Chapter 5

Lucas's POV.

Weeks passed, but that night refused to loosen its grip on me. It refused to stay where it belonged.

That night would always stay in the quiet moments that I had to myself. In the spaces between my meetings and in the way my body reacted before my mind could stop it. 

 I had slept with women before, plenty of them but none of them stayed like this. And none of them followed me into the daylight.

Laura did. I remembered her the way you remember a song you didn't mean to fall in love with. The way her body had fit against mine like it had always known where to go.

The way she had looked at me without fear and without hesitation, like she wanted something and didn't care what it cost.

That look messed with me more than anything else. I tried to drown it out by going out to clubs. I went to bars and loud places.

I tried to drown it down the way men like me usually do. I made sure to get close to different women. I allowed them to press their bodies against mine. I let them pull me into the dance floor, while they smiled at me like they already knew the ending. I let them kiss my neck and also whisper things into my ears so that I could be distracted.

Every time I closed my eyes, I wouldn't see them. But I would see Laura. The curve of her waist and the softness of her skin under my hands.

The way she had leaned into me like she trusted me with something fragile. I hated how easily my mind replaced other women with her. How my body reacted like it recognized only one memory.

I left those places frustrated and empty. It also scared me because of how deep it had gotten.

To be honest, New York looked different. I was unimpressed and I didn't care that I was losing a battle I hadn't expected to fight.

At home, Zara filled the space with life. Music from her room, half-filled conversations. Coffee mugs left on counters like a proof she existed.

She talked about work and about life. She talked about how busy everything had become. Laura's name came up only once.

“She hasn't been around much.” Zara said casually one evening. “She has a new job and all. So she is trying to get her life together.”

I nodded like it didn't matter to me. But it did.

“Is she okay?” I asked, keeping my tone light as Zara shrugged at me.

“Yeah… just distant. You know that's how she gets when she's overwhelmed.”

I knew there was more to it. Laura wasn't just busy, she was avoiding me. And I couldn't blame her.

But still, I found myself asking questions I had no business asking. About her routines. About if they still saw each other outside or she still came around campus, or she has moved on quietly.

Zara didn't notice the pattern but I did and that made it worse.

Work was supposed to be a distraction. It was the reason I had come back to New York in the first place. My company was supposed to ground me.

I had bought the New York branch months ago, with intention and not impulse. I wanted permanence and my daughter should be close to me.

I wanted to have a fresh start and a new chapter in my life. I threw myself into it, buried myself in schedules and meetings and expectations.

I finally resumed my role as the CEO. And on the first day I stood in my office, adjusting my cufflinks, when the door opened.

The managing director walked in with a confident smile. He had been running things in the office while I was away. He was efficient, sharp, and reliable.

“Welcome back sir,” he said, shaking my hand. “It's good to finally have you here in person.”

I noticed that behind him, there was someone standing there quietly. I didn't see who it was at first, it was just a figure partially hidden behind his shoulder.

“There’s one more thing why I came here. Your new secretary is finally here. Meet Miss Laura.” he said, stepping aside.

And the world stopped when my eyes landed on Laura. For a second, neither of us moved and her eyes widened just slightly before she caught herself.

Shock flashed across her face but before she could mask it. I saw it and I felt it.

If all the people in the world. Of all the twists. The woman I hadn't been able to get out of my head was standing in my office.

For the first time in weeks, something inside of me finally lifted into relief. Maybe the heavens were finally on my side. 

Laura stepped forward first as her professionalism snapped back into place. She looked completely different. More composed and more controlled. Her hair was pulled back neatly, her clothes were professional and sharp. 

“Good morning sir. Nice to meet you.” she said evenly, stretching forth her hand.

Sir.

The word hit harder than it should have. I took her hand and her handshake was brief, it felt extremely professional and cold. Nothing like that night.

“Nice to meet you too.” I replied, forcing myself to sound normal.

“Permit me to leave sir. I will have to prepare the conference room for the investors.” the managing director informed and just like that, he walked away closing the door behind him and silence filled my office again.

Laura turned immediately to focus on her tablet in her hands.

“I’ll organize your calendar and send you the files you need for the week. Your first meeting is at ten.” she said in a controlled voice, without looking at me.

“Laura,” I said quietly and she paused, then looked at me calmly.

“Yes, sir?” 

“You don't have to pretend you don't know me. You are my employee.”

“And that makes you my boss.” she replied sharply. Then she turned her focus back to her tablet.

The rest of the day went like that. Efficient, personal and distant. She avoided unnecessary eye contact with me.

She passed files without touching my hand. When we reached for the same documents once, our fingers brushed against each other and she pulled away immediately, like it meant nothing.

Like I meant nothing.

By the end of the day, the tension sat heavy in my chest.

“Laura.” I said, as she gathered her things. She didn't look at me. 

“If this is about work. Email me.”

“Are you really going to act like the other night didn't happen?” I questioned and she finally faced me. But her expression didn't soften.

“Nothing special happened,” she said. “It was just a freaking one-night stand.”