The Appointment

‎Eight years later.

‎

‎The click of my heels echoed through the marble lobby like a steady drumbeat announcing my arrival. The air was cool and crisp, infused with the faint scent of freshly polished floors and expensive perfume. My dress—black, fitted, and sharp—hugged me in all the right places, and the soft rustle of fabric with each step made me feel powerful. Confident. Untouchable.

‎

‎Normally, mornings in the office began with polite greetings, the occasional fake smile, and the soothing hum of computers booting up. But today? The atmosphere was different. The entire floor buzzed like a beehive that had just been shaken. People clustered in corners, whispering in urgent tones. Heads popped out of cubicles like curious meerkats.

‎

‎I scanned the office and spotted Chloe leaning against her desk, her phone clutched to her chest, eyes alight with gossip. Perfect.

‎

‎“What’s going on?” I asked, setting my bag down and lowering my voice.

‎

‎She practically vibrated with excitement. “You heard about Mr. Roberts’ death, right?”

‎

‎I nodded. “Yeah, it was all over the news.”

‎

‎“Well,” she whispered dramatically, glancing around as if the walls had ears, “someone has to take over as CEO. And everyone’s on edge, waiting to find out who.”

‎

‎I raised a brow. “And?”

‎

‎Chloe leaned closer, eyes wide with the thrill of impending chaos. “We’re all praying it’s not who we think it is… his first son.”

‎

‎I tilted my head. “Why? What’s wrong with him?” Sliding into my chair, I booted up my computer, trying to keep my curiosity casual.

‎

‎“Wait—you mean you’ve never heard of him?”

‎

‎“Should I have?”

‎

‎She stared at me as if I’d just confessed to living under a rock. “Melissa. He’s infamous. Cold. Ruthless. Doesn’t care about anyone but himself. He’s like… a corporate Grim Reaper. People either quit or break down after working under him.”

‎

‎I shrugged. “Never heard of him.”

‎

‎Her eyes suddenly lit up. “Oh. My. God. Here he comes.”

‎

‎The energy in the room shifted like a gust of wind. Conversations faltered mid-sentence. Every head turned toward the glass doors as a man strode in, flanked by two board members.

‎

‎He was wearing a perfectly tailored black suit that looked like it had been made for him and him alone. His dark hair was cut clean, his jawline sharp enough to slice through steel. There was something in his walk—controlled, deliberate, commanding. He didn’t just enter a room; he took it.

‎

‎Chloe fanned herself dramatically. “Also… he’s stupidly hot.”

‎

‎I turned my head—and my stomach twisted. His face. It was familiar. Too familiar.

‎

‎“Why does he look so—”

‎

‎“That’s Jayden Roberts,” Chloe interrupted, watching my reaction like a hawk. “The late CEO’s son.”

‎

‎I froze. “What did you just call him?”

‎

‎“Jayden. You must know him. I heard you went to the same high school.”

‎

‎No. It couldn’t be.

‎

‎My pulse quickened. It mustn’t be the same Jayden who shattered me five years ago—the one who openly rejected me during our high school graduation.

‎

‎“Alright, can I have your attention, please?” One of the board members’ voices rose above the murmurs. “This is Jayden Roberts, the first son of the late CEO. As of today, he’ll be taking over his father’s role.”

‎

‎Polite applause rippled through the room, but it sounded distant to me, like I was underwater. Jayden’s gaze swept over the crowd with quiet authority… and then locked onto mine. Recognition flickered in his eyes—a tiny spark, but enough to make my stomach drop.

‎

‎Please don’t let him remember me, I begged silently, clapping like my job depended on it.

‎

‎Jayden stepped forward, his voice deep and smooth as he addressed the staff. “It’s an honor to continue my father’s legacy. I look forward to working with all of you to make this company even greater.”

‎

‎The applause swelled again, but I barely heard it. His gaze found me again, this time deliberate. My fingers clenched around my pen.

‎

‎And then—he started walking toward my desk.

‎

‎“Oh my gosh,” Chloe exclaimed. “The Jayden Roberts is walking straight to you.”

‎

‎My heartbeat thundered in my ears, loud enough I was sure people could hear it.

‎

‎He stopped in front of me, close enough for his cologne to reach me—clean, expensive, disarming. The scent hit me like a memory. He reached out, casually brushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear, and asked, “What’s your name?”

‎

‎For a moment, I just stared. What? He recognized me earlier. Why ask now? Was this some kind of game?

‎

‎“My name is Melissa Sanders… sir.”

‎

‎His gaze flickered, a split second too long, before he turned to address the room. “Ms. Sanders will be my secretary.”

‎

‎“What?” The word slipped out before I could stop it.

‎

‎He tilted his head slightly, his voice turning cold and precise. “Do you have a hearing problem?”

‎

‎“N–no, sir. I just wanted to be sure I heard right.”

‎

‎“Good.” His tone was final. “Your desk is being moved to the entrance of my office. Permanently. You don’t leave my sight unless I say so. Understood?”

‎

‎His words were smooth, but underneath was steel.

‎

‎“Yes, sir,” I managed, my stomach flipping into a knot.

‎

‎

‎---

‎

‎The day dragged like wet cement. My desk had already been relocated, and every time his door opened, my heart jumped. His presence was… unsettling. He barely spoke to anyone, but when he did, people listened.

‎

‎By 5:30, my head was pounding, and all I wanted was my bed. I grabbed my bag and headed for the elevators, silently praying to avoid him.

‎

‎“Ms. Sanders.”

‎

‎I froze. That voice.

‎

‎Turning slowly, I saw Jayden standing in his office doorway, hands tucked casually into his pockets. His gaze was unreadable, but it pinned me to the spot like a butterfly on glass.

‎

‎My heart stuttered. “Yes… Mr. Roberts?”

‎