Chapter 2

Charles slightly curved his lips. “I just stopped in front of you, then you instantly hopped in my car. What were you thinking?”

“I’m so s-sorry I booked a grab car just now and I thought it was you.” She was very ashamed at the moment. After she apologized, she opened the door to get down.

“Running away again?” He raised a brow.

Sam blushed after she heard those words.

“Where are you going? Let me take you there since you’re already in my car.”

She looked at her phone. “Hmmm...the grab car I booked will be here in few minutes.” She told him as an excuse.

“Why I feel that you are avoiding me?” He stared at her deeply.

“I just don’t want to trouble you.” She answered with another excuse.

Charles knitted his eyebrows. “You don’t want to trouble me or you don’t want to-“

“Okay, if you insist.” Sam interrupted him. Then, she moved fast to the passenger's seat. “I’m going to the mall. Just drop me to the nearest road.” She was very anxious but she did not want to show him.

“You’re very lucky. It happened that I am also going to the mall.” He answered while he started the car.

Sam did not comment anymore. She wished to disappear like a bubble at that moment. Charles did not speak anymore as well.

Finally, they arrived at Z-Mall, the largest mall in the city.

“Thank you for your trouble.” She excused herself and bid goodbye.

Not long after she walked into the entrance of the mall, she heard a woman greeted Charles but she did not dare to look back.

She was in deep thought while looking around the department store. She was already two hours there but she couldn’t still choose. Her thoughts were filled with her memories with Charles.

Five years ago, they first met at the bus station. She was a graduating student back then. She has a lack of sleep due to her thesis that she finished the night before. She rode a bus to go home. Unconsciously, she fell asleep. She did not notice that she went past the bus stop that was just walking distance to their house. When she woke up she was already at the bus station.

“Sigh, I don’t have any money left for the taxi fare.” She spoke to herself and decided to just walk even it was late at night already.

Sam is a beautiful young woman with almond shape innocent eyes, a sharp nose, straight long hair, white smooth skin, and a slim body. In short, she is attractive that no man can resist her charm.

On the other hand, Charles had just finished his work and got out of the office in the bus station when he noticed and heard Sam. He knew that it’s not safe for a woman to walk by herself on the road at that time.

“Excuse me, Miss? Where are you going?” That was the first question he asked her back then and the same question he asked when they meet again after three years.

Back in time, she finally saw a dress that she liked. She went to the fitting room to try it.

It perfectly fits her curves, so she decided to buy it. After she paid for the dress, she felt hungry.  It’s 1 pm already so she went to the restaurant to have her lunch. After she ordered few dishes, she called her best friend Cindy.

“Hello, Cindy. Guess who I bumped earlier?”

“Who?” Cindy asked, she's interested to know.

“It’s Charles. I saw him yesterday after I got into an accident but it was just fast that he did not even look at me. Then, after I went to the repair shop earlier, I accidentally got in his car. I mistakenly thought that he’s the grab car I booked.”

“What? Really? What a coincidence huh? So he’s back? What did he say to you?” Cindy was shocked and excited at the same time. She knows that Sam was still in love with Charles.

“Nothing.” She answered with sadness in her eyes. “I think he has already a girlfriend.” Her heart ached when she said that.

“Can you blame him if he has a new girlfriend? Let me remind you, you’re the one who left him.” Sam knew it but she did not regret her decision. She just thought that they are not meant to be.

“I know, I know. You don’t need to remind me of that. I’m going to eat. I’ll hang up now.” She said goodbye as the waiter was putting her orders on the table.

Three days later.

It’s now the most awaited Year End Party of their company. Sam was now holding the position of Finance Manager.

She strived so hard in order to become a young successful professional. Thus, after three years, through her hard work and excellent performance she became the Finance Manager of MY Corporation - the leading company in the retail industry.

Sam heard from her boss that a new CEO would be introduced that evening but she did not mind as she thought that it’s possibly one of the directors of the company that was promoted.

The party began. She was sitting in the corner with Cindy when Henry came.

“Hi, beautiful ladies.” Henry is the Marketing Manager of the company and long-time suitor of Sam. Although Sam rejected him many times, he continued to pursue her.

“Hi, Henry.” Cindy greeted back.

“Why are you just sitting here? Do you want a drink?” He signaled the waiter to bring some wine. They accepted it and had a little chat.

On the other hand, Charles was looking in Sam’s direction with a dark expression. And then the host started the event.

There were award ceremonies for loyalty and best employees of the year, speakers to share some life lessons, and a talent contest. And the last part was the introduction of the new CEO and closing remarks as well.

“So everyone, are you ready yet? The final moment has come. Let me do the honor to introduce our new CEO. He is one of the youngest CEO today and the most handsome I think?” The host added funnily. “He just returned from the US after he successfully managed their family business there.”

It caught Sam’s attention. When she heard that the new CEO was from the US and just returned, she anxiously looked at the stage. She wished that her guess was wrong.

As the host continues, Sam became more nervous.

“And so I will not let you wait any longer, here we go, our new CEO is none other than Mr. Charles Davidson.” Everyone clapped their hands except Sam. She was stunned. Her guess was right. Cindy looked at her in surprise.