BOUND BY A BILLIONAIRE EPISODE 3
1357 Words
CHAPTER 6: HER FIRST DAY
Aria woke before her alarm rang.
For the first time in days, she didn't wake up with tears in her eyes.
Instead, she felt something unfamiliar.
Hope.
She sat up slowly, staring at the official employment letter lying neatly on her bedside table.
Brooks International.
She had read the letter at least ten times before going to bed.
It still didn't feel real.
A gentle knock sounded on her door.
"Come in."
Her father peeked inside with a smile.
"So... is the new executive ready for her first day?"
Aria laughed.
"I think so."
"I know so."
He walked over and handed her a small gift box.
"What's this?"
"Open it."
Inside was a silver wristwatch with a simple design.
"It's beautiful."
Her father smiled proudly.
"When you were little, you always said successful people wore watches because every minute mattered."
"I guess your time has finally come."
Tears welled in Aria's eyes.
She hugged him tightly.
"Thank you, Dad."
"Make us proud."
"I will."
...
Half an hour later, Aria stepped into Brooks International wearing a cream-colored blouse, a black pencil skirt, and the watch her father had given her.
She looked confident.
Professional.
Nothing like the broken woman who had walked out of the Carter Estate just a few days earlier.
The receptionist greeted her warmly.
"Good morning, Miss Williams."
"Good morning."
"Ms. Brooks is waiting for you upstairs."
A few minutes later, Olivia Brooks welcomed her into the executive conference room.
"Congratulations again."
"Thank you."
"I've already informed everyone about your appointment."
Olivia handed her an employee badge.
"From today, you're officially our Executive Strategy Manager."
Aria accepted it with both hands.
"I won't disappoint you."
"I believe that."
Just then, several department heads entered the room.
Olivia introduced them one after another.
"This is Henry, our Finance Director."
"This is Rachel from Human Resources."
"And this is Liam Foster, Director of Operations."
Everyone greeted her politely.
Except one.
Liam merely nodded before returning to the documents in his hands.
He seemed cold.
Professional.
Almost impossible to read.
After the meeting, Olivia leaned closer.
"Don't mind Liam."
"He's like that with everyone."
"Once he trusts someone, he's one of the best people you'll ever meet."
Aria smiled.
"I'll keep that in mind."
...
The morning passed quickly.
Aria reviewed company reports, attended meetings, and shared several ideas for improving workflow.
By lunchtime, people had already begun whispering.
"She's impressive."
"No wonder Ms. Brooks hired her immediately."
"I thought she was only here because of connections."
"I guess we were wrong."
Unaware of the conversations around her, Aria focused entirely on her work.
She had something to prove.
Not to Ethan.
Not to the people who had laughed at her.
To herself.
...
Across town...
Daniel placed another file on Ethan's desk.
"Sir, Brooks International has officially announced Miss Williams as their new Executive Strategy Manager."
Ethan stopped signing the document in front of him.
"What?"
Daniel nodded.
"The announcement was made this morning."
"They're already introducing her to investors."
Ethan stared silently at the report.
Just a week ago...
Aria had been planning their wedding.
Now she was rebuilding a career she had once sacrificed for him.
For some reason, he couldn't stop thinking about her.
Sophia suddenly walked into his office carrying two cups of coffee.
"I thought you might need a break."
She noticed the file in his hands.
"What's that?"
"Nothing."
He closed it immediately.
Sophia forced a smile, but something about his reaction bothered her.
For the first time...
She wondered if Aria's disappearance had left a bigger mark on Ethan than he was willing to admit.
...
Back at Brooks International, Aria was organizing documents when Olivia entered her office.
"I have one more assignment for you."
"I'm ready."
Olivia placed a thick blue folder on her desk.
"We've been trying to secure a partnership with Carter Group."
Aria's smile disappeared.
Carter Group.
Ethan's company.
Olivia continued.
