Chapter 2

• 5 YEARS LATER
• Serena’s POV
• I walked into my bright, sunny workplace at Rocky’s Designs. The walls were painted a light yellow, and the shelves were filled with sketches and small flower pots.
• My large desk was at the centre, with a window behind it showing the city skyline.
• This was my firm.
• I developed it from the ground up, using only a few ideas and a lot of hard labour.
• "Good morning, Miss Serena!" Emma, my assistant, said with a wide smile as she entered behind me.
• She held a cup of coffee for me.
• “Good morning, Emma,” I said, taking the cup. “Thank you. Do we have a busy day today?"
• "Oh, yes," she replied, gazing at her tab.
• “You have a meeting at 10 with the marketing team, a call with a client at 11, and a lunch meeting with Mr. Hayes."
• “Mr. Hayes?" I enquired, lifting an eyebrow.
• Emma nodded. "He wants to discuss the new project." I sighed, yet smiled.
• “Alright, let's get to it."
• As I sat down, I looked at the photograph on my desk. It was a picture of my four-year-old daughter, Amy.
• Her sparkling blue eyes and curling brown hair would always make me grin. She was my entire universe.
• “Mommy's working hard for you," I said to the photo before turning on the computer.
• The meeting began at ten o'clock. I sat at the head of the table, with the marketing team assembled around.
• “Okay, let's hear your ideas for the new campaign," I said, tapping my pen on my notebook.
• Jason, a young team member, spoke up. "We were thinking about using bright colours and fun patterns to complement the new designs. It's clean and modern, just like Rocky's designs!"
• I nodded, enjoying his exuberance.
• “That sounds fantastic, Jason. Let's make sure the message is clear and easy to understand. Our designs aim to make homes happy and beautiful."
• “Yes, ma'am!" Jason replied, scribbling notes.
• The meeting lasted an hour, and at the end, I felt proud of my team.
• They were as inventive and passionate as I thought they would be.
• I met Mr. Hayes for lunch at the cafeteria in my company. He was a tall man with grey hair and a pleasant smile.
• “Ms. Serena, it's always a pleasure," he added as we exchanged handshakes.
• “Good to see you, too, Mr. Hayes," I said.
• We sat at a table near the window. The server handed us menus, and we ordered sandwiches and ice tea.
• It wasn't long before the meeting was wrapped up. We shook hands, and I walked towards the lift to return to my office.
• My heels clicked against the tiled floor. I was deep in contemplation, going over the concepts from the day, when I got a weird sensation.
• It was as if someone was observing me. I looked over my shoulder and saw nothing peculiar.
• I dismissed the feeling and entered the lift, pressing the button for my floor.
• The doors started to close, and as they did, I heard a voice say, "Wait!" The voice caused my breath to catch.
• It sounded too familiar… the voice. But before I could respond, the lift doors closed and I was on my way up.
• I shook my head, convincing myself it was nothing.
• Ryan's POV.
• I arrived at Rocky's Designs, with my assistant, Jefferson, close behind.
• The structure looked sleek and modern, with a lot of bustle.
• I had come here to discuss a possible collaboration, and while I was unfamiliar with the organisation, I had heard about their remarkable work.
• As we approached the foyer, my gaze searched the surroundings. It was bright and friendly, with stylish furniture and artwork that reflected the company's creative side.
• “This way, Mr Winters," Jefferson remarked, motioning towards the lifts.
• As we waited, my attention was drawn to a woman walking in front of us. She wore a fitted navy dress and heels that clicked softly against the ground.
• Her hair flowed down her back in waves, and something about her strides, the way she carried herself, tugged at my memory.
• I narrowed my eyes, trying to place her.
• “No,” I muttered beneath my breath. It couldn’t be.
• The lift doors opened, I was stunned for a second, unsure whether my eyes were playing tricks on me.
• But she turned slightly, allowing me to catch a glimpse of her profile. My heart has stopped.
• “Serena?" I spoke softly at first.
• "Wait!" I called again, louder this time, and moved quickly towards the lift.
• She did not hear me—or perhaps she disregarded me.
• By the time I arrived, the doors had already closed.
• “Sir?" Jefferson enquired, looking at me with worry. I stood there, staring at the closing lift doors, my thoughts racing.
• Was it actually her? After so many years?
• “Is something wrong, Mr. Winters?" Jefferson asked again. I shook my head, but my chest felt tighter.
• “No. Let us take the next lift.” My thoughts were anything but peaceful.
• What was Serena doing here? And why did meeting her again rekindle sentiments I thought I had buried years ago?
• Jefferson was still trying to figure out what was going on with me when he pressed the lift button.
• He walked in right away, and I was going to follow suit when I heard a small voice from a distance.
• “Wait for me, please!" yelled a tiny girl with haste.
• I turned and saw a little girl with wavy brown hair bouncing as she rushed towards the lift.
• She was holding a teddy bunny in one hand and waving her other arm in the air to get our attention.
• Her brilliant blue eyes gleamed, and I couldn't help but smile at her innocence.
• "Hold the door for me!" she exclaimed again, her small legs straining to close the gap.
• I reflexively held the lift door open and glanced at Jefferson, who gave me a puzzled expression.
• “It's just a kid," I said with a shrug, motioning for the small girl to enter.
• "Thank you so much, sir!" she exclaimed, gathering her breath as she entered the lift.
• Her speech was pleasant, friendly, and very mature for someone so young. She held her bunny teddy and smiled up at me.
• “You're welcome," I said, still amused. "What are you doing here alone? Shouldn't someone be with you?"
• “Oh, I'm not alone," she replied confidently. "I'm here to see my mummy, she works here."
• Her mum? My curiosity piqued. "Does your mum work at Rocky's Designs? What does she do?"
• "She's the boss," the little girl said proudly, standing a little taller. "She's the CEO!"
• I raised an eyebrow. "The CEO?"
• The child nodded enthusiastically, her curls bouncing.
• “Yup! Mommy is really busy, yet she always finds time for me."
• The lift dinged, indicating that we had reached the top floor. As the doors swung open, the little girl dashed out with the zest that only a child possessed.
• “Thanks again, mister!" she murmured as she ran towards the reception counter.
• I took a slower stride out, following her out of curiosity. She dashed up to the woman sitting behind the desk, who smiled pleasantly at her.
• "Hi, Amy!" said the receptionist, who identified herself as Emma on her nameplate.
• “Here to see your mum?"
• “Yes, please!" Amy chirped.
• Emma chuckled. "Alright, let me take you to her office." She stood up and extended her hand for Amy to accept.
• Amy looked back at me. "You can come too, mister!" Before I could react, Emma turned to me with a pleasant but strong smile.
• “I apologise, sir. Strangers are not allowed in the CEO's office.” I nodded, understanding, but as Emma and Amy walked away, something caught my attention just as the office door opened and closed.
• A nameplate on the large desk inside the room gleamed in the light.
• Serena Winthrop, CEO
• My breath hitched.
• It is her!