The CEO'S forgotten love

(Izzy's POV) The city skyline stretched endlessly before me, a glittering sea of possibility and chaos. New York. My fresh start. The air smelled different here, something electric with the scent of ambition. A mix of hot pretzels, exhaust fumes, and the distant whisper of opportunity. It was overwhelming and exhilarating all at once. I tightened my grip on the steering wheel, glancing in the rearview mirror. In the back seat, my daughter, Sophia, pressed her small hands against the window, her bright brown eyes filled with wonder. "Mommy! Look at all the lights!" she gasped, her curly brown hair bouncing as she turned to me. "It's like Christmas!" I forced a smile. "It sure is, sweetheart." She had no idea how much I needed this move, how much I needed to bury the past and start over. For three years, I built a safe life in Oregon, far away from painful memories, but safety wasn’t enough. I wanted more for Sophia. More than a quiet life, and more than just getting by. I wanted to build something of my own, and I would do that right here in New York. Our new apartment in Brooklyn was modest but warm, with soft golden light filtering through the curtains as I unlocked the door. "Home sweet home," I whispered, though the weight of reality pressed heavy on my chest. Sophia ran inside, twirling in the small living room. "Can I have my own room here too?" "Of course, baby." I ruffled her hair, pushing away the nagging doubt clawing at my gut. This was the right choice. It had to be. ***** The next morning, standing outside my bakery, Sweet Haven, I felt the magnitude of my dream pressing down on me. The sign above the door gleamed in the morning light, crisp and new, as if daring me to live up to it. Inside, the space smelled of fresh wood and lingering paint, the glass display cases waiting to be filled with confections that would make people smile. "Are we baking today, Mommy?" Sophia asked, tugging at my sleeve. I smiled down at her. "Absolutely." As I unlocked the door, the bell above jingled, the sound oddly comforting. It was real. My own place, my own dream. I traced my fingers over the countertop, picturing the future—customers laughing over coffee, the scent of vanilla and cinnamon filling the air, my hands kneading dough before sunrise. The thought was terrifying and thrilling at the same time. The front door swung open, and a familiar voice cut through my thoughts. "Need an extra pair of hands?" I turned, a grin spreading across my face. "Julian! You made it!" Julian, my best friend and self-proclaimed business mentor, strolled in, holding two cups of coffee. "I wasn't about to let you start this adventure alone. Besides, I need a reliable spot for my daily sugar fix." I laughed, accepting the coffee. "You just want free pastries." "Guilty as charged," he said with a wide grin. “Uncle Julian!” Sophia came running towards him “Hey bumblebee.” He said lifting her, making her giggle. “How's my favorite girl doing today?” He smiled. “I'm fine. Mommy said we could bake today.” Sophia said with excitement. “Will you join us?” “Of course, sugar. We're going to have so much fun!” “Yay” Sophia exclaimed, giving Julian a high five. I smiled watching them. Julian has been my best friend since high school, he's like the brother I never had. The one person besides my mom that I could confide in. My world shattered when my mom passed last year, I lost her to cancer. My dad was never in my life, he is what I like to call a “deadbeat father”. He abandoned my mom and I just to get married to a woman from a wealthy family..talk about a premium gold digger. Right now, I don't care about him or his whereabouts. I just want to build my business and raise my daughter right. The loud laughter of Julian brought me back to reality. He was still having his little chit chat with Sophia. I just shook my head and moved behind the counter. I need to start cleaning this place as soon as possible. "Seriously, Izzy, this place is amazing. You're going to kill it." Julian said sitting on a chair. I sighed, rubbing my forehead. "I hope so. I need this to work." "It will." Julian leaned forward, his expression serious. "You’re talented. People are going to love this place." I nodded, letting his words sink in. I need to believe it too. The rest of the morning was spent unpacking supplies, organizing shelves, and wiping down surfaces until everything gleamed. Sophia sat at one of the empty tables, doodling in her sketchbook, humming to herself. Julian leaned over my shoulder. "So, when’s the grand opening?" "A week from today," I said, nerves twisting in my stomach. "Then we better start spreading the word." ***** That night, after tucking Sophia into bed, I curled up on the couch, exhaustion weighing down my limbs. My laptop sat open beside me, emails filling my inbox—supplier confirmations, equipment orders, and one unfamiliar subject line that caught my eye. *Invitation: Callahan Grand Charity Gala.