"The first negotiation meeting is tomorrow morning."
"I'd like you to represent Brooks International."
Aria slowly looked up.
Tomorrow...
She would come face to face with the man who had broken her heart.
End of Chapter 6.
CHAPTER 7: FACE TO FACE
Aria stared at the blue folder on her desk long after Olivia had left her office.
Carter Group.
Of all the companies in the city, it had to be Carter Group.
The name alone was enough to bring back memories she had been trying so hard to bury.
She took a deep breath and closed the folder.
"No," she whispered to herself. "I'm not running anymore."
This wasn't about Ethan.
It was about her job.
Her future.
Her new life.
She would attend the meeting as a professional, nothing more.
...
That evening, Aria arrived home earlier than usual.
Her mother immediately noticed the worried look on her face.
"What happened?"
Aria placed her handbag on the dining table.
"I have a meeting tomorrow."
"That's wonderful."
"It is..."
She hesitated.
"It's with Carter Group."
The room fell silent.
Her father slowly lowered the newspaper he was reading.
"Ethan's company?"
She nodded.
"I can ask Olivia to send someone else."
Her father stood and walked toward her.
"No."
Aria looked up.
"If you avoid him now, you'll spend the rest of your life avoiding your past."
"You've done nothing wrong."
"If anyone should feel uncomfortable tomorrow..."
"It should be Ethan."
His words settled deep in her heart.
For the first time, she realized something.
She wasn't the one who had betrayed someone.
She wasn't the one who had lied.
She had nothing to be ashamed of.
That night, she carefully prepared her presentation, reviewing every document until nearly midnight.
When she finally went to bed, she made herself one promise.
Tomorrow, she would walk into Carter Group with her head held high.
...
The next morning...
The headquarters of Carter Group stood proudly in the center of the business district.
Luxury cars lined the entrance as executives hurried inside.
A black company vehicle stopped in front of the building.
Aria stepped out confidently, dressed in a tailored white suit with black heels.
She looked elegant.
Professional.
Confident.
Several employees glanced in her direction.
"Who is she?"
"I think she's from Brooks International."
"She's stunning."
Aria ignored the whispers as she entered the lobby.
The receptionist smiled politely.
"Good morning."
"Welcome to Carter Group."
"I'm Aria Williams from Brooks International."
"We're expecting you."
"This way, please."
As she stepped into the elevator, she silently repeated the words her father had told her.
If anyone should be uncomfortable...
It should be Ethan.
...
Meanwhile...
Inside the executive conference room, Ethan was reviewing the partnership proposal.
Daniel entered carrying a folder.
"The representatives from Brooks International have arrived."
Ethan nodded without looking up.
"Send them in."
The conference room doors slowly opened.
Olivia walked in first.
Behind her...
Aria entered.
The moment Ethan looked up, his heart skipped a beat.
He almost didn't recognize her.
Gone was the woman who had always stood quietly beside him.
Standing before him now was someone completely different.
She looked calm.
Confident.
Beautiful.
More importantly...
She didn't look at him with love anymore.
She looked at him the same way she looked at everyone else in the room.
Like a complete stranger.
For the first time since their breakup...
Ethan felt nervous.
Olivia smiled professionally.
"Good morning, everyone."
"Thank you for meeting with us."
Ethan slowly stood.
His eyes never left Aria.
"Welcome to Carter Group."
Aria finally met his gaze.
There was no anger.
No sadness.
No longing.
Only professionalism.
She extended her hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Carter."
The words struck Ethan harder than any insult.
Mr. Carter.
Not Ethan.
Not the man she once loved.
Just another business partner.
For a brief second, he hesitated before shaking her hand.
The touch lasted only a moment.
But it was enough to make him realize something terrifying.
The warmth he had always taken for granted...
Was gone.
And for the first time...
Ethan wondered if losing Aria had been the biggest mistake of his life.
End of Chapter 7.
- Writer
