Bad Memories

Chapter 5

Alice 

Six years have passed since I fled the country, desperate to escape the overwhelming guilt and shame of what had happened between me and my stepson that fateful night.

And in those six years, I’ve sure as hell outgrown the frightened little girl anyone could walk over at any given time.

I had long forgiven myself for that one mistake I once thought I could never get past. That one sinful night with George had produced a little kid… a very sweet one at that. 

He was smart, always curious, and far too attractive for his own good. And every time I looked at him, I was reminded of that one mistake I had buried deep… the one I tried so hard to forget.

But above everything else, I had rebuilt my life. I had crawled my way out of my misery, building a luxury wellness and skincare empire, Aurora Luxe… which was now valued at over half a billion dollars.

Sometimes, I still couldn’t believe how far I had come, in just a short period. Now, I didn't have to live off anyone’s help and get humiliated in return. Leo and I had everything we ever wanted, with just a snap of the finger.

And now, Aurora Luxe has just signed a massive distribution and investment deal with Apex Capital, the most powerful private equity firm in the country. And that only meant I was to travel back to the same city I swore never to return to.

I didn’t know who the Apex Capital CEO was. I only knew that he was a legendary investor and business magnate with a reputation recognized by many across the continent. 

I had heard so much about him, and I was eager to finally meet the formidable man who would be overseeing this partnership with me.

I walked into the imposing Apex building, Leo’s small hand tucked in mine. We took the elevator to the 32nd floor, my heart beating louder with every floor we passed.

At the reception, we waited patiently until the receptionist looked up, offering a polite smile.

“Mr Brooks is ready for you now, ma'am. Come with me.”

My breath caught, my mind replaying her words endlessly.

Mr Brooks?

Could it really be… him?

No. Of course not. The Apex Capital was a newly launched empire, owned by a man who had kept his identity a secret from the start.

It couldn't be Thomas, neither could it be George. Maybe I was just overthinking it. Maybe it was just a coincidence that the CEO shared the same name as them.

I followed the receptionist down the long corridor, Leo trailing closely behind me. When we reached the end of the corridor, she stopped and pointed to the sturdy brown door before us.

“That's the door, Miss Alice.” She said softly. “Kindly knock before you enter. Mr Brooks doesn't appreciate people barging in.” 

She gave me a warm, understanding smile before turning back to the reception.

My heart pounded in my chest as I lifted my hand towards the door, knocking gently.

“Come in.” A sharp voice answered from within.

At first, it sounded somewhat familiar, but I pushed the thought aside, tightening my grip on the doorknob and pushing the door open. I walked in, and Leo followed quietly behind me.

The man sat behind a large desk, his eyes glued to his laptop. He seemed to be unaware of our presence, until I stopped right in front of him.

“I… I'm sorry about that, Miss…” He said, lifting his head, but then froze the moment our eyes met. 

 “Alice?”

He echoed the name like it was poison on his lips, his eyes pinning me in place.

My mind swirled with thoughts, my head throbbing at the striking resemblance he had with Leo. He looked… familiar too. But despite how hard I tried, I couldn't seem to remember where I had met him.

God, was I hallucinating?

Before I could process the thoughts, Leo ran forward and wrapped his hands tightly around him.

“Daddy!”