MIDNIGHT FLOWER

CHAPTER 8: HE FINALLY FOUND HER

As the door opened, a sophisticated, well-dressed woman appeared, her expression one of mild curiosity. Jenny froze, her heart skipping a beat. This was not what she expected. “I’m sorry, I think I knocked on the wrong unit.” She said instead of asking about the man she want to find out.

The woman raised an eyebrow but didn’t seem overly concerned. “It happens,” she said with a polite smile before closing the door.

Jenny turned on her heel and walked briskly back to the elevator, her mind racing. The confrontation she thought she wanted was more unsettling than she had anticipated. Who was that woman? And what did this mean about the man she was trying to find? As she stepped into the elevator and the doors began to close, she couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that she was getting involved in something far more complicated than she had imagined.

As she stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the ground floor, she exhaled deeply, hoping to put the strange night behind her. But just as the elevator doors began to close, the one next to it opened.

Shau stepped out, returning from a late meeting, his mind occupied with thoughts of work as he walks towards his unit. He swiped his keycard and pushed the door open, only to freeze in his tracks.

Veronica, his ex-fiancée, was sitting casually on the couch. She looked up from her phone, her eyes knew that he would be surprised.

“What the hell are you doing here, Veronica?” Shau’s voice was sharp, his irritation clear as he shut the door behind him.

“Nice to see you too, Shau,” Veronica replied coolly, standing up with an air of elegance.

Shau's jaw tightened as he dropped his keys on the counter. “We have nothing to talk about. You should leave.”

She tilted her head slightly, studying him with that calculating gaze. “Actually, we do. Your father—”

“Don’t,” Shau cut her off, his tone dangerously low. “Don’t bring him into this.”

Veronica’s expression hardened, and she crossed her arms, standing her ground. “He wants us to work things out, Shau. He thinks we can still fix this, that we should continue with our engagement.”

Shau felt a surge of anger flare up inside him. “You know damn well that’s not happening. We’re done, Veronica. I made that clear a long time ago.”

“Is that so?” Veronica’s voice was calm, almost mocking. “You really buried everything that happened between us?”

Shau scoffed, taking a step closer to her. “This was never about us. It was always about what the chairman wanted, about the company. There was never any real relationship here, Veronica, and you know it.”

Veronica’s gaze narrowed. “That may be true, but it doesn’t change the fact that we were supposed to build something together. Your father believes in us. He believes you’re just going through a phase, and you’ll come to your senses.”

He shook his head, exasperated. “This isn’t a phase, Veronica. This is me deciding that I’m not going to be a pawn in this situation. I am already doing my best for the company and to prove to the chairman that we will continue rising even without merging two families for business.”

Veronica stared at him for a long moment, then nodded slowly, her lips pressed into a thin line. “Fine. But this isn’t over. Your father won’t let this go so easily.”

She turned and walked out, leaving Shau alone in the quiet of his condominium. He stood there for a moment, trying to shake off the anger and frustration that churned inside him.

Office Break Room, The Next Day.

The break room was a quiet oasis amidst the daily grind, offering a brief escape for employees to recharge. Jenny and Kier sat on one of the plush couches, their coffee cups cradled in their hands as they chatted. The room was softly lit, giving it a cozy, intimate feel.

Kier leaned back, a playful smile tugging at his lips as he looked at Jenny. “You know, it’s high time you moved on from that ghost who’s been haunting you. You should have just accepted Vincent.”

Jenny’s heart skipped a beat, the mention of her ghost—Shau—bringing a mix of emotions to the surface. She forced a light laugh, trying to play it off. “Oh, I’m trying, believe me. But, not Vincent, okay?”

Kier's eyes sparkled with mischief as he leaned in closer. “Well, I’ve got just another solution for you. How about setting your sights on someone in the office? Someone like… the chairman’s son.”

Jenny nearly choked on her coffee, barely managing to keep her composure. The irony of the situation was almost too much. She already knew that the guy who had ghosted her and the chairman’s son were one and the same—Shau Zhang.

Trying to keep her voice steady, Jenny replied, “Kier, I don’t think that’s a good idea. Office romances are tricky, and besides, I’m not sure he’d be interested.”

Kier waved a hand dismissively, her grin widening. “Oh, please! He’d be lucky to have you. He’s got that whole tall and handsome vibe going on. Plus, from what I hear, he’s already making a name for himself in the company. Smart, successful, and single—what’s not to like? He is the version I want to be in the future.”

Jenny swallowed hard, her mind racing. If only Kier knew the truth. Every word her friend said only twisted the knife deeper, reminding her of the tangled mess she was in.

