UNTIL YOU BECAME MINE

ANA'S POV The boardroom was annoyingly quiet. I was relieved when my board suggested merging with one of Ryan's companies. I thought it would save my company and make it even stronger. I had built Vantage Holdings from nothing, and it had been standing firm for years. Yet my board of directors kept suggesting that we merge with another powerful company to consolidate our position and expand our influence. “Miss. Ana, I'd suggest that we collaborate with a powerful company,” one of them said during one of our board meetings. “Why do you say so? Aren't we doing wonderfully well on our own?” I asked. They explained that a collaboration would be more beneficial in the long run. It would strengthen our existence in the market and open more opportunities for growth. After much persuasion, I finally agreed. When I got home, I thought about it. It was a good idea, but the problem was: who would I collaborate with? I brought the matter up again at the next board meeting, and they suggested Ashford Company. The name sounded prestigious and successful, so I agreed instantly, and we arranged a meeting with them. Lo and behold, on the day of the meeting, I had the shock of my life. I couldn't believe they had suggested I sink so low as to merge with Ryan. Ryan. The same Ryan who had made my college years unbearable. We had already started working on the agreement, and I had no idea he was the CEO of the proposed company. Now, back in the boardroom, both boards sat across from each other while Ryan and I faced one another. For a brief moment, time seemed to stop. Years had passed since I last saw him, yet the sight of him brought back memories I had buried long ago—arguments, rivalry, anger, and every reason I had sworn never to cross paths with him again. And now, fate had placed us at the same table. It all seemed like they knew about the enmity between Ryan and me because they never mentioned the CEO's name. They only described him as a young, ambitious CEO. But here we were, staring at each other. "Miss Ana, this is Mr. Ryan, the CEO of Ashford Company," one of the board members introduced. "Nice to meet you," I said in an uninterested tone. He simply nodded. The members of both boards began discussing the proposed collaboration. "Miss Ana, Ashford Company believes that merging with Vantage Holdings will strengthen both companies and create greater opportunities for growth," one of Ryan's board members said. "I understand the need to merge with another company," I began. "I know it would strengthen our business, but at this point..." I paused and studied the faces around the table. Every pair of eyes was fixed on me, waiting for my response. "I don't think I can merge with Ashford Company." The room fell silent. "What?" my board of directors exclaimed almost in unison. "Yes," I replied calmly. "Perhaps we should look for another company. There are many successful companies in this city." For the first time since I entered the room, Ryan looked directly at me. Not with admiration. But with disdain, as though I were nothing more than a piece of trash. "Ana," he said coldly, "who wants to merge with you?" "Your miserable company, of course," I shot back without hesitation. The members of both boards stared at us as though they had just witnessed two escaped psychiatric patients arguing in a boardroom. "Um... please, both of you should calm down," one of them said, trying to ease the tension. "The truth is this," one of Ryan's board members spoke up firmly. "Whether you accept it or not, both of your companies are going to merge." "Permit me to take my leave," I said, rising from my seat. Without waiting for anyone's response, I headed for the door. They called after me, urging me to stop, but I didn't turn back. A few seconds later, the members of my own board stood up and followed me out. I could never forget how Ryan had made me feel. Some memories refuse to stay buried. They find their way back to you when you least expect them. My mind drifted back to the day everything changed... The day my father died. Eight years ago. That morning, I sat beside his hospital bed...