Chapter 3 — The Memory Between Us
1337 Words
Chapter 3 — The Memory Between Us
The next morning, Lena arrived at Vale International fifteen minutes early.
She told herself it was because she wanted to make a good impression.
It had nothing to do with Adrian.
At least, that was what she kept repeating as she stepped out of the elevator.
The office was already busy. Assistants hurried between departments, phones rang, and employees moved with the confidence of people who knew exactly where they belonged.
Lena didn't.
Not yet.
She looked down at the folder in her hands and took a deep breath.
Six months.
She could do six months.
She could work with Adrian without allowing the past to interfere.
She could certainly ignore the way her heart reacted whenever he looked at her.
Probably.
“Good morning, Ms. Carter.”
Lena looked up.
A young assistant smiled at her.
“Mr. Vale asked me to take you to your office.”
“My office?”
“Yes.”
Lena followed her down the corridor.
When the assistant opened the door, Lena stopped.
The office was beautiful.
Large windows overlooked the city. A sleek desk stood near the center, with a comfortable chair and several shelves already filled with files.
“This is mine?”
The assistant nodded.
“Mr. Vale arranged everything yesterday.”
Lena stared at the room.
He had done all this overnight?
Before she could think about it too much, her phone rang.
It was her landlord.
She stepped outside to answer.
“Hello?”
The conversation lasted less than two minutes.
When she ended the call, relief washed over her.
Her salary advance had been approved.
She could finally settle the rent.
For the first time in weeks, she smiled.
“You look happy.”
Lena turned.
Adrian stood at the end of the hallway.
His suit was immaculate, his expression calm.
“You startled me.”
“I noticed.”
He walked toward her.
“Everything all right?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
He continued toward her office.
Lena followed.
“I didn't ask you to arrange all this.”
“I know.”
“Then why did you?”
Adrian glanced at her.
“Because you shouldn't have to struggle to do your job.”
“I can take care of myself.”
“I know.”
That answer made her pause.
Most people who offered help did it because they believed someone couldn't manage alone.
Adrian seemed different.
He helped without making her feel small.
Inside her office, she placed her folder on the desk.
Adrian remained near the door.
“There will be a meeting at ten.”
“With the board?”
“Yes.”
Lena's expression changed.
“Already?”
“You wanted to learn quickly.”
“I did.”
“Then you'll have to keep up.”
She smiled.
“I will.”
Adrian's gaze lingered on her for a moment.
Then he turned to leave.
“Adrian.”
He stopped.
“Thank you.”
He looked back.
“For what?”
“For giving me this opportunity.”
Something softened in his expression.
“You earned it.”
After he left, Lena sat down.
She opened the first file.
For the next two hours, she worked.
At ten, she entered the boardroom beside Adrian.
The room became noticeably quieter.
Several executives looked at her with curiosity.
One older man leaned back in his chair.
“She's the new coordinator?”
Adrian took his seat.
“Yes.”
The man looked at Lena.
“She's young.”
Lena kept her expression calm.
Before she could respond, Adrian spoke.
“She was hired because she's qualified.”
The man's eyebrows rose.
“I wasn't questioning your decision.”
“You sounded like you were.”
Silence.
Lena glanced at Adrian.
He didn't look at her, but she could tell he was protecting her.
The meeting continued.
Lena took notes, organized documents, and answered questions when necessary.
By the time the meeting ended, she had earned several approving looks.
Outside the boardroom, Adrian walked beside her.
“You handled yourself well.”
“Thank you.”
“You didn't let them intimidate you.”
“I was terrified.”
He smiled.
“I couldn't tell.”
“That was the point.”
He laughed softly.
Lena stopped walking.
She hadn't heard that laugh in eight years.
It was different from the cold smile he usually wore.
For a moment, she saw the young man from the rooftop again.
“You still laugh the same way,” she whispered.
Adrian stopped.
“What?”
Lena realized what she had said.
“Nothing.”
“No.”
He stepped closer.
“What did you say?”
She looked away.
“You laughed.”
“I've laughed before.”
“Not like that.”
His expression softened.
“You remember.”
Lena looked at him.
“Of course I remember.”
The hallway suddenly seemed too quiet.
Adrian's eyes remained on hers.
“I remember your laugh too.”
Lena's heart fluttered.
“You remember everything?”
“Everything that mattered.”
She didn't know how to respond.
A notification sounded from Adrian's phone.
He glanced at it.
His expression immediately changed.
“What happened?”
“Nothing.”
“Adrian.”
He looked at her.
“Go back to your office.”
“Why?”
“Because I need to handle something.”
His voice had become colder.
Lena watched him walk away.
Something was wrong.
She returned to her office, but she couldn't concentrate.
Twenty minutes later, a message appeared on her computer.
Unknown sender.
You shouldn't trust Adrian Vale.
Lena stared at the screen.
Another message appeared.
Ask him why he really found you.
Her heart began beating faster.
She immediately stood.
She found Adrian in his private office.
He was standing near the window, holding an envelope.
He turned when she entered.
“Lena?”
She held up her phone.
“Who is sending me these messages?”
Adrian's face became serious.
“Show me.”
She handed him the phone.
He read the messages.
His jaw tightened.
“Where did you get this?”
“Someone sent it to me.”
“When?”
“Just now.”
Adrian looked toward the door.
Then he locked it.
Lena's pulse quickened.
“What are you doing?”
“Making sure nobody interrupts us.”
He walked back toward her.
“There's something I should have told you yesterday.”
Lena stared at him.
“What?”
Adrian placed the envelope on his desk.
“This arrived this morning.”
She looked at it.
There was no name on the front.
Only one sentence.
She remembers more than you think.
Lena felt a chill.
“What does that mean?”
“I don't know.”
“You're lying.”
Adrian looked directly into her eyes.
“I wish I were.”
Lena stepped closer to the desk.
“Then tell me the truth.”
He remained silent.
“Adrian.”
His expression changed.
“I found something about the night we met.”
“What?”
“A photograph.”
He opened the envelope.
Inside was an old photograph.
Lena reached for it.
The moment she saw it, the color drained from her face.
It was a picture of her.
Eight years ago.
Standing beside Adrian.
But there was someone else in the background.
Someone she had never remembered seeing.
Adrian watched her reaction.
“You know that person.”
Lena stared at the photograph.
Her fingers trembled.
“No,” she whispered.
Then she looked again.
And suddenly, a forgotten memory began returning.
A voice.
A warning.
A name.
Her eyes widened.
“I've seen him before.”
Adrian stepped closer.
“Where?”
Lena looked up at him.
“At the night we met.”
Neither of them spoke.
The past had finally begun opening its door.
And whatever waited behind it was coming for both of them.
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