Love is in the Past: My Ex is my Present

Leon Blackwood straightened his tie as he walked through the gleaming lobby of Lumiere Cosmetics, his polished dress shoes clicking against the pristine marble floors. At just 35 years old, he was the newly appointed CEO of the prestigious beauty product manufacturer and retailer founded by his grandfather decades ago. This was his first official day leading the company, and Leon could feel the weight of the Blackwood family legacy resting squarely on his shoulders. A small part of him still couldn't believe he now stood at the helm of the business he had grown up around. After years spent climbing the corporate ladder elsewhere, the opportunity to take the reins had come sooner than Leon expected. His grandfather, the former CEO, had summoned him just last month with a surprising proposition - step up and lead Lumiere into the future. Leon's sharp gaze swept across the hallway, looking at the modern decor and the smartly dressed employees hurrying to their stations. He nodded to the security guard at the elevator, then rode up to the executive suite, mentally preparing himself for the busy schedule his assistant Olivia had laid out. Olivia, a bright-eyed woman in her mid-twenties who had been with the company for nearly 5 years, greeted him with a warm smile. "Good morning, Mr. Blackwood. I've got your schedule all ready for you which will be necessary and helpful to you throughout the day." She handed him a tablet, her fingers quickly swiping through the day's agenda. "Thank you, Olivia," Leon replied, glancing down at the screen. "It looks like a full day ahead, is this all of it?" "Yes, sir. Your first meeting is with the branch managers in about 10 minutes. I took the liberty of having some coffee and pastries set out for you in the conference room." Leon nodded, appreciating Olivia's thoughtfulness. "Excellent. I'd better get in there, then." Before heading to the meeting, Leon paused, fixing Olivia with a serious look. "I know this is a big transition for the company. I'm counting on you to keep everything running smoothly as I find my footing." "You can count on me, Mr. Blackwood," Olivia assured him, her expression radiating confidence. "I'll be here to support you every step of the way." Leon smiled as he turned around, “Also you can call me by the name I don’t want my secretary to be calling me Sir.” Satisfied, Leon walked towards the conference room, taking a deep breath to calm himself. This was his chance to put his own mark on the company, to steer Lumière Cosmetics in a bold new direction. His grandfather had built an impressive empire, but Leon knew he would need to adapt to changing market trends and consumer demands. The branch managers were already assembled when Leon entered the room, taking his place at the head of the long table. He surveyed the faces of the seasoned executives, many of whom had been with Lumiere for years. "Good morning, everyone. As you know, I'm Leon Blackwood, the new CEO." He paused, his gaze sweeping across the group. "I want to thank you all for the work you've done in growing this company to where it is today. However, I also believe it's time for some changes." Leon proceeded to outline his vision for Lumiere - increased focus on sustainable, eco-friendly product lines; expanded global distribution; a revamped digital marketing strategy to better reach younger consumers. The branch managers listened intently, some nodding in agreement while others exchanged uncertain glances. Just as Leon was about to open the floor for questions, the conference room door swung open. A woman barged in, her steps loud and striking features immediately catching the attention of everyone present in the room. "Sorry, I'm late," she said, her gaze sweeping across the assembled executives. "There was an issue at the branch I oversee that required my attention, I’m so sorry-" Leon felt the air leave his lungs as his eyes landed on the newcomer. It couldn't be... "Emilia?" he breathed, staring at her in utter disbelief. Emilia turned her head to meet the eyes that called out her name, her eyes widened, her mouth falling open as she met Leon's stunned gaze. "Leon..." she whispered, her voice barely audible. The two stood frozen, the tension in the room pretty obvious as the other branch managers shifted uncomfortably, uncertain of what was unfolding before them. Leon's mind raced, memories of his tumultuous past with Emilia flooding back. He had never expected to see her again, let alone in this professional setting, working under his leadership. His heart pounded in his chest as a million questions swirled through his mind. Leon cleared his throat, his gaze sweeping across the room. "Alright, everyone. I think that's enough for now. Let's take an extended break and reconvene in 30 minutes." The branch managers murmured in confusion but quickly filed out of the room, casting curious glances back at Leon. Once they were alone, he turned to Olivia, who had been standing quietly by the door. "Olivia, could you join me for a moment?" Leon asked, his tone serious. "Of course, Mr. Blackwood," Olivia replied, stepping forward. "Is everything alright?" Leon gestured for her to have a seat, then settled into the chair at the head of the table, fixing her with a measured look. "Tell me, how did Emilia Sinclair end up being hired as one of our branch managers?" Olivia's brow furrowed in confusion. "Emilia Sinclair? I'm afraid I don't know that name, sir." "She's the woman who just walked into the meeting late," Leon explained, his jaw tightening slightly. "The one I seemed to know." Leon rose from his seat, his gaze drifting towards the glass wall that looked out into the hallway. There, he could see Emilia standing alone, her arms folded across her chest as she stared off into the distance. A pang of emotion shot through him, memories of their tumultuous past threatening to resurface. Forcing himself to look away, Leon turned his attention back to Olivia, who was watching him intently. "This is a...delicate situation, Olivia," he said, his voice low. "Emilia and I have a history - one that I had hoped would remain firmly in the past." Olivia's brow furrowed with concern. "I see. And her being here, working under your leadership, that must be..." She trailed off, searching for the right words. "Unsettling?" Leon supplied, his jaw tightening. "Complicated? All of the above?" He let out a humourless chuckle. "I never imagined our paths would cross again like this." Olivia nodded slowly. "I can only imagine how difficult this must be for you, Mr. Blackwood." She paused, then added tentatively, "If you'd like, I can look into transferring Emilia to another branch, or even-" "No," Leon interrupted, his gaze snapping back towards the hallway. Emilia had moved, and he found himself unconsciously tracking her movements. "No, that won't be necessary." Turning his attention back to Olivia, he continued, "Emilia is a talented professional, and Lumiere needs her expertise. I won't punish her for my own...personal baggage." Olivia nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Understood. Then how would you like me to proceed, sir?" Leon let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through his hair. "For now, just keep this between us. I need time to figure out how to navigate this situation without it affecting the business." "You have my discretion, Mr. Blackwood," Olivia assured him, her voice steady. "I won't breathe a word of this to anyone." Leon offered her a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, Olivia. I don't know what I'd do without you." With that, he straightened his shoulders, turning towards the door. "Alright, let's get the rest of the meeting back on track. I have a feeling it's going to be a long day." As he reached for the door handle, Leon couldn't help but steal one more glance at Emilia through the glass. She was still standing there, her gaze fixed straight ahead, and he felt a familiar ache in his chest. Pushing down the flood of emotions, Leon took a deep breath and stepped back into the conference room, ready to face the challenges that lay ahead.