CHAPTER 3

"Don't you really remember what happened last night?" Aeun's tone was laced with irritation. I shrugged in response.

"You're not joking? You didn't take me home?" I pressed. She scratched her head, clearly annoyed by my repeated questioning.

"No, you just vanished. You told Duke and me you were going to the restroom, but you never came back. You're unbelievable, Eli. You left us waiting for you. Who did you leave with?"

Aeun's question forced me to think hard, but no one came to mind—no one with a kind face who would've taken me home. I didn't know anyone in that area besides Haze and her. I let out a sigh, my thoughts swirling.

After our meeting with investors, I immediately attended my own businesses. Well, I have two in particular. The first is the family business, Lee Corporation, where I now serve as the CEO. The second, and my personal venture, is an art company that curates paintings by various artists and promotes them internationally. Occasionally, I sell pieces, while others are exhibited in museums under my company. Additionally, I am a painter myself, with a collection of my own works. That venture has gained more traction—most people know me as one of Italy’s prominent painters.

Upon arriving at my office, my secretary, Mr. Fort, promptly presented the day's essentials. Finding everything in order with my company, I headed back to Lee Corp., where most of my workday is spent. As I was on my way, I noticed three missed calls from Aeun. I furrowed my brow—she doesn't usually call unless it's an emergency or something important.

I immediately answered her call while focusing on the road. "Aeun? What’s up? Is everything okay?"

"Are you still at Blu Arte’s? You need to hear about the latest news, Eli. Get back here, we’re having a meeting with the board."

"Why? What’s going on?"

"Just hurry up!" I didn't argue and, as she said, I quickened my pace, eager to return to the office. Upon arriving, I proceeded directly to the elevator. As I stepped in, a man suddenly entered, his cologne familiar, though I couldn't place where I had smelled it before.

Maybe déjà vu…

I dismissed the thought and focused on the numbered buttons on the elevator's side panel.

"How's your sleep so far?" I heard his voice, and though I didn't know why, it sounded familiar. With just the two of us in the elevator, he was clearly speaking to me. I lifted my gaze to meet his—this man was tall, towering over me even in my heels. And wow, he was stunning. He seemed almost otherworldly… an angel? A god? I felt as though he was a dream guy straight out of a novel—or perhaps I was just getting carried away?

"I'm talking to you, woman," he said, snapping me out of my reverie. I quickly averted my gaze.

"Why are you asking about my sleep? Are we close?" He didn't respond, as the elevator doors opened. I hastened out, not looking back. Good grief! He was gorgeous, and those eyes were utterly captivating. I shook my head, trying to regain my composure. No way, Felicity Rose Lee! You weren't raised to be starstruck over a pretty face!

I entered the conference room, and as I did, I immediately paused—the board members looked tense. No… They clearly had a problem.

"Let’s start," I announced, taking my seat in the swivel chair.

"We need to find a solution," Mrs. Morel, one of the board members, began. "There was a sudden drop in sales for reasons we're not aware of. We need to take action. The company's revenue dropped by 80 percent in just five hours. How did this happen? Who could have done this to us?" She continued. I quickly massaged my temples. What the hell? Eighty percent? Is this some sort of jest?

"What do we do now, Ms. Lee?" asked Mr. Salazar, another board member. "I hope you can come up with a solution now because our investors' interests are at stake," he added, sounding slightly annoyed. I was speechless. I was too shocked by the problem they presented. This is a major issue, and I don't want my grandfather to find out. I'd definitely be humiliated in front of the whole family if that happens!

"Review all the transactions that took place today, including those who handled the funds; gather their lists as well," I instructed. "Whoever is in charge of that area, I need to speak with them. Bring them to my office." Taking a deep breath, I continued, "First and foremost, I need your trust. I will conduct a meeting later at 3:00 p.m. Now—" I didn't finish my sentence when the conference room door opened. The handsome man from the elevator… Wait? What is he doing here?

"Sorry I'm late, someone left me in the elevator," he said, seemingly insinuating something. I winced at what I heard but chose not to comment.

