The billionaire first love

Leaving My Heart Behind

Ecca's POV

I adjusted my blazer again and looked at the big clock in the lobby. The room was busy with important business people talking, fancy lights hanging from the ceiling, and glasses making soft noises now and then.

 Tonight marked the 20th anniversary of Atlas Corporation, a day I had hoped to celebrate as Markos' wife, not just his secretary.

 Five years ago, I was Ecca Beaumont, the heiress to the Beaumont fortune, married to a man I thought loved me more than anything. 

Life, however, had other plans. Now, I am Ecca Rivers, just managing as the secretary to my ex-husband. 

Markos was standing on the podium, his tall presence drawing everyone's eyes. His perfect tuxedo hung on his broad shoulders, showing his biceps and making him look devastatingly handsome. Markos smiled as he held the mic for a short speech.

 "Tonight, we are here to celebrate all the hard work, determination, and future of Atlas Corporation." The room was filled with loud applause. He lifted his glass, looking around at everyone.

Suddenly, he looked directly at me, and I felt my breath catch in my throat. 

A slight smirk formed on his lips. I glanced away fast, holding onto my notepad. My task for the night was to make sure everything went well, to fade into the background. In his world, I had turned into something insignificant.

 "And," Markos added, "tonight is extra special because it's my wife's birthday." 

The atmosphere in the room suddenly changed. I felt my heart stop when a lady wearing a sparkling gold dress walked onto the stage. She was stunning - tall, graceful, and full of confidence. I felt my chest tighten as I saw her, she was type of woman who was meant to be with Markos not me.

Markos smiled at her, a smile that I used to think was only for me. 

He wrapped his arms around her waist and planted a hot kiss on her lips and the hall shook with applause.

 "Thank you, everyone," the woman said, sounding as elegant as she looked. She had her arms around him like he was hers from the beginning. My heart broke into pieces and I tried to look away.

 He was staring at me, his lips forming a smirk.

 I felt so embarrassed. I quickly spun around and ran out of the hall, dodging through the people until I reached the restroom.

Once inside, I rested against the sink, trying to catch my breath.

 The room was quiet, with only the soft sound of the party going on outside. I held onto the counter, looking at myself in the mirror. My makeup looked fine, but my eyes showed the turmoil I was feeling. 

How did things end up like this? How did I change from being his spouse, his wife, to this? 

"Get yourself together, Ecca," I said quietly, but my voice broke.

Tears flowed down my cheeks and my chest heaved as I tried to push the sob back. Five years ago, I thought I had made the best decision.

 I left behind money, a cozy home, and what I thought was love. 

When my family lost all our money, I had to put aside my ego and take on this job. I thought working for Markos would only be for a little while, but I ended up staying longer. 

As I heard the bathroom door squeak open, I hurriedly dried my face. One of the event coordinators popped her head in and said, "Ms. Rivers, Mr. Markos wants to see you."

 The name still hurt. I nodded firmly. "I'll come right away." After she went away, I breathed deeply, trying to calm down. 

When I went back to the hallway, the sounds of laughter and music seemed to be making fun of me. I saw Markos by the bar, with his arm around his wife. 

He saw me and signaled for me to come closer. "Hey, Ecca," he said in a friendly tone that didn't seem genuine. "Did you like the speech?"

 I put on a polite smile and said, "That was really motivating, sir." He nodded, looking at me closely with a sharp and understanding expression. I want the reports on my desk early tomorrow morning."

"Sure thing," I replied confidently, even though I felt nervous inside.

 His wife looked at me with a warm but somewhat distant expression. "You must be Ecca. Markos compliments you a lot." Liar. But I silently nodded in response. 

"I'm happy to meet you." I said, then I turned back to Markos, and I took an excuse to leave.

The rest of the night went by quickly. I avoided talking to them by looking down. When the event was over, I felt tired. I hurriedly left to avoid bumping into Markos again. I walked to my car a few blocks away and enjoyed the quiet walk.

 When I got to my car, I sensed someone behind me. I turned around and saw Markos standing there. 

"Ecca," he said in a gentler tone, almost teasing. 

"Why are you here?" I asked, my voice sharper than I meant it to be. 

He moved closer, his hands tucked in his pockets.

 "You looked upset before." 

I chuckled sadly. "Why should I be upset? It was so nice to see you showing off your wife to everyone at the event." 

He smirked again, looking annoyingly pleased with himself. "You've never been good at lying," he said. 

"And you've always been mean," I replied. His face briefly showed a different expression, but it disappeared just as fast. 

He moved closer and spoke quietly,

 "Be careful, Ecca. I still pay your salary," he said angrily. "And you're still the same rude person I left behind." 

He stood up straight, looking calm again. "I'll see you at the office, Ms. Rivers." 

Without another one, he walked away, and then he disappeared into the dark night. 

I wanted to scream, to run back at him and give him a piece of my mind but instead I stood there, hot tears pouring down my face.

He still didn't know and everytime I tried to tell him something else came up.

I wished I could tell him that what happened five years ago was a mistake.