Chapter 02
1256 Words
~FIVE YEARS LATER~
Damian's POV
I stood at the bungalow of my penthouse. Watching the city from above wasn't really my forte, but I needed it to fill the emptiness I felt inside.
I swirled the glass of champagne in my hand. No matter how I tried, I couldn't drink.
Five years.
It had been five years since I lost her. During those years, I searched throughout New York and even tried neighbouring states.
But there was no sign of Alessandra. It was like she had just disappeared into thin air.
Eventually, I gave up.
Instead, I distracted myself by burying myself in deals, acquisitions, and business warfare.
Before I knew it, I had built Sterling Enterprise into an untouchable empire. I crushed competitors and expanded it globally.
By all accounts, I won.
But at what cost?
I exhaled slowly and watched the city below me.
I had imagined I'd be ruling this empire with someone. Someone who would make it feel more than just a game of numbers and strategies.
But a light has its way of burning down when left in the dark for too long.
I set the glass down on the marble counter. I turned back and walked into the penthouse.
I walked around taking a look around. It was immaculate and a reflection of my life, luxurious, wealthy, and fully devoid of love and warmth.
My phone buzzed against the counter, breaking the silence. I glanced at the screen.
>Ethan: The gala starts tonight. Are you sure you want to go?I’ll be there.See you tonight<
By the time evening of the evening, I found myself in front of my mirror, adjusting the cuffs of my tuxedo.
The reflection staring back at me was the same man the world knew, ruthless, powerful, untouchable.
But beneath the polished exterior, I felt nervous and uneasy.
Ethan leaned against the doorway, watching me with a knowing smirk. "You sure you’re up for this?"
"It’s just another gala," I muttered, straightening my tie.
"Yeah? Then why do you look like you’ve got a ghost in your shoes?"
I ignored him, grabbed my phone, and slipped it into my pocket. "Let’s go.”
The drive to the venue was silent. Ethan kept on talking about me getting married. How he met some ladies and how good they'd be for me.
I barely heard anything he said. My mind kept circling around the message.
We got to the gala. Ethan and I exchanged a glance, preparing ourselves, putting on our shades.
When we stepped out, multiple cameras flashed, capturing the arrival of New York’s elite.
"Mr. Sterling." A smooth voice greeted me the moment I stepped inside.
Daniel Mercer, CEO of Mercer Holdings, extended a hand. "I was beginning to think you wouldn’t show. You have a habit of making an entrance on your own terms."
I shook his hand firmly. "I prefer to keep people guessing."
A chuckle rippled through the group surrounding him, investors, executives, even men who once saw me as competition but now sought alliances.
"Still running circles around us, I see," another voice cut in. Gerald Whitmore, an oil tycoon, raised his glass toward me. "Every time I think Sterling Enterprise has reached its peak, you prove me wrong.”
"That’s what makes it fun," I said smoothly, taking a glass of champagne from a passing waiter.
A few of them laughed, but there was an edge of truth in their admiration. I had built Sterling Enterprise into an empire. They respected me because they had no choice.
"We should talk soon," Mercer continued. "There’s a deal I think might interest you."
"I’ll have my team reach out," I replied, already losing interest.
"Of course. Enjoy your evening, Mr. Sterling."
I nodded and moved further into the ballroom.
I barely paid attention until I caught sight of a figure standing at the entrance.
My breath stalled.
It was impossible.
She stood there, poised, effortless, as though the past five years had never existed. A sleek black gown hugged her frame, her dark hair cascading over one shoulder.
But it couldn't be.
My grip tightened around the glass in my hand. My mind was playing tricks on me.
Alessandra was gone.
I had buried that truth and forced myself to accept it.
Yet here she was.
Or maybe… someone who looked like her.
I forced myself to exhale, rationalizing the impossible.
A resemblance, that’s all it was.
A cruel trick of fate.
Then she moved.
And when she did, our eyes met.
Everything inside me froze.
The way she looked at me, it wasn't the gaze of a stranger.
It was her.
For the first time in five years, my heart pounded.
It was Alessandra.
- Writer
