ENTANGLED HEARTS; THREADS OF DECEIT

CHAPTER FIVE

The hum of my laptop fills the silence as I sip my lukewarm coffee, trying to get back into the flow of my work. After the whirlwind of the meeting with the Mountain Co delegates, I had spent the past couple of days catching up on everything that had fallen by the wayside. I try to focus on the sketches scattered across my desk, but my mind keeps wandering back to that meeting—the tension, the surprise of seeing Mountain Co, and the nagging realization that Adrian would be involved.

As I scroll through my emails, my heart stutters when I see it: a message from Mountain Co. My fingers hover over the trackpad for a moment, a mix of dread and anticipation settling in my stomach. I take a deep breath before clicking it open.

Subject: Meeting Request

Dear Lia Donovan,

We hope this message finds you well.

Mountain Co. is impressed with your recent proposal and would like to discuss the potential partnership further. We believe an in-person meeting would be most productive.

Please let us know your availability for a meeting at The Grand Hotel next week. We look forward to your response.

Best regards,

Adrian Blake

Mountain Co.

I read the email again, feeling a rush of emotions. It’s so formal, yet I can hear his voice behind the words. Adrian Blake. The name alone sends a shiver down my spine. I can’t believe this is happening. After all these years of trying to put him and the past behind me, here I am, staring at an invitation to meet him at a hotel.

I try to swallow the knot in my throat, forcing myself to think rationally. This is business, I remind myself. Just business. But as I sit back in my chair, my thoughts spiral into a tangle of memories—good and bad. I remember how his laughter used to fill the spaces around us, how he made me feel seen in a world that often felt dark and unwelcoming. But I also remember the heartbreak, the betrayal, and the way I vowed to never let him back in again.

I glance at the framed picture of Chloe and me on my desk, her bright smile a reminder of the support I have in my corner. I wish she were here to help me process this. My phone buzzes, pulling me from my thoughts, and I see a message from her.

Chloe: “Hey! Any news? How did the meeting go?”

I bite my lip, contemplating how much to share. I type back quickly.

Lia: “It went well, but I just got an email from Mountain Co. They want to meet in person at The Grand Hotel.”

The dots appear, and within seconds, she replies.

Chloe: “Oh wow! That’s huge! When is it? You have to tell me everything!”

I sigh, my heart racing. I haven’t even replied to them yet.

Lia: “I don’t know yet. I’m still processing it all.”

As I sit there, staring at the email again, I realize that I have to respond. This is my chance to secure the investment that could make or break Luxe. But the thought of facing Adrian, of stepping into a room with him after all this time, fills me with a mixture of anxiety and a strange thrill I can’t quite place.

After a moment of hesitation, I start typing a reply.

Subject: Re: Meeting Request

Dear Adrian,

Thank you for reaching out. I appreciate the opportunity to discuss the proposal further. I am available for a meeting next week and can adjust my schedule to accommodate.

Please let me know your preferred time, and I will make the necessary arrangements.

Best,

Lia Donovan

With a click, I send the email and watch as it disappears into the digital ether, my heart pounding in my chest. The decision has been Made. I’m stepping back into his world, and there’s no turning back now.

As the minutes pass, I feel a mix of exhilaration and dread. What will it be like to see him again? Will it feel like old times, or will it be filled with the weight of everything that’s happened? I can’t help but wonder what Adrian’s motives are. Why now? Why this investment?

Suddenly, my phone buzzes again, and I see another message from Chloe.

Chloe: “You have to get your head in the game! This is big for Luxe! You’ve worked so hard for this. Don’t let anything hold you back!”

She’s right. I’ve fought too hard to let the past dictate my future. If Adrian Blake wants to invest in my company, then I need to approach this meeting with confidence and determination. I won’t let old wounds or unresolved feelings cloud my judgment.

But as the reality of the upcoming meeting settles in, I can’t shake the feeling that there’s more at play here than just business. Adrian has always been unpredictable. What if he’s looking for something beyond an investment?

