Familiar Eyes

My heels click against the marble floor as I walk out of the executive wing, my heart still beating like a drum. Every sound in the hallway seems louder: the soft ring of phones, the quiet chatter of workers, and even my own unsteady breathing.

I can’t believe I just sat across from Ethan Blake again.

Five years. Five long years of running, of pretending I’d moved on, of telling myself I’d never see him again, and then, just like that, he’s in front of me.

And now… I work for him.

I press a hand against my chest, trying to calm the storm inside me. He can’t know, I tell myself again and again. He can’t know about Noah.

The thought of my son’s little face flashes in my mind; his bright gray eyes, the same ones that once looked at me from Ethan’s face.

Those eyes are the one thing I can’t explain if Ethan ever finds out.

I step into the elevator, the doors closing slowly. The moment I’m alone, I finally let out a shaky breath.

“Get it together, Maya,” I whisper. “You got the job. That’s what matters.”

The elevator hums quietly as it descends. For a second, I close my eyes and lean back.

But all I can see is Ethan’s face, colder, sharper, and more controlled than the man I used to know. His voice still carries the same power. His eyes still burn right through me, just like before.

And that last thing he said…

> “Next time you lie to me, make sure I don’t already know the truth.”

Did he mean it? Or was it just Ethan being the arrogant CEO everyone says he is now?

When the elevator reaches the ground floor, I walk out, pretending to be calm. People rush past me in neat suits, confident and busy. I feel like an outsider in a world that’s moved on without me.

But I can’t give up. I need this job.

For Noah.

Later that night…

The apartment smells faintly of soap and baby lotion. I drop my purse on the couch, kick off my shoes, and walk straight to the small bedroom where Noah is asleep.

He’s curled up under his blue blanket, his little hands resting on his favorite stuffed bear. My heart melts instantly.

I kneel beside him, brushing a curl from his forehead.

“Mommy got a new job today,” I whisper. “We’ll be okay now. I promise.”

He stirs but doesn’t wake up. His lips part slightly, and I see the hint of a smile.

For a moment, I just watch him, the boy who gave my life meaning when everything else fell apart.

But when I look closer, my chest tightens. Those eyes. Those gray eyes.

No matter how many times I see them, they remind me of Ethan.

I sigh, standing up quietly. I walk to the kitchen, make tea, and stare out the window at the city lights.

Working for Ethan Blake is a bad idea.

A very bad idea.

But right now, I don’t have a choice. Rent is due. School fees are waiting. I’ll just keep my head down, do my job, and stay invisible.

Easy enough, right?

The Next Morning

I wake up early, dress carefully, and drop Noah off at school before heading to the office. The nerves are still there, sitting heavy in my stomach.

The receptionist greets me with a bright smile. “Good morning, Ms. Carter! Mr. Blake said you’d be starting today.”

“Morning,” I reply, trying to sound casual.

I’m shown to the marketing department, a bright, open space with glass partitions and a perfect view of the skyline. People glance up when I walk in, some smiling politely, others whispering.

A tall woman in a red blazer approaches me. “You must be the new manager. I’m Elise, your assistant.”

I smile gratefully. “Nice to meet you, Elise.”

She hands me a tablet and a stack of folders. “Mr. Blake asked for a presentation by Friday. He wants you to lead the campaign review.”

“Friday?” I blink. “That’s just three days from now.”

Elise gives a nervous laugh. “Yeah, that’s how he is. Mr. Blake likes results fast.”

I can’t help but smirk. “That hasn’t changed.”

She tilts her head. “You know him?”

My smile freezes. “Just… by reputation.”

By lunchtime, I’m buried in reports and schedules. I’m so focused that I don’t notice the quiet around me until Elise leans close and whispers, “He’s here.”

I glance up just as Ethan walks in.

Everyone stands a little straighter. Conversations stop mid-sentence. His presence changes the whole energy of the roomlike gravity suddenly got stronger.

He’s in another sharp suit today, his expression unreadable as he listens to one of the team leaders. Then his gaze moves across the roomslow, scanning, commanding.

And then he sees me.

Our eyes lock.

For a second, the noise around us fades.

He doesn’t look surprised this time. Just… watchful. As if he’s been expecting me.

He walks straight over.

“Ms. Carter,” he says smoothly, stopping right in front of my desk. “How’s your first day?”

I swallow hard. “Busy, sir.”

He nods, his eyes never leaving mine. “Good. I like busy.”

He looks around the room, then back at me. “You’ll be leading the new campaign, I hear?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Make sure it’s perfect.”

“Yes, Mr. Blake.”

He pauses, a faint smirk touching his lips. “Still so polite.”

I feel my cheeks warm. “It’s called professionalism.”

“Hmm.” His gaze lingers a second longer than it should. “Let’s hope it lasts.”

Then he turns and walks away, leaving a trail of curious whispers behind him.

Elise stares at me wide-eyed. “Wow. He never comes down here in person. You must’ve really impressed him.”

I force a smile. “Yeah. Something like that.”

But inside, my stomach twists. I know Ethan. He’s not checking in he’s watching me.

Later that evening…

The office is almost empty when I finally pack up to leave. My head is pounding from hours of work and pretending not to feel Ethan’s eyes on me every time I moved.

As I step into the elevator, I press the button for the ground floor and lean back, exhausted.

But before the doors close, a hand slips between them.

Ethan steps in.

Of course.

“Working late already?” he asks casually, pressing the same button.

“I wanted to make a good start.”

He studies me silently for a moment. “You’ve always been like that. Always trying to prove yourself.”

I glance away. “That’s what working people do.”

“Working people,” he repeats softly, like the words amuse him. “Tell me, Maya… are you happy?”

The question catches me off guard. “Why do you care?”

“Because you used to be,” he says quietly. “At least, before you ran.”

My throat tightens. “You don’t know anything about why I left.”

His eyes narrow. “Then tell me.”

I grip my purse tighter. “There’s nothing to tell.”

The elevator stops. The doors open, but neither of us moves.

He takes a slow step toward me. “You’re hiding something. You always have that look when you’re lying.”

My breath catches. “Maybe you’ve just forgotten how to read me.”

“Trust me,” he says softly, leaning closer, “I never forgot anything about you.”

For a heartbeat, we’re inches apart the air thick between us. My pulse races, and I hate that part of me still reacts to him the same way.

Then his phone buzzes, breaking the spell. He straightens, unreadable again.

“Good night, Ms. Carter.”

He walks out, leaving me frozen in the elevator.

When the doors close, I finally breathe out and whisper to myself

“He remembers everything… but not the one thing that could destroy us both