* I frowned, clicking it open. My name was on the guest list for a high-profile event at one of the most luxurious hotels in the city. "Julian!" I called, suspicion creeping into my voice. Julian, who had made himself at home in my armchair, grinned. "Ah, you got the email. You're welcome." "You signed me up for some fancy event without telling me?" "Consider it a business opportunity," he said, taking a sip of his tea. "Rich people, fancy desserts—exactly the kind of clientele you need." I groaned. "Julian..." "Nope. No backing out, you're going." I exhaled, shaking my head. "Fine. But if I trip in heels, it’s your fault." Julian smirked. "Don’t worry. If you fall, at least you’ll be falling into success." I rolled my eyes, but a small smile played on my lips. Maybe he was right. Maybe this was the chance I needed to get Sweet Haven on the map. Little did I know, it would also be the night I would come face to face with the past I have tried so hard to leave behind. (Alex’s POV) New York never sleeps. That’s what everyone says, and they’re right. It’s a city that thrives on movement, ambition, and the constant hum of life that never slows down. I used to love that about this place. Now, it just feels like noise. I stepped out of my penthouse onto the balcony, coffee in hand, watching the early morning sun bathe the city in golden light. The view from here was incredible—skyscrapers stretching endlessly, the streets below already bustling with life. But even with all this, something always felt…missing. I was in a car accident that took away my memories five years ago. Over time, I've been able to gain them back—at least most of them, but sometimes, I can't shake off the feeling that I'm still missing something important. My phone buzzed on the patio table. I glanced at the screen and sighed. Another message from my assistant, probably reminding me of today’s meetings. Work never stopped, and neither did my family’s expectations. "Mr. Callahan, your car is ready," James, my driver, announced from the doorway. I downed the last of my coffee and grabbed my suit jacket. "Let’s go." The ride to Callahan Enterprises was smooth, the car gliding through the busy streets. I stared out the window as we passed through Brooklyn, enjoying the view of the city. When I stepped into my office, my assistant, Claire, was already waiting with a tablet in hand. "Good morning, Mr. Callahan. Your first meeting is in twenty minutes, and the charity gala this weekend has been confirmed. You’ll be making the opening speech." I nodded. "Anything else?" "Yes. Your mother called. Twice. She wants to discuss your date arrangements with Victoria." I clenched my jaw. Of course, she did. My mother was always trying to set me up with any eligible single lady in Brooklyn. Victoria Belmont seems to be the most recent one. I sighed. "Tell her I’ll call back later," I muttered, rubbing my temple. I could already feel the impending headache. Claire hesitated. "Understood. Also, there’s a new bakery opening nearby. The board wants us to consider partnering with small businesses for PR purposes. Would you like to check it out?" A bakery? That was new. I almost dismissed it outright, but something about it piqued my curiosity. "Where is it?" "Brooklyn. Sweet Haven Bakery. It’s owned by a single mother who recently moved here. She seems talented." "I’ll think about it," I said, standing. "Prepare the files for the meeting." "Of course, sir." As Claire walked out, I sat back in my chair, staring at the city skyline through the floor-to-ceiling windows. My life was a carefully constructed empire, built on power, responsibility, and sacrifice. I took over as CEO of Callahan Enterprises after the death of my father months after my car accident. It's been four years since I became CEO and learning from scratch about a family business I grew up in was the hardest part. I was like an outsider in my own family business. I leaned back, closing my eyes for just a moment, enjoying the peace and quiet even though I knew it won't last too long before my attention will be needed again. Opening my eyes, I exhaled slowly and looked at the pile of paperwork on my desk. Well..these papers won't sort themselves out. Time to get to work.