I push those thoughts aside, knowing I need to stay focused. I pull up the presentation slides again, forcing myself to immerse in my work. But no matter how hard I try, I can’t escape the looming shadow of the meeting.

Time slips by, and I find myself staring blankly at the screen. My heart races as I replay the last time I saw Adrian in my mind. The hurt, the confusion—it all floods back. I had spent years rebuilding myself, only to be thrown back into this chaotic mix of emotions.

As evening descends, I finally decide to get ready for bed, but sleep is elusive. I toss and turn, each minute stretching into eternity. The thought of walking into that hotel, facing him after everything, feels like an impossible task.

Finally, as dawn breaks, I pull myself out of bed, adrenaline coursing through me. I check my email one last time, hoping for a response. When I see nothing, I feel a pang of disappointment, but I remind myself that I still have time.

On the day of the meeting, I dress meticulously, selecting one of my favorite pieces from Luxe. It’s a sleek, tailored dress that hugs my body just right, a reminder of my hard work and dedication. I want to feel confident, to present myself as a successful businesswoman, not the girl Adrian once knew.

As I head to The Grand Hotel, every step feels like a march to my own execution. The lobby is bustling, and I can feel the eyes of the hotel staff on me as I approach the reception desk. I check in and I'm directed to a private conference room on the second floor.

With each step, the weight of the moment presses down on me. I take a deep breath, adjusting my posture. I remind myself that I’m in control. This is my chance to show Adrian that I’ve moved on, that I’ve built something worthwhile.

When I arrive at the conference room, I find it empty. The sunlight streams through the large windows, casting a warm glow on the sleek furniture. I take a moment to gather my thoughts, glancing at my reflection in the glass. My face looks calm, but inside, a storm brews.

Minutes tick by, each second amplifying the tension. Just as I start to doubt myself, the door swings open, and there he is—Adrian Blake.

My breath catches in my throat. He looks the same yet different—older, more refined, with an air of confidence that feels almost overwhelming. Our eyes meet, and a whirlwind of emotions surges through me.

“Lia,” he says, his voice low and steady.

“Adrian,” I reply, trying to keep my tone neutral.

We stand there for a moment, the air thick with unspoken words and history. I can feel the weight of everything between us, the years of silence and the ache of unresolved feelings.

“Thank you for coming,” he says, stepping closer. “I know this is…unexpected.”

I nod, my heart racing. “I had to. This is important for Luxe.”

He nods, his gaze penetrating, as if he’s searching for something behind my façade. “I understand. Let’s talk.”

Just as I begin to lay out my proposal, the door swings open again. A woman steps in, her presence striking—a confident, poised figure with an enigmatic smile. She’s dressed in a tailored suit, exuding an aura of authority that instantly captures the room’s attention.

“Sorry to interrupt,” she says smoothly, her eyes flicking between Adrian and me. “I’m Sienna Moore.”

The moment hangs in the air, heavy with tension. The name hits me like a punch to the gut. Sienna. The woman who had torn our world apart. I feel my heart race and my palms grow clammy. My thoughts spiral out of control as I search Adrian’s face for any sign of his intentions.

“I work with Adrian,” Sienna continues, her voice calm, but I can see the glint of curiosity in her eyes as she sizes me up. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything important.”

Adrian shifts slightly in his seat, his expression a mixture of surprise and caution. The air thickens, and I can hardly breathe. My pulse pounds in my ears as I try to steady myself.

As Adrian opens his mouth to respond, I feel an overwhelming sense of dread wash over me. The stakes have just risen dramatically.

“Actually,” I say, my voice trembling slightly, “we were just about to discuss my proposal.”

Sienna’s gaze sharpens, and I sense a challenge in her eyes. “I’d love to hear that,” she replies, her tone deceptively sweet.

With Sienna in the room, everything has shifted. The carefully constructed walls I’d built around my emotions begin to crumble, and I wonder what this unexpected turn means for my proposal—and for my heart.