CHAPTER2
1220 Words
NORA POV
My heart nearly stops.
“Why do I feel like I’ve seen you before?”
For one terrifying second, I think he remembers.
Everything flashes through my head at once.
That night. The hotel. Mai.
The life I’ve been trying to rebuild after walking away.
I force myself to breathe.
“You must have met a lot of people,” I say carefully.
His eyes stay on mine.
Too long. Too intense, like he’s searching for something.
Then, finally, he leans back in his chair.
“Maybe.”
Relief hits me so hard my knees almost give out.
Maybe he doesn’t remember after all.
Thank God.
He looks down at the file in front of him.
“You graduated top of your class.”
I nod.
“Yes.”
“Previous work experience?”
I answer each question as calmly as I can.
At least I try to.
The entire time, I can feel his gaze returning to me.
Watching me, making me nervous.
The interview should have lasted five minutes.
Instead, it stretches to almost fifteen minutes.
By the end of it, my palms are damp.
Davis closes the file.
“You start tomorrow.”
I blink. “That’s fast.”
A faint smile touches his mouth.
“We hired you because we need you.”
The smile disappears.
“You can see HR on your way out.”
I nod quickly.
“Thank you.”
I should leave. Instead, I hesitate for a second.
He notices. His eyes narrow slightly.
“Something else?”
“No.”
I shift the file against my side.
“Thank you for the opportunity.”
Then I turn and leave.
The moment the office door closes behind me, I release a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
I got the job. I should be happy.
Instead, dread settles in my chest.
Because now I have to see him every day.
By the time I get home, it’s already evening.
The tiny apartment is filled with laughter.
My favorite sound in the world.
Lucy is the first person to spot me.
My younger sister jumps up from the couch immediately.
“Well?”
I laugh. “Well what?”
“Don’t play with me.”
She points at me dramatically.
“Did you get the job?”
I shake my head.
“You’re impossible.”
Her eyes widen.
“You got it!”
I nod.
The scream she lets out could probably wake the neighbors.
Before I can stop her, she throws her arms around me.
“I knew it.”
My mother appears from the kitchen doorway.
“See?” she says with a smile. “I told her you’d get it.”
I smile back.
But something about it must look wrong. My mother’s smile slowly fades.
She knows me too well.
“What happened?”
“Nothing.”
“Nora.”
“I’m fine.”
She folds her arms.
I look away. Bad move.
My mother notices everything.
“Something happened.”
I force a laugh.
“Nothing happened. I’m just tired.”
“You’re lying.”
“Mum.”
“Tell me.”
I drop my bag on the couch.
“Traffic was terrible. That’s all.”
She still doesn’t look convinced.
But before she can continue…
“Mummy!”
A tiny body runs toward me.
I barely have time to bend before Mai throws her little arms around my legs.
My heart softens instantly.
“Hey, baby.”
She tilts her head.
“Why do you look sad?”
The question catches me off guard.
I force a smile. “I’m not sad, my love.”
“Then why are you making that face?”
Lucy bites back a laugh.
I shoot her a look.
“I’m just stressed.”
Another lie.
Mai studies me for another second before deciding she believes me.
“Okay.”
Then she runs off again.
My mother still looks suspicious.
“I’m serious, Nora…”
“Mum, don’t worry. I’m fine.”
For now, that’s enough.
Thankfully, she lets it go.
At least for the moment.
An hour later, I finally escape to my room.
I close the door behind me.
A few seconds later, there’s a knock.
I don’t even have to ask.
“Come in.”
Lucy pushes the door open.
The smile she wore earlier is gone.
She closes the door behind her and looks straight at me.
“What happened?”
I sigh.
“Lucy…”
“Nora.”
Her voice is calm, but firm.
“Stop lying to us.”
The words steal my last excuse.
I lower my eyes.
I can’t avoid it anymore.
“I saw him today.”
Her forehead creases.
“Who?”
I draw in a slow breath.
“Mai’s father.”
Silence.
She doesn’t say a word.
Lucy stares at me.
No.
No, no, no.
Please tell me I didn’t just say that out loud.
Then her eyes nearly pop out of her head.
“What?”
“At work.”
She blinks. Once. Twice.
Then she sits down. Hard.
“You found him.”
I shake my head.
“No.” My laugh comes out weak.
“He found me.”
Lucy frowns.
“He’s my new boss.”
For a moment, she just stares.
“For real?”
I nod.
The shock on her face is exactly how I felt this morning.
“What happened?”
“He doesn’t remember me.”
At least I don’t think he does.
Lucy runs both hands through her hair.
“This is bad.”
“I know.”
“What if he finds out?”
My stomach knots.
That’s the exact question I’ve been avoiding all day.
What if he finds out?
What if one look at Mai is enough?
Because every time I look at my daughter, I see pieces of him.
The same eyes, the same stubborn expression, the same calm stare.
The thought alone makes it hard to breathe.
Later that night, after Mai falls asleep, I sit alone in the living room.
The apartment is quiet.
My phone suddenly vibrates on the table.
Unknown number.
I frown.
Who could be calling me this late?
For a second, I consider ignoring it.
Instead, I answer.
“Hello?”
A few seconds of silence pass.
Then a familiar voice says…
“Ms. Edward.”
Every muscle in my body locks.
Davis Rowan.
No.
Please don’t let this be what I think it is.
My stomach twists.
Why is he calling me?
Did something happen?
Did they change their mind about the job?
Or worse…
Did he finally remember me?
“Sir?”
“I forgot to mention something earlier.”
I sit up straighter.
“Okay.”
“Orientation starts at eight tomorrow morning.”
I blink. That’s all?
“Don’t be late.”
The tension eases a little.
“Of course.”
A silence follows.
Long. Strange.
I pull the phone away slightly and glance at the screen.
The call is still connected.
He’s still there, waiting.
Then he speaks again.
“Ms. Edward.”
I hold the phone a little closer.
“Yes?”
Another pause.
And then…
“Have we met before?”
My breath catches.
The line goes quiet.
My mind goes blank.
- Writer
