Chasing The Wrong Bride

Theo's POV My meeting was boring me to death. Four men in expensive suits were sitting around my conference table arguing about a merger that I had already approved in my head two hours ago. The numbers were on the screen, the profits were clear, but they kept talking in circles just to hear their own voices. I was trying not to show it, but my chest was getting tight. The air conditioning in this conference room was always too cold. Cold air makes my asthma worse. I slipped my hand into my suit pocket and felt for my inhaler. Just in case. It was there. I relaxed a little. Suddenly, the door burst open without a knock. Only one person in this entire company building would dare do that. Carl Jensen. My PA, my best friend since university, and the only i***t who would interrupt a ten-million-dollar meeting. He was holding his tablet tight to his chest with a serious expression on his face. "Theo, I'm sorry to interrupt," he said to the room, but he was looking only at me. "You need to see this, right now. It's about her." Her. I stood up immediately, "meeting is over. My office will send you the final decision by 5pm today.” I adjusted my jacket, “It's a yes. You can leave now." I didn't wait for them to pack up their laptops. I walked out with Carl straight to my private office at the end of the hall. I locked the door behind us. My heart was beating fast. For six months, I have been looking for her. The girl from the lounge fire. "Tell me you found her," I said, turning to him. Six months ago, there was a small electrical fire incident at the Lure Lounge downtown. I was there for a business drink with a client when the fire started. Smoke filled the room too fast and my asthma attack kicked in. Everyone was running for their lives and in that chaos, I dropped my inhaler and couldn’t breathe. I fell to the floor, gasping for breath but no one stopped for me Except one girl. She dragged me out and hit my back until I coughed. She was small but strong. I could still hear her voice as she rubbed my back, "Breathe, please. Come on, breathe for me." And she smelled like roses. Soft, sweet roses, even inside all that smoke. When the ambulance came, she was gone. She didn't even leave her name. The only thing left behind was a small silver bracelet with a crescent moon charm that fell off her wrist. Carl unlocked his tablet and gave it to me. "We found her. Or at least, we found the bracelet." On the screen was an i********: post. A girl posing while holding a cocktail and smiling at the camera. She was pretty, in a rich, spoiled girl way. Blonde hair, expensive nails. But that wasn't what made my heart stop. On her wrist was the bracelet. Thin silver chain, small crescent moon. Exactly the same one I kept in my safe for the past six months. I zoomed in with my fingers. "Who is she?" "Chloe Reynolds. Twenty-two years old. Only daughter of Grayson Reynolds. They own the Reynolds restaurant chain downtown. The picture was posted one hour before the fire and she was tagged at the lounge that night. The timing matches perfectly, Theo." Carl swiped and showed me more pictures. Her family, her rich life, her parties. "She was there, Theo. An hour before the fire started. She must be the one who saved you." It made perfect sense. The timing fit. The bracelet fit. Carl watched me carefully. "Do you want me to bring her in? I can set up a meeting for tomorrow." "No." I said immediately, shaking my head. "No, don't do that." If she saved my life and didn't want a reward, I didn't want to scare her by dragging her to my office. I wanted to be respectful with a bit of chivalry too. My mother always taught me to be chivalrous to women who deserve it. "She's not the type to ask for money," I said, looking at the bracelet again. "If she wanted it, she would have come forward when we announced the ten million reward on TV. She is good. I need to appreciate her properly, not just throw money at her." Carl smiled. He knows me too well. "So, you want to win her over." "Call Valentina," I replied instead. "The jewelry designer. Tell her I want a custom necklace. Handmade. Best gold." "What design?" I thought about the scent that night. Roses. That was all I could remember when I thought about her. "Rose," I answered without thinking. "A rose pendant. Beautiful, delicate, but strong. With her initials engraved at the back. C.R. For Chloe Reynolds." Carl started typing fast on his tablet. "Got it. C.R. Rose pendant, handmade. I'll send the brief to Valentina now. She said custom work like that will take at least three days minimum." "Three days is fine. Add a note inside the box. 'To the girl who smelled like roses and saved my life." I finally sat down. My chest felt lighter. For the first time in six months, I felt like I could finally thank her. "What else do I have today?" I asked. Carl pulled up my calendar. "You have an impromptu meeting with Mr. Wilson from Wilshire conglomerates and dinner with the Singapore investors at eight at Swiss Hotel.” I leaned into my seat, “Bring Mr. Wilson in, and push the dinner time a bit closer.” “Seven works for you?” “Perfect.” Carl snapped his tablet shut, a serious expression on his face, “that is all on your schedule for today. And don't forget, it's George's birthday in three days. Boys' night. You promised Bob and George you would come. They said you have been working too much an they will kill you if you miss it." I groaned. "Do I have to go? There should be something on my schedule for that day." Carl shook his head, “Nope, I made sure of that. Come on, Theo, it's George, you know how he is. He will literally cry if you don't show up. And Bob already booked the private booth." "Fine. One hour only. Then I go home." "Two hours," Carl said, grinning. "And you're buying the drinks because you're the richest." I was about to say something when a notification dropped on my system. At the same time, Carl’s phone buzzed in his pockets. We exchanged glances on seeing the message. “Shoot, there’s no way she’s in town, man,” Carl muttered with a look of horror in his eyes. He headed for the door immediately, “I’ll take care of it.”