Chapter 13
744 Words
Every person in the conference room seemed to be holding their breath.
Some executives exchanged curious glances while others openly stared between Alex and Asia, trying to figure out what exactly was happening.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
The question was written plainly across every face in the room.
How did they know each other?
Asia felt dozens of eyes on her.Slowly, she tightened her grip around the folder in her hands before lifting her gaze to meet Alex's.
His expression hadn't changed.
He was still looking at her as though the years between them had never happened.
As though she hadn't spent years wondering why he disappeared.
As though he hadn't left her standing alone with questions that never received answers.
Asia pushed those thoughts aside.
"Mr. Carter."Her voice was calm.
A few people in the room visibly relaxed, expecting the conversation to continue.
Instead, Asia simply inclined her head politely.
"It truly has been a while."
The disappointment that flashed across Alex's face lasted less than a second.
The chairman cleared his throat.
"Well," he said with an awkward chuckle, "it seems some of our guests are already acquainted."
A few people laughed politely just to ease the tension because nobody truly believed that explanation.
Not after the way those two had looked at each other.
Mr. Glanton smoothly redirected the meeting before anyone could ask any questions.
The discussion continued, but the atmosphere had changed.Every person in the room could feel it.
Asia returned to her seat and Rachel immediately leaned closer.
"Oh my God."
Asia kept her eyes forward.
"Rachel."
"Oh my God."
"Can you quiet down Racheal "
"That's Alex Carter."
"I can see that."
Rachel stared at her.
"You didn't tell me he looked like that."
Asia nearly rolled her eyes.
"Can we focus on the meeting?"
"I don’t think anyone is focused on this meeting anymore”.
"Rachel."
"Fine…I’ll try to focus”.Racheal responded very sluggishly.
“Thank you”Despite herself, Asia almost smiled.
The rest of the meeting passed in a blur,different investors and business partners moved forward to discuss.
Asia participated whenever necessary, but her concentration wasn't where it should have been.
Every now and then she could feel Alex watching her so intensely that it made her uncomfortable.
The worst part was that she found herself noticing things too.
The slight scar that disappeared beneath the collar of his shirt and the way people naturally deferred to him whenever he entered a discussion.
He wasn't the boy she remembered,years had changed both of them.
The meeting finally adjourned nearly two hours later,People began gathering their belongings.
Asia quietly packed her tablet into her bag.
She only had one objective and it was to Leave immediately.
Unfortunately, Rachel had already noticed Alex standing from his seat and judging by the direction he was moving, he had exactly the same idea.
Rachel's eyes widened.
"Oh no."
Asia looked up.
"What?"
"He's coming here."
Asia followed her gaze and Alex was already making his way across the room.
For a brief moment, their eyes met again.
Rachel immediately grabbed her arm.
"We need to go."
Asia blinked.
"What?"
"We need to go now."
"Rachel…"
"Trust me."
Without waiting for permission, Rachel pulled her toward the opposite exit.
Asia barely had time to protest before she found herself being dragged through a side doorway.
Behind them, conversations continued throughout the conference hall.
Neither woman stopped walking until they reached the elevator.
The elevator doors opened and Rachel shoved her inside.
"Rachel."
"What?"
"That was ridiculous."
"No, what would've been ridiculous is letting the two of you have your first conversation in front of forty executives."
Asia sighed.
Rachel crossed her arms.
"You can thank me later."
Both women let out deep breaths like they had run a marathon.
Meanwhile back at the conference room,Alex had just stopped where Asia had been standing moments earlier.
The space was empty.
His gaze swept across the room trying to find her but she was gone.
For several seconds, he remained silent.
Then one of his assistants approached carefully.
"Mr. Carter?"
Alex didn't take his eyes off the doorway.
"Who is handling personnel files for Glanton Industries?"
The assistant blinked.
"Sir?"
Alex finally turned.
"I asked a question."
The assistant immediately straightened.
"I'll find out."
Alex nodded once,then looked toward the closed exit again.
After years of searching,He had finally found Asia Richmore.
He wasn't losing her again.
- Writer
