"Ms Lucas, come to my office now," Asher said through the intercom. There was no hint of politeness in his tone like before.
A few minutes later, she knocked on Asher's door and was asked to enter.
"Yes, sir, you called," she said in a professional tone.
Asher wore a navy blue suit. He didn't look at her. He was typing on his laptop, his movement hurried.
"The executive conference meeting I asked you to schedule is happening in a few minutes. Did you forget to set a reminder?" he asked
"No, Sir. I was about to remind you but your call came, " she replied nervously. The truth was, she forgot to set a reminder for the meeting.
"I don't appreciate late meeting reminders, especially when the meeting is as important as today's own." he let out a sharp breath and adjusted his cufflinks. "Am I understood? Ms Lucas?"
"Y…. Yes Sir. I understand" Her hands fidgeted with the hem of her blouse as she lowered her gaze.
"And as my assistant, I need you to put things down on this tab" he said as he handed her a tab.
"Of course, Sir," she took the tab carefully.
Asher got up, put on his suit jacket, and walked out of his office. Savannah followed behind him.
Savannah walked briskly through the hallway, the tablet in her hand. She was nervous.
This wasn't just any meeting— it was a conference with major investors. She noticed Asher was on edge than usual, which means she had to be at her best.
They both walked into a huge hall that bore 'conference room' on the top of the glass door. The hall was filled with powerful men and women in expensive, tailored suits, seated around a massive table lined with silver nameplates and branded portfolios.
The company logo was illustrated in soft blue on the podium.
Savannah looked around the hall, which was lined with creative energy— the walls had frames of all the top executives, Asher included.
The boards, close to the podium, were filled with diagrams, sticky notes, and color-coded timelines. Quotes from tech legends and bold mantras, like "creative, innovative, scale," were carved onto glass dividers.
Asher stood at the head of the table, calm and powerful. His presence alone commanded the room, and Savannah, despite his anger towards her couldn't help but admire the authority Asher's presence carried.
Savannah took a seat and quietly reviewed the files she'd prepped. The hall was quiet as if they expected someone else to walk through the doors.
Then the door creaked. She looked at the glass door as it opened. What she didn't expect was for her almost forgotten past to confront her so vividly.
Her eyes landed on the tall male figure as he approached, one hand in his pocket. It was—
Marcus.
He looked bigger and more mature. His hair was shorter and slicked back neatly. His appearance screamed wealth. His neatly tailored brown suit matched his sleek dark brown hair. His gold wristwatch and sleek black shoes made him look very polished. He was as handsome as she remembered, with his blue eyes and charming smile. It wasn't just about how he looked— it was his presence.
His eyes scanned the room.
Savannah held the tab tightly. It wasn't until his eyes landed on her for just a second, then moved past her. That second was enough for her to remember the pain she had felt five years ago.
The man who broke her heart. Her past in the flesh— now dressed in an expensive suit. He took a seat, and as soon as his eyes locked with Savannah's. He smirked.
She quickly looked away.
Marcus was here, not as an outsider like her, but as a key figure investor. A major one, judged by where he took his seat.
Savannah looked down at her screen, as she hoped Asher didn't notice the color drain from her face or the way her hands trembled.
"Let's begin," Asher said with his usual cold command.
Savannah focused and took notes. But her mind couldn't believe it. What were the odds?
The meeting pressed on, and Asher, as always, was in control. Savannah tried her best not to look at Marcus. But she could feel his eyes on her.
Marcus didn't speak during most of the meeting, he mostly watched her. Until Asher opened the floor for questions and feedback.
"I have a suggestion," Marcus said. His voice sounded smooth and authoritative.
Savannah froze as he rose to speak.
Marcus directed his words to Asher, but he never took his eyes off Savannah. "I believe we should revisit our regional redevelopment contracts. Especially the private properties around SoHo, here in Manhattan."
Savannah's breath caught in her throat. That was the location of her family's cafe. She didn't dare to look up.
"We'll look into it," Asher replied.
