THE EX WHO BECAME MY BOSS

Chapter 2: "PROFESSIONAL ONLY"*

The conference room was too quiet.

12 executives stared at their laptops. But I could feel only one pair of eyes on me.

Daniel.

"Amara," he said. My name. From his mouth. After 3 years.

It sounded the same. Rough. Like he used to say it at 3am.

"Yes, Mr. Sterling?" I kept my voice flat. Professional.

He flinched. Just barely.

"We’re restructuring the marketing team. You’ll report directly to me now."

A murmur went through the room.

Direct report. To the CEO.

That was a promotion. Or a trap.

"I appreciate the opportunity," I said. "But I’m happy in my current role."

"That’s not a request." His tone was CEO now. Cold. Final.

"It’s effective Monday. 9am. My office."

The meeting ended. Everyone filed out.

I stayed in my chair, gripping my pen until my knuckles went white.

He didn’t leave either.

When the door closed, it was just us.

"Amara—"

"Don’t." I finally looked up. "Three years, Daniel. You don’t get to walk in and give me orders."

"I never stopped giving you orders," he said softly. "I told you to forget me."

That hit.

"I tried," I whispered. "Every day."

He walked around the table. Stopped 2 feet from me. Close enough to smell his cologne. The same one.

"I didn’t leave because I wanted to," he said.

"Then why?"

His jaw tightened. "Because if I stayed, you would’ve gotten hurt. Worse than this."

"So you decided for me?"

"I was protecting you."

I stood up. Had to. Being that close was breaking me.

"Well, thanks for the protection, Mr. Sterling. But I’m fine. I built a life without you."

I walked to the door.

His voice stopped me. Low.

"Did you? Build a life without me?"

I didn’t turn around.

Because the answer was no.

And we both knew it.

`9am Monday. My office.`