"Please sit with us, Mr. Caje." Said one of the board members, Mrs. Jacinto. I watched as he took a seat in one of the swivel chairs, quickly averting my gaze when he suddenly glanced at me. Stay calm, Felicity! Get yourself together. He was just looking! Don’t fall for it! He began reiterating the company’s problems, and I studied his reaction—he almost seemed… amused?

He suggested something, and the board discussed various points in front of me, but I couldn't follow anymore because I was fixated on him. My gaze was riveted to him, making it impossible to focus on the meeting. He caught me staring, smirked, and turned back to the board members. I felt like a fool, suddenly self-conscious. What was I doing? I had told myself not to fall for a pretty face! I shook my head, took a deep breath, and tried to refocus on the discussion.

"Great idea, Mr. Caje. Thank you for all your suggestions. We owe you this!" One of the board members expressed gratitude with a handshake. I raised an eyebrow but stayed silent.

I waited for them to ask if I agreed with what the man had said, but no one did. They left the conference room abruptly. I furrowed my brow and turned to Aeun, who was standing beside me.

"The meeting’s over, were you zoning out?" Aeun whispered with a furrowed brow, "Did you nod even though you didn’t understand anything?" I was even more puzzled. What?! I don’t remember that I did nodding!

"Can we talk?" I looked up at the man who spoke—Mr. Caje. I swallowed, taken by the smoothness of his voice. It was different, everything about him was… unusual. I couldn’t grasp why he had this effect on me.

"I'll excuse myself," Aeun said, and a moment later, I heard the door close behind her.

"Now, tell me why did you suddenly leave last night?" I was suddenly puzzled by his question. Last night? Do I even know this person?

I was confused and couldn't come up with an answer to his question. He nodded as if I had responded. "Oh, so you don't recognize me? Really?" He sounded almost disappointed. I suddenly felt nervous, racking my brain to place who this man was, but nothing came to mind. How do I get out of this?

"If I knew you, I would’ve greeted you already." That was all I managed to say, and I let out a sigh. "Are you a fan? I don’t give autographs during work hours."

"Are you kidding me?" He raised an eyebrow, and I swallowed nervously. I really didn’t know him, after all.

"Do I look like I’m joking?" I gestured to my own face, hoping he’d realize I was freaking serious and nervous at the same time.

"You kissed me, woman." He said with annoyance. I froze, feeling stunned.

What did he say? Why don’t I remember that?

"Why would I kiss you? Even if you stripped naked in front of me, I wouldn’t touch you, okay?!"

"After you did, you're denying it? Wow, I see." His response was cold, and I felt intensely insulted by his words, and what?! He said I'm denying?!

"Why would I deny it?! We just met, and you’re talking like you know me," I crossed my arms, glaring at him in irritation. "Sorry if I can’t keep up with your theatrics! So, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do in my office." I quickly exited the conference room and practically sprinted to my office.

Did I really kiss him?! Why can't I remember?! And if it’s true, I was awful for denying it like that!

"Hep!" I suddenly exclaimed as I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My face was flushed, this wasn’t good! "Relax, Felicity! Just don’t breathe!"

"Are you crazy?" I turned around at the sudden voice. It was Aeun, and I let out a sigh of relief.

"Of course not," I massaged my temples and glanced up at the ceiling. "What do I do now?" I tried to steer the conversation elsewhere.

"Call the Chairman, ask him for help." Aeun’s indifferent response made me purse my lips in distaste.

"Are you crazy? I definitely won’t do that, Ae." I remarked with a wretched smile.

"Okay, suit yourself, find a solution." Aeun’s apathetic response came as she placed some folders on my desk. "These are your tasks for today, Eli. Get yourself together, you still look like you’re drunk."

Drunk? Wait,

"Ae, are you seriously telling me you have no idea who drove me home?" I winced as I realized my best friend had slipped out of my office, leaving me grappling with the perplexing question of how I even made it back to my doorstep…

Argh, how did that even happen?