WHAT YOU RUINED

CHAPTER 3

Three months had passed since everything had seemingly gone back to normal.

At least, that was what I kept telling myself.

Every morning, I would wake up, make myself a cup of coffee, fix my hair, and head to work as if nothing unusual had ever happened. The chaos of the past few weeks was slowly becoming a distant memory.

My life was finally back to its usual routine.

Work. Meetings. Reports. Deadlines.

Repeat.

“Max, are you done with the presentation?”

I turned toward my colleague.

“Almost. I just need to check the financial projections one more time.”

“Good. Because you’ll be representing us at the meeting later.”

I stopped typing and looked at her.

“Me?”

“Yes, you. The management specifically requested you.”

I let out a quiet sigh.

“Okay. Which company?”

“Arevallo’s Empire.”

My fingers immediately froze over my keyboard.

“Arevallo’s Empire?”

“Yeah. Why? Do you know them?”

I quickly shook my head.

“No. I mean… I’ve heard of them. Who hasn’t?”

Of course I knew them.

Everyone did.

Arevallo’s Empire was one of the biggest and most influential companies in the country. Their name alone was enough to make other businesses take them seriously.

And today, I was going there as my company’s representative.

A simple meeting.

A business discussion.

Nothing more.

At least, that was what I kept telling myself.

By three in the afternoon, I was already standing inside the lobby of Arevallo’s Empire.

The building was massive. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows, polished marble floors, elegant interiors, and employees who looked like they knew exactly what they were doing.

I adjusted my blazer and took a deep breath.

“Relax,” I whispered to myself.

This was just a meeting.

I had attended countless meetings before.

There was nothing to be nervous about.

“Ms. Max?”

I turned around and saw a woman approaching me.

“Yes?”

“The meeting will be held in the executive conference room. Please follow me.”

“Thank you.”

I followed her toward the elevator.

When the doors closed, I looked at my reflection.

Professional.

Confident.

Calm.

At least, that was what I wanted everyone else to see.

Business mode. Focus.

The elevator doors opened, and we walked down a quiet hallway before finally reaching the executive conference room.

Several people were already seated around the long table.

“Good afternoon.”

“Good afternoon, Ms. Max.”

I greeted everyone politely before taking my assigned seat.

I placed my folder on the table and checked my documents one last time.

Everything was ready.

My presentation was ready.

My numbers were ready.

My confidence—

Well, almost.

Then suddenly, the door opened.

Everyone in the room stood.

I instinctively looked toward the entrance.

And the moment I saw the man walking in, everything inside me seemed to freeze.

Tall.

Sharp features.

Perfectly styled dark hair.

Black suit.

Confident expression.

I stared at him.

There was something painfully familiar about him.

Something I hadn't seen in years.

My eyes widened.

No way.

The man walked toward the head of the table.

“Sorry for keeping everyone waiting.”

That voice.

My heart stopped.

I knew that voice.

Adrian?

Adrian Arevallo.

My long-time crush.

The same Adrian I had secretly admired since college.

The same Adrian I had spent years trying to forget.

The same Adrian I thought I would never see again.

And now—

He was standing right in front of me.

The CEO of Arevallo’s Empire.

My first instinct was to look down at my documents.

Please. Please don't recognize me.

“Let’s begin.”

His voice filled the room.

I swallowed hard.

This is a nightmare.

“Ms. Max?”

I slowly looked up.

Adrian was staring directly at me.

“Yes?”

“You’re the representative from—”

He suddenly stopped.

Our eyes met.

For a few seconds, neither of us said anything.

Then I saw his expression change.

“Max?”

My mind went completely blank.

Shit.

I forced a small smile.

“Hi, Adrian.”

The room suddenly became strangely quiet.

Adrian slowly leaned back in his chair, still looking at me.

“You’re here.”

“Apparently.”

I gave an awkward laugh.

“I mean… yes. I’m representing our company.”

His lips curved into a faint smile.

“I see.”

I quickly looked away.

Why is he smiling?

And more importantly—

Why does he still look this good?

I mentally slapped myself.

Focus, Max. This is a business meeting.

Adrian picked up the documents in front of him.

“Then let’s talk business.”

I nodded quickly.

“Right. Business.”

The meeting continued.

I did my best to remain professional. I presented our company’s proposal with confidence, answered every question, and explained every detail without hesitation.

But there was one problem.

Adrian was sitting directly across from me.

And every time I looked up from my presentation, I caught him staring at me.

Not casually.

Actually staring.

I tried to ignore it.

I really did.

But then our eyes met again.

I immediately looked down at my papers.

Don’t blush.

Don’t blush.

Don’t you dare blush.

“Ms. Max?”

I looked up.

“Yes?”

Adrian raised an eyebrow.

“You seem distracted.”

I blinked.

“I’m not.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course.”

A small smile appeared on his lips.

“Good.”

He leaned back in his chair.

“Because I’d hate to think I’m making you nervous.”

I nearly choked on air.

Excuse me?!

I forced myself to remain calm.

“I’m not nervous.”

“That’s good to hear.”

His smile grew slightly.

“Because I was beginning to think you were.”

I stared at him for a moment.

This man is still impossible.

Years ago, I liked Adrian because he was handsome, intelligent, and confident.

Now that I was older, I realized something.

Those qualities hadn’t disappeared.

If anything, they had only become more dangerous.

And unfortunately for me—

My feelings hadn’t disappeared either.

For years, I had convinced myself that my crush on Adrian was nothing more than a silly memory from my younger days.

Something I had already outgrown.

Something I had left behind.

But sitting across from him now, I finally had to admit the truth.

Some feelings don’t disappear.

They simply stay hidden, waiting for the right person to come back into your life.

And Adrian Arevallo had just walked straight back into mine.

Only this time, he wasn’t the boy I used to admire from afar.

He was my client’s CEO.

And somehow, that made everything much more complicated.