Chapter 3

• Ryan's POV
• I left Rocky's Designs that day with my head racing.
• It had to be her.
• The name on the desk; Serena Winthrop. It was not a coincidence.
• Could the little girl be Serena's daughter? I could not quit thinking about her.
• We shared a past. How things ended drastically. And now, five years later, she is running a profitable business and maybe raising a child.
• I shook my head as I considered the child who could be—
• No, I needed answers and would get them.
• The following day, I arrived at the company early, determined to see her.
• I had a meeting with her staff to discuss a potential collaboration, but I wasn't going to finalise anything until I saw Serena.
• I wanted to know if she was the CEO and, more crucially, if the little girl was her daughter.
• The meeting started in a huge conference room. Her employees seemed eager to impress me, pitching ideas and tactics for how our companies could collaborate.
• But my attention was elsewhere.
• “Mr. Winters," one of them said, nervously smiling. "As you can see, we've put together a detailed proposal for the collaboration. Do you have any questions so far?"
• I sat back in my chair and crossed my arms. “Yes, I do."
• My tone was gentle yet firm. "I need the CEO present at this meeting. If she's not here, I'm afraid I won't be able to proceed with this partnership."
• The room went silent. The workers exchanged nervous glances, apparently taken aback by my demand.
• “Sir," one of them gently stated, "Ms. Winthrop is a very busy woman. She doesn't generally attend these meetings.”
• "Well, she'll need to make an exception," I said. "I never sign deals without first meeting with the person in charge. If the CEO is not present, I will take my business elsewhere."
• Panic washed over their faces. They understood how crucial this relationship was to their organisation.
• After a brief, hushed talk between them, one of them stood up. "Excuse us for a moment, Mr. Winters," he said, exiting the room with another coworker.
• Serena's POV
• I was in my office studying some reports when I heard a knock on the door.
• “Come in," I said without looking up.
• Emma entered, looking apprehensive. "Ms. Serena, we have a situation."
• I looked at her with a frown. "What kind of situation?"
• “It’s the client from yesterday, Mr. Winters. He refuses to proceed with the collaboration unless you attend the meeting."
• My heart skips a beat.
• Mr Winters? Isn't that Ryan? I knew I’d heard a voice identical to his yesterday, and he was most likely seeking to confirm his concerns.
• “Can't someone else handle it?" I asked, attempting to calm my anxiety.
• Emma shakes her head. "He insisted on meeting you. If you don't go, we may lose the transaction."
• I sighed, seeing I had little alternative. "Alright. Let us get this over with.”
• I straightened my blazer and followed Emma to the conference room.
• As the door opened, all eyes shifted to me.
• And there he was. Ryan.
• He stood up as I entered, his gaze fixed on mine. For a little period, I was unable to breathe.
• He looked the same but different. Ryan had grown older and more mature, but he remains undeniably Ryan.
• “Ms. Winthrop," one of my employees announced, shattering the stillness.
• "This is Mr. Winters."
• “I know who he is," I responded sternly, cutting him off.
• Ryan's lips curved into a small smirk. "Hello, Serena."
• I forced a pleasant smile. "Mr. Winters."
• The anxiety in the room was evident, but I got through it. I couldn't let my feelings show, especially in front of my workers.
• "Shall we proceed?" I enquired, taking a seat at the head of the table.
• Ryan's gaze remained fixed on me throughout the meeting.
• I maintained a professional demeanour, focussing on the specifics of the partnership while avoiding any personal engagement with him.
• Ryan's POV
• Serena strolled into the room, and I recognised her right away.
• She hadn't changed much over the course of five years. She still exuded the same confidence and presence that lured me to become her friend in school.
• However, there was something else now. A wall. She kept her responses brief and professional, not meeting my gaze for more than a few seconds.
• I listened to the remainder of the talk, paying little attention to the contents.
• I couldn't stop thinking about her and the little kid I saw yesterday.
• When the meeting concluded, I stood up and met Serena's eyes.
• “Ms. Winthrop," I said with a formal tone. "I'd like to have a word with you in private."
• She paused, staring at her team. They gazed at her with anticipation, evidently expecting she would accept.
• “Of course," she replied regretfully. "This way." She escorted me to her office, keeping the door open so I could enter.
• The room looked as bright and immaculate as I remembered from yesterday.
• “Please, have a seat," she added, her voice clipped.
• I sat down and watched her closely as she took her seat behind the desk.
• "What do you want, Ryan?" she enquired, folding her hands on the desk.
• I leaned forwards. "You, Serena. I want answers."
• “Answers about what?" she enquired, pretending ignorance.
• “Don't play games with me, Serena," I added with a harder tone. "The little girl I saw yesterday—Is she your daughter?"
• Her countenance froze, and for a brief minute, I believed she was about to tell me. But as she opened her mouth to speak, her phone rang, interrupting her response.
• She looked at the caller ID, as she responded. "Hello?"
• I couldn't hear the voice on the other end, but her pale face and panicked eyes were clear.
• “What happened?" she enquired, her voice quivering. "Is she okay?"
• There was a moment before she rose up abruptly, grabbing her bag.
• “I'll be there right away," she replied before hanging up.
• “What's going on?" I enquired while standing as well.
• Serena barely noticed me as she ran towards the door. "My daughter." She was injured at school and rushed to the hospital."
• "Hold on, I'd drive you there." I replied, praying she wouldn't answer no.
• I could tell she was apprehensive, but she eventually nodded.