Chapter 5: The Woman from His Past
1076 Words
The Montenegro mansion stood proudly on top of a hill, its grand architecture glowing beneath the evening lights.
Luxury.
Power.
Perfection.
To everyone else, it was a dream.
To Adrian Montenegro...
It was nothing more than another prison.
The butler opened the massive wooden doors as Adrian stepped inside.
"Good evening, Young Master."
Adrian gave a slight nod before walking toward the dining hall.
The moment he entered, he felt it.
The familiar tension.
Victor Montenegro sat at the head of the long dining table, his posture as straight as ever.
The Chairman of Montenegro Corporation didn't bother looking up from the newspaper in his hands.
"You're late."
"I came as soon as I finished work."
Victor folded the newspaper neatly.
"Sit."
Adrian silently took his seat.
Before either of them could speak again...
The sound of high heels echoed across the marble floor.
Click.
Click.
Click.
A graceful woman entered the dining room wearing an elegant red satin dress that perfectly matched her confident aura. Her long dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, and every step she took radiated elegance and sophistication.
She stopped beside Adrian and offered him a gentle smile.
"It's been a long time."
Adrian slowly lifted his eyes.
His expression remained unreadable.
"...Chloe."
She smiled.
"I was wondering if you'd still recognize me."
"I remember people who waste my time."
For a brief moment, the smile on Chloe's lips faltered before she composed herself once more.
"So you're still cold."
Victor cleared his throat.
"Enough."
He looked at Adrian.
"Chloe has returned from London."
"I know."
"I invited her."
Adrian remained silent.
Victor continued.
"Our families have been business partners for over twenty years."
Adrian already knew where the conversation was heading.
"I'm not interested."
"You haven't even listened."
"I don't need to."
Victor's expression darkened.
"You will marry Chloe."
The room fell silent.
Even the servants standing nearby lowered their heads.
Chloe quietly watched Adrian's reaction.
"I said no."
"This isn't a request."
Victor's voice echoed across the dining room.
"It's your responsibility."
Adrian slowly stood.
"I built this company."
"I've doubled its value."
"I've done everything you've ever asked."
"But who I marry..."
He looked directly at his father.
"...is my decision."
Victor slammed his hand on the table.
"You are the future of this family!"
"And you're acting like a child over an old heartbreak."
Adrian's jaw tightened.
For the first time that evening...
Emotion flickered across his face.
"I won't repeat the same mistake."
Without another word, he turned and walked away.
"Adrian!"
Victor's voice followed him through the hallway.
He never looked back.
--------------
The next morning...
Montenegro Corporation buzzed with its usual energy.
Jenny leaned over Mia's desk with sparkling eyes.
"Guess what?"
"What now?"
"I heard the Chairman visited yesterday."
"So?"
"I also heard..."
She lowered her voice dramatically.
"...the CEO has a fiancée."
Mia nearly dropped her coffee.
"What?!"
"Who told you?"
"The legal department."
"They always know everything."
Within minutes...
The rumor spread across the office.
Sales.
Accounting.
Marketing.
Even Security.
Everyone was talking about it.
----------------
Meanwhile...
Sofia stepped out of the elevator carrying two cups of coffee.
She blinked.
"Why is everyone whispering?"
Jenny immediately ran toward her.
"Sofia!"
"Did you hear?"
"Hear what?"
"The CEO is getting married!"
Sofia laughed.
"Really?"
"I don't know."
"It's just a rumor."
"But everyone believes it."
Sofia simply shrugged.
"Well..."
"That's his personal life."
Mia stared at her.
"That's your reaction?"
"What else should I say?"
She smiled.
"If it's true, then I hope he's happy."
Neither Mia nor Jenny noticed the tall figure walking past them.
Adrian.
He had heard every single word.
Especially Sofia's last sentence.
"Ihope he's happy."
For reasons he couldn't explain...
Those words lingered in his mind.
-------------
Later that afternoon...
Ethan entered Adrian's office without knocking.
"So..."
"I heard your father finally made his move."
Adrian continued signing documents.
"I rejected it."
"You always do."
"This time he looks serious."
"I don't care."
Ethan sat across from him.
"What about Chloe?"
"I have nothing to say to her."
"You used to love her."
"I don't anymore."
Ethan studied his best friend.
He wanted to believe him.
But Adrian's eyes told a different story.
--------------
Around three in the afternoon...
Sofia was organizing several project files when Adrian stepped out of his office.
"Miss Reyes."
She immediately stood.
"Yes, sir?"
"I have a client dinner tonight."
"I need you to prepare the presentation."
"Of course."
"And you'll be accompanying me."
Sofia blinked.
"...Me?"
"Is there a problem?"
"N-No, sir."
"I've just never attended a business dinner before."
"You'll learn."
He turned to leave before adding,
"Be ready by seven."
The office instantly fell silent.
Mark slowly looked at Jenny.
"Did the CEO..."
"...just invite Miss Sofia to dinner?"
Jenny covered her mouth.
"This is the first time he's ever brought an assistant."
Mia looked between Adrian and Sofia.
A mischievous grin slowly appeared on her face.
"Oh..."
"This is going to be interesting."
---------
That evening...
Sofia stood in front of her bedroom mirror, wearing a simple white knee-length dress that Mia had insisted she borrow for the dinner. The dress was elegant without being flashy, with soft puff sleeves and a fitted waist that highlighted her graceful figure.
She nervously smoothed the fabric.
"I hope this isn't too formal..."
Her phone buzzed.
A message from Adrian.
I'm outside.
Sofia's eyes widened.
"He came to pick me up?"
She quickly grabbed her bag and hurried downstairs.
Waiting beside a sleek black luxury sedan was Adrian Montenegro, dressed in a charcoal-black suit that fit him perfectly.
As Sofia approached, Adrian looked up.
For the first time that evening...
He couldn't look away.
The white dress made her look effortlessly beautiful—simple, elegant, and radiant.
He stared for a second longer than he intended.
Sofia tilted her head.
"Sir?"
Adrian blinked, quickly looking away.
He cleared his throat.
"We're going to be late."
Without another word, he opened the passenger door for her.
A small smile appeared on Sofia's face as she stepped into the car.
Neither of them noticed the woman watching from across the street.
Inside a parked vehicle, Chloe lowered her sunglasses.
Her gaze remained fixed on the luxury sedan as it disappeared into the night.
A slow smile spread across her lips.
"So..."
She whispered.
"That's the girl."
She reached for her phone.
"I want everything you can find on Sofia Reyes."
"By tomorrow morning."
- Writer
