CHAPTER 6: THE MEETING

The soft hum of the engine filled the silence inside Adrian's luxury sedan as it pulled away from Blackwood Group Headquarters.

Beside him sat Ethan, while the company's Chief Financial Officer and Head of Legal occupied the seats opposite them.

No one spoke.

Each was mentally preparing for what could become the most important business meeting of the year.

Ethan handed a leather folder to Adrian.

"The revised proposal is inside, sir."

Adrian nodded absentmindedly.

"Good."

"We've also included the updated financial projections and the architectural plans."

"Excellent." His answer came automatically.

His thoughts, however, were elsewhere.

They had remained there ever since the launch event.

Seraphina Vale.

The driver slowed as the car came to a stop.

"We're here, sir."

Adrian stepped out, buttoning his suit jacket before leading his team toward the reception.

Meanwhile, inside the executive office, Vivienne placed a folder on Seraphina's desk.

"They've arrived."

Seraphina finished signing the last document before closing the file.

"What conference room?"

"Boardroom One."

"Good."

Vivienne studied her friend's composed expression.

"Nervous?" She asked.

"Twelve years ago..." She rose gracefully from her chair. "I would've been. But Sarah no longer walks into rooms afraid."

Vivienne couldn't help but smile.

"And Seraphina?"

Seraphina picked up the partnership proposal.

"She owns the room."

The two women exchanged a knowing glance before heading toward the boardroom.

Inside the conference room, Adrian and his team rose as the doors opened.

Seraphina entered first.

Dressed in a perfectly tailored black pantsuit with gold buttons, she carried herself with effortless confidence.

Vivienne followed closely behind with several documents in hand.

Adrian's gaze instinctively found Seraphina's

For a brief moment everything around him faded.

Again, that strange feeling. It struck him without warning.

He quickly composed himself and extended a polite smile.

"Good morning, everyone." Seraphina's calm voice filled the room.

"Good morning Mrs Vale," they said.

Her gaze met his.

"We meet again Mr Blackwood. Thank you for accepting our invitation."

"Thank you for meeting with us, Ms. Vale."

"The pleasure is ours."

They took their seats.

Vivienne began by introducing Aurelia Capital's executive team before inviting Adrian to present Blackwood Group's proposal.

He stood. A remote clicked softly in his hand as architectural renderings appeared on the large screen.

"Our vision is to redefine luxury living in Manhattan."

He spoke with confidence, explaining the project's design and investment opportunities.

Every question Seraphina asked was thoughtful.

Every concern she raised demonstrated an impressive understanding of finance, construction, and market trends.

More than once, Adrian found himself impressed.

She wasn't simply wealthy. She had earned every bit of her success.

After nearly an hour of discussion, the presentation came to an end.

"I believe we've covered everything for today." Vivienne said.

Seraphina nodded.

"We appreciate Blackwood Group's proposal."

She glanced briefly at Adrian before standing up.

"Our legal department will review the remaining details before we proceed."

"We look forward to hearing from you." Adrian stood.

"As do we."

"There's something else I want to say," he said.

Seraphina sat back.

"Of course."

"But in private," Adrian spoke immediately.

Everyone exchanged glances.

"If you say so," Seraphina gave a slight smile.

The meeting officially concluded.

Executives exchanged business cards and handshakes before gradually leaving the room.

Within minutes, Only Adrian and Seraphina remained.

" What is it you wanted to discuss Mr Blackwood?" She asked him.

"It's actually a question Mrs Vale." He hesitated.

For the first time in years, Adrian Blackwood found himself unsure of his own words.

"Have we met before?"

Silence settled between them.

Seraphina looked at him for several long seconds. Then a small smile curved her lips.

"That's an unusual question to ask during a business meeting."

"I know, pardon me. But you seem...familiar."

She lowered her gaze briefly before looking back at him.

"Mr. Blackwood, if we had met before I'm certain you would remember."

Her words were calm and professional.

"You're right." He frowned a little.

"Is that your only question?"

"Yes." He replied simply.

Seraphina chuckled, standing up.

"Sometimes memories play tricks on us. Or perhaps, you're simply trying too hard to solve a mystery that doesn't exist."

She stretched out her hand.

"It was a pleasure meeting with you, Mr. Blackwood."

He hesitated a bit before shaking the hand.

"I'm looking forward to our partnership." He said.

*****

A few minutes later, Seraphina had returned to her office.

She stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, watching as Adrian and his team drove out of the compound.

Vivienne stepped inside, carrying a tablet beneath one arm.

"I just saw the Blackwood team leave."

She closed the door behind her before studying Seraphina's face.

"So, what exactly did Adrian Blackwood want to talk about?"

Seraphina didn't turn around.

"It wasn't important."

Vivienne raised an eyebrow.

"Really? You stayed behind to speak with him in private. I'm curious."

Seraphina finally faced her.

"It was nothing more than a brief conversation about the company."

"Only the company?" Vivienne folded her arms.

A small smile tugged at Seraphina's lips.

"What else would we possibly have to discuss?"

Vivienne held her gaze for another moment.

She knew Seraphina well enough to recognize when she was avoiding a question.

But she also knew better than to press further.

After a brief silence, she sighed, "well, I suppose this means we're finally doing this."

Seraphina slowly walked back to her desk.

Her fingers rested lightly on the Blackwood proposal.

Her expression remained calm.

"From now, they'll discover that every decision they made twelve years ago has finally come to collect its debt."

Vivienne felt a chill run down her spine.

She had witnessed Seraphina's journey from the beginning.

She knew this wasn't anger speaking. It was conviction.

Conviction that it must surely happen.