MIDNIGHT FLOWER

CHAPTER 3: SEEING HIM AGAIN

As Shau exited the conference room, he turned the corner at the same moment Jenny was about to enter the hallway from the opposite direction. For a split second, they were on a collision course, both oblivious to the other’s presence.

Jenny glanced up just in time to see a tall figure moving quickly toward her. She instinctively sidestepped, narrowly avoiding bumping into him, the files in her arms wobbling precariously but staying intact.

Shau, equally unaware, continued walking without slowing down, his attention already shifted to the phone call he was about to make. He passed by Jenny so closely that she caught a whiff of his cologne, a familiar scent that momentarily tugged at something in the back of her mind.

Shau?

Jenny blinked, the scent lingering in her nostrils as she continued on her way. There was a fleeting sense of déjà vu, but she quickly dismissed it, focusing instead on getting back to her desk.

As she rounded the corner, she heard the distant click of a door closing behind her. Shau had entered his office, unaware that he had just narrowly missed crossing paths with the woman he once knew so well.

The moment passed, unnoticed by either of them. Jenny returned to her desk, setting down the files and taking a deep breath, trying to refocus her thoughts. She had no idea how close she had come to encountering Shau again, and how different that meeting could have been.

Shau’s Temporary Office

Shau sat down at the desk, flipping through the documents in front of him. His phone buzzed with a reminder of his next appointment, pulling his attention away from the fleeting thoughts in his mind. He was focused on the task at hand.

He leaned back in his chair and got to work, completely unaware of how close he had been to seeing Jenny again.

Jenny’s Desk, Early Afternoon

Jenny settled back into her chair, the files she had brought from the meeting neatly stacked on her desk. She took a moment to compose herself before diving into the paperwork, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she typed up notes and organized her thoughts.

But that faint scent of cologne she had caught in the hallway lingered in the back of her mind. Shaking her head, Jenny dismissed the thought and forced herself to focus on her work. There was no time for distractions—especially not now, when she was trying so hard to move on.

Across the office, her colleagues were still buzzing with talk of the chairman’s son. Jenny could hear snippets of their conversation, but she tuned it out, determined not to get caught up in the gossip. She had enough on her plate without adding more drama to her life.

As she worked, her phone buzzed on her desk. It was a text from Ashley.

“Hey, just checking in! How’s your first full day back at work?”

Jenny smiled at the message, grateful for Ashley's constant support.

“It’s going okay. Busy, but it’s nice to be back in the routine.”

“Glad to hear it! Remember to take it easy, though. And let me know if you want to grab dinner later.”

“Definitely. I could use a break by the end of the day.”

With a reassuring smile, Jenny set her phone aside and returned to her work, the familiar rhythm of her tasks helping to push any lingering thoughts of Shau to the back of her mind.

Shau’s Temporary Office, Late Afternoon

The day had been long and filled with meetings, but Shau thrived in the busy environment. He was methodical and efficient, going through the documents on his desk with practiced ease. He had a reputation to uphold, and he intended to make a strong impression during his time at the company.

As he reviewed the final report of the day, there was a knock on his door. Mr. Duavis, one of the department head, peeked in, a polite smile on his face.

“Mr. Zhang,” he began, his tone respectful, “I just wanted to remind you about the executive meeting tomorrow morning. If there’s anything you need in preparation, just let me know.”

Shau nodded, offering him a brief smile. “Thank you. I believe I’m all set, but I appreciate the reminder.”

He hesitated for a moment, clearly curious but too professional to pry. “If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to ask. We’re all very excited to have you here.”

With that, he closed the door, leaving Shau alone again. He leaned back in his chair, the day’s events running through his mind.

Dismissing the thought, Shau focused on the tasks ahead. Tomorrow’s meeting is important, and he needs to make sure everything is in order.

The Office Lobby, End of the Day

As the workday came to a close, employees began filing out of the office, eager to head home and unwind. Jenny was among them, her bag slung over her shoulder as she made her way to the elevator.

She stepped inside just as the doors were closing, narrowly avoiding bumping into someone else who was also rushing to catch the elevator. It wasn’t until she was inside that she realized she had just brushed past Shau, who was waiting for the next elevator with a few other executives.

Jenny’s heart gave a strange flutter, but she quickly pushed it aside. She was too tired to dwell on fleeting hallucinations or old memories. All she wanted is to get home, have dinner with her niece, and relax.

As the elevator descended, Shau glanced at his watch, noting the time. He had a few more things to wrap up before he could leave, and he wanted to make sure everything is perfect for tomorrow.

The elevator doors opened, and Shau stepped inside, his mind already focused on the next day. As the doors closed, he couldn’t help but feel like he had missed something—or someone—important.

But just like earlier in the day, the moment passed, and Shau went about his business, unaware of how close he had come to reconnecting with Jenny.

Outside the Office Building, Early Evening

Jenny walked out of the building, the cool evening air brushing against her skin. She took a deep breath, letting the fresh air clear her mind. Ashley is waiting for her just across the street, waving with a bright smile.

“Hey, you made it!” Ashley called out as Jenny crossed the street to meet her.

“Barely,” Jenny laughed, feeling lighter now that the workday was behind her. “I’m so ready for some good food and a break from everything.”

