Face to Face
1010 Words
The conference hall was so silent that Ariana Hart could hear the echo of her own heels clicking on the marble floor.
She stood at the podium, her hands gripping its edges as she stared intently at the man before her.
Her heart thundered in her chest.
It had been five years since that fateful day, and she had envisioned this moment hundreds of times over.
She had pictured herself shouting curses at him.
She had imagined walking away with her head held high, refusing to acknowledge his presence.
But now that he was just a few feet in front of her...
All she felt was an overwhelming sense of emptiness.
Damien Blackwood remained in his seat at the judges' panel, his piercing gaze fixed on her.
It really was her.
She hadn't vanished off the face of the earth after all, she'd simply vanished from his life.
"Miss Hart," the host said, giving her a polite smile.
"You may begin your presentation."
Ariana took a steadying breath.
"Thank you," she said.
The screen behind her lit up, displaying the logo of Hart Bakery.
"Six years ago, Hart Bakery was just a small shop with only one oven, three employees, and a dream," she announced.
Her voice was calm and collected, betraying none of the turmoil within.
"We believe that food can do more than fill our stomachs - it can create memories and bring families together."
The audience listened intently as charts and figures appeared on the screen, showcasing the bakery's sales, customer base, and future plans.
Everything had been meticulously prepared.
Even the stoic Damien Blackwood, whose heart seemed wrenched from his chest, could not deny her success.
As the applause erupted, the host gave her a satisfied smile.
"Thank you, Miss Hart.
We will now move on to the judges' questions.
First, let us start with Mr.
Grant," he said, gesturing to the man on his right.
Ariana took a breath as the first judge questioned her about the bakery's production rates.
She gave a flawless answer, and soon it was the second judge's turn.
The next question regarded Hart Bakery's expansion plans.
Once again, Ariana responded with eloquence and precision.
Then, to her surprise, the microphone in front of the third judge - who remained silent until now - suddenly came to life.
The hall fell silent as all eyes were on Damien Blackwood.
He stared right at her.
"Miss Hart," he said.
Ariana's fingers curled around the clicker in her hand.
"Mr.
Blackwood," she replied.
His voice was as smooth as ever.
"Why do you think you rejected all investment offers in the past three years?"
Ariana met his gaze without flinching.
"Because I didn't need investors.
I needed a partner.
What's the difference between the two, Mr.
Blackwood?"
A faint smile played at Damien's lips.
"The former would fund your business," he replied.
"A partner would share in your dreams.
That's the difference, Miss Hart.
An investor would have bought your company.
A partner would have bought your heart." The first genuine smile of the day appeared on Damien's lips.
It was barely noticeable, but it wasn't lost on anyone in the room.
Richard Grant almost choked on his tongue, and the rest of the executives gaped at him in shock.
Mr.
Blackwood - the man who had never smiled in his entire life - had just smiled at Hart Bakery's founder.
Damien simply clicked the microphone again, silencing the sudden murmur in the room.
"I have no more questions, Miss Hart," he said finally.
Ariana gave a polite nod.
"Thank you.
Damien.
Thank you so much," she said, stepping down from the podium.
---
Outside the conference hall, Ariana slumped against the wall, releasing a shaky breath.
Her hands trembled slightly as she steadied herself.
"Are you alright?" came a voice.
She turned around to see Richard Grant.
"I'll be fine," she replied.
His next words made her heart stop.
"Mr.
Blackwood would like to speak with you privately after the summit.
" Ariana frowned.
"No.
" Richard blinked in surprise.
"I'm sorry?
" Her voice was steady.
"No, I'm not interested in speaking with him.
" He only wants to talk.
There is nothing left to say.
" She turned around and walked away before Richard could say anything else.
---
Inside the conference hall, Richard came to stand in front of Damien.
"She refused," he said.
Damien looked up from the papers on the table, his expression unreadable.
" Refused? " Richard cleared his throat.
"She turned down Mr.
Blackwood's offer to speak with her privately." A heavy silence hung in the air.
None of the executives had ever refused Damien Blackwood before.
Not investors offering millions of dollars, not politicians holding high positions, and certainly not random women who fancied themselves fashion icons.
And yet, here was Ariana Hart, walking away from their "date" as if it had never happened.
It was not anger that churned in Damien's chest, but something far more vile - guilt.
"Cancel my afternoon meetings," he said quietly.
Richard blinked in surprise.
" Sir? " "I will speak with her myself," Damien said.
---
At the science museum, Noah and the twins were packing their things when Ethan tugged at his father's sleeve.
"Uncle Noah?" he asked.
"Yes?" Noah looked down at him.
"When Mommy came back yesterday...
She was sad.
What happened?" Noah's smile faded.
"Sometimes adults remember things that make them sad," he replied.
Ethan looked down at his hands.
"Was it because of Daddy?" Noah didn't answer right away.
Then he knelt in front of Ethan.
"One day...
You will understand," he said.
Ethan nodded.
He didn't quite understand what his mother was so sad about, but he knew he wanted to meet the man who made her feel that way.
He had no idea that the man was already looking for him, searching for the son that had been ripped from his arms long ago.
And that fate was about to bring the two together, faster than either of them anticipated.
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