THE SECOND MEETING
CHAPTER 1
THE MAN I NEVER WANTED TO SEE AGAIN
Seven years.
Pitong taon.
That's how long I had convinced myself that Andrew James Patterson was nothing more than a painful chapter of my past.
A chapter I had already closed.
A chapter I had buried.
Or at least, that's what I thought.
"Ms. Merrils, we're almost ready for the guests."
I looked up from the tablet in my hand.
"Okay. Make sure the registration table has the updated guest list. And please double-check the VIP seats."
"Yes, ma'am."
I smiled politely before looking around the ballroom.
Everything was perfect.
The crystal chandeliers were glowing.
White roses decorated every table.
The enormous stage carried the Patterson Foundation logo.
Tonight was one of the biggest charity events of the year.
And unfortunately...
It was also the night I would see him again.
Andrew James Patterson.
The name alone made something inside my chest ache.
I hadn't heard his voice in seven years.
I hadn't seen his face.
I hadn't allowed myself to search for him online.
I had deliberately avoided every restaurant, university event, business gathering, and social circle that had anything to do with the Patterson family.
I had built a life without him.
A quiet one.
A peaceful one.
A life where I didn't have to remember what it felt like to love someone so deeply that losing him felt like losing a part of myself.
"Allysa?"
I blinked.
"Yes?"
"Are you okay?"
I smiled.
"I'm fine."
It was a lie.
But I had become very good at those.
Then I heard footsteps behind me.
Slow.
Confident.
Familiar.
My entire body went still.
I didn't know why.
I didn't need to turn around.
My heart already knew.
"Allysa."
My breath caught.
That voice.
That damned voice.
Seven years disappeared in a heartbeat.
I slowly turned.
And there he was.
Andrew James Patterson.
Older.
Broader.
Colder.
More intimidating.
He wore a perfectly fitted black tuxedo. His dark hair was slightly messy, as if he didn't care enough to fix it. His jaw was sharper than I remembered.
But his eyes...
Those eyes were exactly the same.
Dark.
Intense.
Dangerously familiar.
They stared directly into mine.
For several seconds, neither of us moved.
Then he said quietly,
"You're here."
I swallowed.
"I'm working."
His eyes traveled over my face.
"That's not what I meant."
I looked away.
"Then don't ask questions."
His jaw tightened.
"You haven't changed."
I laughed softly.
"You have."
"How?"
"You're more arrogant."
One corner of his mouth lifted.
"And you're still stubborn."
"I learned from the best."
His smile disappeared.
Silence settled between us.
There were a thousand things I wanted to say.
Why did you leave me?
Why didn't you fight for us?
Why did you believe them?
Why didn't you look for me?
But I said none of them.
Instead, I stepped backward.
"Excuse me. I have work."
I turned.
His voice stopped me.
"Allysa."
I closed my eyes.
"What?"
"I heard you were back in Manila."
I looked over my shoulder.
"I never left."
"Then why did I never see you?"
"Maybe because I didn't want you to."
His expression hardened.
"Still angry?"
I faced him.
"Wouldn't you be?"
He didn't answer.
Because he knew.
Seven years ago, Andrew Patterson had broken my heart.
And tonight...
he was standing in front of me as if seven years meant nothing.