When the meeting ended. Savannah stood quickly, eager to escape, but Marcus cut off her path with one smooth step forward.
"Well, well. I can't believe it's you Savannah," Marcus called her name with a smooth drawl. "I didn't know you worked here," he added, as he smiled.
Savannah held her head high. "Neither did I." She replied curtly.
"You look great," he said as he leaned into her, but Asher stepped between them. His eyes were on Marcus.
"She's not here for small talk," Asher said coldly, as he gave Marcus a brief icy glance before he walked off. Savannah quickly followed behind him.
When they got to his office, Asher didn't say a word about Marcus.
"I want you to sort out these files according to the highest investors to the lowest" He said, as he handed her a file he got from one of the top executives' secretaries.
"Yes, sir" she replied and took the file from him.
"You can take the remaining day off. When you are done with all your work." He said, and grabbed another file from his office drawer and left his office.
"Okay, thank you." He said but he had already left.
Savannah sorted all the files accordingly and she also made some corrections to them.
Moments later her phone buzzed. It was a message from Elena.
Elena: Hey! Don't forget Liam's new school has a parent orientation today, you might want to be there. Starts in 30 mins. New school New faces.
Savannah exhaled. Right. At the new private school, she and Elena had agreed for Liam to attend. She hadn't even had time to breathe since starting at the company.
She looked at the computer and sighed, as she realized she was done with all the work she had for today. She grabbed her bag and left.
Savannah arrived at the school just in time. The school looked bright and lively, filled with excited voices from kids and quiet conversations among parents.
The auditorium was filled with men and women in casual corporate attire— which I guess were the staff of the school. The walls also had banners of school values and excellence.
Savannah stepped in quietly and scanned for familiar faces. Elena waved from the side where Liam sat with other children, as they smiled with excitement. "I guess he is happy to start school soon," she murmured to herself.
The host took to the stage, as he welcomed everyone. And then— "Up next is one of our special guest speakers. CEO of Asher Tech, Mr Asher Maximilian!"
What?
Savannah nearly choked on air. She quickly slipped into a seat at the back as she hoped he wouldn't see her.
Applause broke out as Asher walked to the auditorium. In a different suit from this morning. Right now he wore a charcoal black suit with a black tie.
"Is my boss hot or is it just the room?" she said to herself. Damn, he has good genes. She could appreciate it. And then she saw someone else.
Marcus.
He sat casually in the front row. She went stiff.
Liam the ever-curious kid raised up his hands to ask a question because it was time for the question and answer segment.
"Yes, young man," Asher said, amused. "What's your name?"
"Liam!"
Asher gave a small smile. "Nice to meet you, Liam. What's your question?"
"If you make all the rules at your company, who makes rules for you?" Liam asked innocently.
The question made the room chuckle.
Asher smiled. "That's a very clever question. You see, it's all about self discipline Liam. Owning a company is no easy thing so there must be developed discipline to make the company successful. I also hold myself accountable to my executives and board of directors. I hope that answers your question."
Savannah smiled.
Asher's segment ended with a round of applause.
Savannah stepped aside to wait for Liam while he chatted with his schoolmates. However, the little boy spotted her first.
"Mommy!" he screamed happily, as ran across the hall.
She dropped to her knees and caught him in a warm hug. "My baby!"
Elena stood nearby and offered them a soft smile.
Savannah kissed Liam's cheek, as she whispered sweet words to him. "Did you have fun?"
"Yes! Mommy the hero talked today" Liam said as he pointed toward the stage."And the other man that walked in here with him has my eyes."
She froze.
That's when she felt it.
Two presence.
Two pairs of eyes.
A moment of silence.
Then two voices spoke at once. "You have a son?"
She stood up, then turned around— Asher and Marcus stood behind her as they watched with an unreadable expression on their faces. Asher on her left, Marcus on her right.
Both men stared at her, then at the little boy, then back at her again.
Before Savannah could speak. Liam looked up at them innocently and added with a bright smile. "You see Mommy, they both have my eyes. Isn't that funny?"
And just like that everything began to unravel.