Ashley linked her arm with Jenny’s, leading her toward a nearby restaurant. “Then let’s go. Tonight is all about relaxation—and no more thinking about work, okay?”

Jenny nodded, grateful for Ashley’s insistence. As they walked away from the office, she felt the day’s tension begin to melt away. Little did she know that just moments after she left, Shau is stepping out of the building as well, his thoughts still wrapped up in his work and completely unaware of how close he had been to seeing her again.

Upscale Restaurant, Early Evening

The restaurant was a stylish, modern establishment with a chic ambiance. Jenny and Ashley entered, greeted by the warm glow of chandeliers and the soft hum of conversation. The smell of gourmet food wafted through the air, making Jenny's stomach rumble in anticipation.

“We should get a table by the window,” Ashley suggested, leading Jenny to a cozy spot with a view of the city streets below.

As they settled into their seats, a waiter promptly approached to take their drink orders. Jenny felt the stress of the day gradually dissolve as she scanned the menu, her eyes lingering on the comforting options.

Meanwhile, across the room, Shau had just arrived with a small group of executives from his meeting. The restaurant was one of the top choices for business dinners, and it offered the perfect atmosphere for discussing important matters over a meal.

Shau and his colleagues were shown to a large, private table at the far end of the dining area. They were seated in high-backed chairs, surrounded by a refined, intimate setting designed for serious discussions.

As they settled in, the waiter began to take their orders. Shau reviewed the menu briefly before turning his attention to the conversation at hand, discussing upcoming projects and strategies with his team.

Jenny and Ashley's Table

Jenny and Ashley chatted animatedly as they waited for their food. The conversation was light and filled with laughter, a welcome distraction from the office and Jenny’s recent troubles.

“Honestly, I didn’t realize how much I needed this,” Jenny said, taking a sip of her wine. “It’s nice to just unwind and not think about work for a while.”

Ashley smiled, clearly pleased to see her aunt relaxing. “Same here. And don’t worry—no work talk tonight. Just good food and fun.”

They continue to enjoy their evening, unaware of the significant presence on the other side of the restaurant. As they finished their appetizers and moved on to their main courses, Shau’s table was a buzz of activity, filled with discussions about market trends and business plans.

The Restaurant’s Bar Area

After some time, Jenny excused herself to use the restroom. As she walked through the restaurant, she caught sight of the bustling bar area. She was absorbed in her thoughts, admiring the stylish decor and thinking about how nice it was to be out with Ashley.

As she turned the corner, she accidentally bumped into a passing waiter, causing a slight commotion. She quickly apologize, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

Shau, who was standing near the bar waiting for a refill, glanced up and caught a brief glimpse of Jenny. For a split second, their eyes met before Shau’s gaze shifted away, distracted by his conversation with a colleague.

Jenny didn’t recognize him and continued on her way, unaware of who she had nearly encountered. Shau, too, was preoccupied with the ongoing discussion and did not dwell on the fleeting moment.

Back at the Table

Returning to her seat, Jenny resumed her conversation with Ash. They were halfway through their main courses, and the restaurant’s ambiance had started to feel more relaxed and enjoyable.

As they chatted, Ash's phone buzzed with a new message. She glanced at it and then looked up with a thoughtful expression.

“Oh. I just got a notification that there’s a networking event happening nearby. Apparently, it’s a big deal tonight.”

Jenny raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Really? I hadn’t heard about it. It may probably my scene as well tonight.”

Ashley nodded in agreement, enjoying their evening. “I’m with you. Tonight is about unwinding and catching up.”

Unbeknownst to them, Shau’s dinner meeting eventually wrapped up, and he prepared to leave the restaurant. As he passed through the dining area, he glanced around, briefly catching sight of Jenny and Ashley again. There was a fleeting recognition in his eyes, but it was too late—he was already on his way out.

Jenny and Ashley continued their evening, savoring the last of their meal and enjoying the lively atmosphere. They were completely unaware that Shau had just walked past them, the night carrying on with its moments of near coincidence and missed connections.

Networking Event, Late Evening

After finishing their dinner, Jenny and Ashley decided to check out the networking event that Ashley had mentioned. They arrived at the venue, a stylish loft space with elegant decor and a lively crowd of professionals mingling and networking.

The event was buzzing with energy, with people exchanging business cards, engaging in conversations, and enjoying drinks and hors d'oeuvres. They blended into the crowd, excited to experience the vibrant atmosphere.

Jenny felt a sense of rejuvenation as she engaged with various people, enjoying the lively conversations and the opportunity to meet new people. The event was exactly the kind of distraction she needed after a long day.

As they moved through the crowd, Jenny’s attention was drawn to a familiar figure standing by the bar. She squinted through the sea of people, her heart skipping a beat when she realized who it was.

She blink for a couple times to make sure she's not hallucinating again. But the familiar figure didn't vanished infront of her eyes.

It was Shau. The very Shau!

She took one step forward but also hesitating. Goodness! How she really miss him! How she miss his figure, his voice, his touch and everything. Suddenly, she wanted to be in his arms again.

He was in a conversation with a small group of professionals, his posture relaxed and his demeanor confident.

She stopped stepping forward. No. She wasn’t ready for this. Not now that she is starting to move on, that she is starting to accept that they will never be. Not now that she is starting to live her life again.

Although she felt a pang of anxiety, she found herself stepping towards him.

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