2 The first meeting

DYANNE

Our world is such a small world—literally, and every day coincidences happen. People meet the most unexpected people; one way or the other, they run into people they swore to never see again. Life has its way of bringing people back together in a way. And in some others' cases, they walk in by themselves.

Like me, agreeing to move back to New York to work in The Morgan's company, knowing full well who is about to own it. But what are the odds that a normal employee like me will ever come across the upcoming president?

I have been quite unlucky, I can say that for a fact, but I hope the universe will give me a break this one time.

“Nervous?“ A familiar voice asks as he catches up with my fast stride.

I turn at once to look at David, my friend and workmate who also got transferred alongside me. I throw him a small smile that's meant to seem confident, but from the look he's giving me, I guess I failed. I straighten up and try to look more convincing.

“Of course I'm not,”

He sizes me up, then nods.

“Good. You're Dyanne, you have nothing to be nervous about.”

I chuckle softly and turn away from him, my smile falling off my face as my eyes settle back on the elevator door we are waiting to ride.

If only he knew that I have enough reasons to be nervous.

What if I meet Alex again? How would I act? How would 'HE' act? It's been ten whole years and we've never talked all these while, am I supposed to pretend not to know him? Or am I supposed to ask how he has been? All these thoughts had kept me up all night and are still working my brain even now.

As soon as I hear the soft beep from the elevator, signaling it was opening soon, I brace myself and return my full attention to it.

I should focus on what I have ahead of me and not my past. And if he happens to show up—

My thoughts are abruptly cut off as the door slides open to reveal three men, but my full focus is on the young man in the center. Alexander Morgan. Damn.

He stood taller than I remember, his presence commanding without trying, like time had carved him out of something colder. His hair is slicked back in precise, parted layers, effortless yet deliberate, and those grey eyes that meet mine for a second are unreadable as winter fog. Not a flicker of recognition, no warmth, just a glance that skims me like I'm nothing more than background noise.

I feel my throat run dry, and my chest tightens as his eyes dart away from mine. For a brief moment, they land on David beside me before he looks away and steps out of the elevator.

As he brushes past, the familiar scent of rosemary and rosewood fills my nose, I inhale sharply, my hands clenched tight, guilt pressing down on me.

And then he's gone, treating me like I did to him for the past ten years. Nonexistent.

“Didi”

“Didi?!”

David's voice, once again, reminds me of my surroundings. I draw in a sharp, shaky breath as I set my eyes on him.

“You look like you've seen a ghost. Are you okay?“

I nod.

“And wasn't that just Alex Morgan?“

I don't answer; instead, I turn away from him, watching Alexander disappear through the exit.

Guilt spreads through me, but confusion even more. Has it been so long that he doesn't recognize me at all? Or did he just pretend he doesn't?

My stomach sinks at that thought. But then a thought crosses my head.

Did I even deserve to feel bad? I got what I deserved after leaving so easily.

“I made the right decision,” I whisper to myself, like I usually do whenever I think of him.

This shouldn't be any different. The fact that Alexander Morgan is just a few floors away from my office shouldn't make any difference.

Minutes Later…

“Ms. Collins?“ A female voice calls out as soon as we walk into the lobby leading to the office blocks. We wait for the woman to catch up with us. She's a tall, fierce-looking woman in her late thirties; her brunette hair is cut in a sharp bob that bounces gracefully at every step she takes. The skirt and blouse, which seem like they're made from the finest material, fit her well, and every step she takes closer exudes authority. Just like her boss.

I tuck the stray strands of hair behind my ears and keep my 'perfect' smile on.

“It's nice to finally meet you in person.“ She says, stretching out her hand to me. We haven't interacted much while I was in Toronto, but I've had two or so interactions with her, and I envy her work style. I take her hand into mine.

“It's nice to meet you too, Mrs. Adams.”

She beams and then turns to David. “Mr. Rodriguez, welcome,”

“Thank you,”

“Shall we?“ She raises a brow, gesturing forward.

“Of course,” I smile, and we begin heading to the office.

“I'm sure you've received all the necessary details prior to your moving here,” Mrs. Adams says as soon as she's done showing us around.

I nod. “Yes, I have. I've requested a meeting with the marketing department concerning it.”

A soft, satisfied smile touches her lips. “As expected of the worker of the year, three times in a row.“

I smile to myself.

It feels refreshing to have someone compliment me. I hoped I wouldn't disappoint.

“I can't wait for you to meet Mr. Morgan,”

My smile fell as my heart skipped a beat at his name. I'm sure he wouldn't be as happy to see me. Not with our little encounter earlier.

I haven't been able to take the image of him off my head since. I know I don't deserve an explanation for how he acted, but it still hurt.

A little more than I imagined.

“Well, I'll leave you to it,” Mrs. Adams adds. I force a smile back on.

“Thank you,”

She nods and walks away. As soon as she's out of our sight, I fall into the chair, letting out a deep sigh.

I glance around the office. It's an open office, so it has both strategy teams. Though the team's office is separated by a glass wall.

“Are you good?“ David suddenly asks.

I stop scanning the room as my eyes settle on him.

“Yeah, why?“

He shrugs. “I noticed when she mentioned Mr. Morgan, your face turned a bit pale,”

“Just like earlier,”

I force a smile. “It's nothing serious,”

He frowns, like he doesn't buy my excuse. David and I aren't just coworkers. We have been friends from sophomore year of college up till now, which makes it seven years, so I can say he sure knows a lot about me, which includes when I lie. He does know nothing about my relationship with Alex, though, or the real reason I left my hometown.

“Are you allergic to him or something?“

I chuckle because it's kind of a funny thing to assume.

“I'd hope I'm not, so I don't lose my job.“ I chuckle.

His lips part, but he's cut off by a female's voice.

“I'm sorry to cut you off,”

We both turn to look at where the voice comes from. A young woman who looks about our age is standing by my desk. She has her hair packed in a slick bun, and her outfit is casual yet formal.

“I was asked to pass this on to the new team one director.”

I smile and take the document from her. “Thank you,”

“I'm Fiona, a member of your team.” She stretches out her hand, and I take it.

“Dyanne,”

“David,” she shakes his hands too.

Her eyes dart between us. “A couple?“

I chuckle with a little shake of my head. “Good friends,”

She nods. “Alright then,”

She slides back to the desk, which is just next to mine, and finally, I'm able to put behind thoughts of Alexander and get to work.

Time did speed by fast, and when I get the chance to check my phone, it's lunchtime.

My eyes fall on Fiona, who has engaged David in a conversation about the company. I quietly excuse myself to the break room.

…

I mutter a quick thanks to the worker who had given directions to the break room and head for the elevator. Just as I stop in front of the elevator, the door slides open and a female staff member steps out. I return her polite smile, and just as I am about to step in, I recognize the person standing inside.

Alexander Morgan. The man I have been dreading seeing.

In that moment, my feet betrays me, forgetting how to move. I start to feel it again when his eyes hold mine. The familiar guilt that settles in the depths of my stomach as my ears ring with the words I last spoke to him.