“I don’t know, Kier,” Jenny said, forcing a smile. “He might be out of my league. And besides, I’m not really in the market for a new… complication.”

He laughed, not picking up on Jenny’s unease. “Come on, Jen! You’ve been moping around ever since that jerk ghosted you. It’s time to get back out there, and who better to move on with than someone who’s got it all together?”

She nodded, her smile faltering just slightly. “Yeah, maybe. But I think I need more time to… process everything.”

“I get it, I do. But you deserve someone amazing, and who knows? Maybe the chairman’s son is just the distraction you need. You should also do your best and compete with the other employees to be his executive assistant! Mr. Duavis has been observing us for a qualified.”

Jenny suddenly cough, her thoughts in turmoil.

Kier finished his coffee first and got up to return to work. Jenny was left with mind buzzed with the irony of the situation. Kier, in her well-meaning way, was pushing Jenny towards the very person who had caused her so much confusion and pain. How could she possibly explain the truth—that the man who had ghosted her and the chairman’s son were one and the same—without turning her entire world upside down?

Shau’s Office

Shau sat behind his desk, his focus on the reports laid out before him. He was meticulously reviewing each one when a familiar name caught his eye—Jenny Gonzales. His heart skipped a beat as he stared at the name, his mind racing. Could it be the same Jenny he knew?

The coincidence was too much to ignore. Shau leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. He knew he had to find out. There was only one way to be sure, and that was to check for himself.

He stood up, straightening his suit jacket, and decided to pay a visit to the department that submitted the report. As he walked through the halls, he could feel the curious glances of employees following him. It wasn’t every day that the chairman’s son wandered into their departments.

When Shau arrived at Jenny’s department, the reaction was immediate. Employees greeted him with enthusiasm, some even looking a bit starstruck. The buzz of excitement in the room was palpable, but Shau’s mind was elsewhere. He scanned the room quickly, his eyes searching for the one person he was here to see. But Jenny was nowhere to be found.

Disappointment tugged at him, but he kept his expression neutral. The department head approached him, a polite smile on her face. “Mr. Zhang, is there anything we can assist you with today?”

Shau shook his head, managing a brief smile. “No, thank you. Just passing through.”

The department head nodded and stepped back, sensing that Shau wasn’t there for business. With one last look around, Shau turned and walked out, heading toward the break room. If Jenny wasn’t at her desk, maybe she had stepped out for a break.

At that moment, as Jenny turned to leave, her eyes caught sight of a figure entering the break room. It was Shau, looking sharp in a tailored suit, his presence commanding the space as he moved with an air of confidence.

Jenny froze, her heart nearly stopping as she saw him. Her mind raced with confusion—what was he doing here? She hadn’t expected to see him nor expected him to come in the break room. What should she do now?

She quickly ducked behind a tall shelving unit, her breath catching in her throat.

As Shau entered the break room, the scent of freshly brewed coffee greeted him. He glanced around, but the room seemed empty. Letting out a quiet sigh, he moved to the coffee machine, deciding to make himself a cup. The quiet hum of the machine was the only sound in the room as Shau stood there, deep in thought.

As Shau’s back was turned to her, Jenny peeked around the cabinet, her breath caught in her throat. Seeing him there, so close, yet completely unaware of her presence, sent a wave of conflicting emotions through her. Part of her wanted to reveal herself, to confront him after everything that had happened. But the other part—the stronger part—urged her to stay hidden, to avoid the complications that would surely follow if he discovered her working in his family’s company.

Shau stirred his coffee absentmindedly, his mind still on the name he had seen on the report. Jenny Gonzales. If it was really her, where was she? Why hadn’t she shown up?

With a final sip of his coffee, Shau decided it was time to head back. He took one last look around the break room before leaving, the door closing softly behind him.

Jenny let out the breath she had been holding, relief washing over her as the sound of his footsteps faded away. But even as she stood there, safe for now, she couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that it was only a matter of time before Shau discovered the truth.

After his initial visit to Jenny’s department, Shau couldn’t shake the feeling that he was close—too close to give up. He had to confirm if the Jenny Gonzales in the reports was indeed the woman who had haunted his thoughts for weeks. Determined, he waited for the perfect moment, biding his time until the department was a bit quieter and less populated.

A few hours later, Shau made his move. He returned to the department, moving with purpose but remaining discreet. As he approached, he kept a careful distance, positioning himself where he could observe without being seen. His eyes scanned the room, and then—there she was.

His baby.

His heart skipped a beat as he watched her, a wave of unexpected happiness washing over him.

It really is her.

He step forward to finally meet her again.

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