Chapter 8: Somethings Not Right

I arrive home at 10:00 AM.

Instead of going inside immediately, I sit in the car, gripping the steering wheel while I try to recover from the humiliation festival that was my morning.

I glance down at myself and let out a small laugh.

I drove all the way home naked.

Let’s just hope I don’t make the news. If my father ever saw that headline, he’d probably buy the entire media company just to erase it.

For some reason, the thought of my father makes my chest ache.

Without really thinking about it, I grab my phone and call him.

He answers almost instantly.

“Hi Lottie. Carter and I were just talking about you,” my father says warmly.

“Hi Dad… I was just thinking about you too,” I reply quietly.

There’s a brief pause on the line.

“Everything alright there?” he asks carefully. “Is Vance behaving himself?”

“Oh yes, yes. Everything’s fine,” I say quickly. “I just miss you. Thought I’d check in.”

“Oh you miserable sod,” Carter’s voice suddenly cuts in from somewhere nearby. “We’re only thirty minutes away. About the same distance as that obnoxious gym you insist on going to.”

I fall silent, remembering exactly what happened at that gym not even an hour ago.

My forehead lightly taps the steering wheel.

“Haha. Very funny,” I mutter. “Also, it’s an hour drive, Carter.”

“Not when I’m behind the wheel,” he replies smugly.

I roll my eyes.

“Geez, I can practically feel your eye roll from here, Charlotte,” he teases.

I open my mouth to respond, but my father interrupts.

“Lottie, darling, we need to prepare for the board meeting. We’re discussing your husband’s promotion today.”

“Oh… right,” I say. “Well I’ll let you both go. Love you.”

“We love you too,” they reply in unison before the call ends.

The silence inside the car suddenly feels heavier.

I shake it off and finally step out, heading inside the building.

The private elevator is nearly closed when I slip inside.

Then I realize I’m not alone.

Only now does it fully register that I’m still wrapped in nothing but a towel.

Wonderful.

I keep my head down, hoping whoever is beside me doesn’t notice.

The elevator used to serve only my penthouse, but the developers recently connected it to the suite below mine.

Apparently our new neighbor lives there.

I’ve heard he’s cold. Sharp. Unpleasant.

A throat clears beside me.

“Did you really have to follow me all the way to my home?”

My stomach drops.

That voice.

“Oh? Suddenly nothing to say after flipping me off in SoHo?” he adds.

Slowly, I look up.

The same man from the gym stands beside me, arms folded, amusement dancing in his amber eyes.

For the first time in my life, I think I might genuinely hate someone I barely know.

My face flushes red as I glare at him.

“Now is not the time,” I snap. “And trust me, I can do far worse to the likes of you.”

He smirks.

“Don’t threaten me with a good time.”

“You pig,” I snap, holding up my hand. “I’m married.”

My wedding ring glints under the elevator lights.

He lets out a low chuckle.

The elevator doors slide open.

He steps out slowly.

Then, without turning around, he says,

“See you around, Pervert Tomato.”

“Pig!” I yell just as the doors close.

I storm out when the elevator reaches my floor and unlock the penthouse door with far more force than necessary.

My heart is still racing.

I don’t know if I’m more embarrassed…

or more angry.

After quickly changing into sweats and a loose shirt, I head toward my study.

But before I can reach the door, I hear movement inside.

My muscles tense.

Slowly, I push the door open, ready to swing if necessary.

Honestly, after the day I’ve had, I’m almost hoping it’s a burglar.

Instead, a strong chemical smell hits me.

Paint.

Primer.

“Happy anniversary, babe!” Vance calls cheerfully.

I blink.

My study is completely transformed.

All my furniture has been dragged into the center of the room and covered with a thick white tarp.

Vance and Anya stand near the walls wearing ridiculous masks and protective suits while rolling fresh paint across the walls.

“You always hated that wallpaper,” Vance says proudly. “Said it ruined the whole room.”

I laugh.

“You both look ridiculous.”

“Safety precautions,” he replies. “Anya’s pregnant. We can’t have her inhaling toxins.”

“I agree with Charlotte,” Anya sighs. “We look ridiculous.”

“Anya, get out of here,” I say firmly. “Go rest before you faint.”

She reluctantly agrees.

I help her remove the protective suit in the guest room.

“Oh wow,” she sighs in relief. “I can finally breathe.”

“I don’t even know how you got into that thing,” I say, shaking my head.

She laughs.

Then suddenly asks,

“Wait… why are you home so early? Didn’t you have that meeting with your rival today? The one about a potential partnership with Morvant Corporation?”

I freeze.

Didn’t that meeting already happen?

I remember it clearly.

The chairman couldn’t attend.

The temporary CEO showed up instead.

Gerard.

Drunk.

Smoking a cigar in the middle of the meeting.

Completely unprofessional.

I cancelled the partnership immediately.

I remember it vividly.

But…

that already happened today.

Didn’t it?

“Uh… earth to Charlotte,” Anya says, snapping her fingers.

I blink.

“Sorry. I’ve had a strange morning. What time is the meeting?”

“10:45,” she replies. “Which is in about twenty minutes.”

My stomach drops.

I grab my phone and rush out the door.

I arrive at 10:42 AM.

Traffic into Manhattan is surprisingly light.

After confirming my identity at reception, I’m escorted upstairs to the twelfth floor.

The receptionist opens the boardroom door.

“Gerard will be with you shortly.”

A chill runs down my spine.

The room.

The skyline view.

The balcony.

Every detail looks exactly how I remember it.

Then the door opens.

Gerard walks in.

Reeking of bourbon.

Lighting a cigar.

My stomach twists.

Every word he says…

Every gesture…

Everything unfolds exactly the way I remembered.

Except this time—

I don’t say anything.

I simply stand up…

and walk out.

Because this isn’t routine.

This isn’t coincidence.

And it definitely isn’t normal déjà vu.

Something deeper is happening.

And a quiet voice inside me whispers a terrifying thought.

I’ve lived this moment before.