace bay turned to the direction of the sound.

Aria froze, her face flushed with embarrassment.

The door burst open.

Miss Gina.

Her eyes scanned the mess, then settled on Aria.

"Miss Cole," she said sharply, her voice not showing restraint of her anger. "The chairman has just resumed, and you are already creating a scene?"

Aria said nothing

"After completing your training, I'm disappointed.

Her voice cut deep. Aria flinched.

Aria stood there without speaking a word, her gaze fixed on the floor. One hand clutched the other tightly, like she was trying to hold herself together.

She looked small. Fragile. Like a drenched puppy caught in the rain.

A wave of feeling brushed through my chest. It was guilt.

Just as I was about to speak..

"Let me help"

A tall figure stepped in without waiting for permission.

He bent down immediately, gathering the scattered files with ease. His back faced me, but there was something familiar about him.

"It's her first task, Miss Gina", flashing what I assumed was a smile at her, "People make mistakes".

His voice sounded familiar as well

He handed the files back to Aria.

"You can go now, Aria; it's fine."

Aria?

My jaw tightened. Who was he to say her name like that?

Aria turned to leave.

"I didn't ask you to leave, Miss Cole" My voice came out sharper than I intended.

She stopped walking; clutching the files tightly to her chest. From behind, I could see the slight tremor in her shoulders. She was scared.

I walked towards them slowly. My gaze shifted to the man "And who might you be?"

He straightened.

Then he turned.

And the moment I saw his face, everything snapped into place. The scar along his jaw. The familiar tilt of his lips, and his hair, slicked back just like mine.

My fists clenched instantly. How could I have forgotten him?

A slow, mocking smile spread across his face.

"Welcome, Noah," he said

My blood ran cold.

"Long time no see"

And just like that, my past seeped through and stood right in front of me, smiling like it had been waiting for this opportunity