The CEO'S first love

The CEO first love Chapter 1 — The Unexpected Reunion Emma Carter had spent five years trying to forget Adrian Black. She thought she had succeeded. At least, that was what she told herself whenever his name appeared in an old memory. Tonight, however, everything changed. Emma stood in front of the enormous glass doors of Blackwood International, holding a folder tightly against her chest. She had come for a job interview, not knowing that the company belonged to the one man she had once loved more than anyone in the world. “Miss Carter?” Emma turned. A receptionist smiled at her. “Mr. Black is waiting for you upstairs.” Her heart stopped. “Mr. Black?” “Yes. The CEO personally requested to interview you.” Emma's fingers tightened around the folder. That couldn't be possible. Adrian had been her first love. Five years ago, they had been young and completely devoted to each other. They had promised to stay together forever. Then, one day, Adrian disappeared. No explanation. No goodbye. Nothing. Emma had spent months waiting for him until she finally accepted that he wasn't coming back. She took a slow breath. “Thank you.” The elevator doors opened, and Emma stepped inside. As the elevator climbed higher, memories flooded her mind. Adrian's smile. His warm hands. The night he had promised, “I'll never leave you.” Emma closed her eyes. “Don't think about him,” she whispered. The elevator reached the top floor. When the doors opened, she walked toward the CEO's office. The secretary stood and opened the door. “Mr. Black, Miss Carter is here.” A deep voice answered. “Let her in.” Emma stepped inside. The man standing beside the floor-to-ceiling window turned slowly. Her breath caught. It was him. Adrian Black. He looked completely different from the boy she remembered. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, and his expression was cold and unreadable. But his eyes were still the same. For several seconds, neither of them spoke. Then Adrian's gaze met hers. “Emma.” Hearing her name from his lips made her heart ache. She forced herself to remain calm. “Mr. Black.” A flicker of emotion crossed his face when she called him that. “Sit down.” Emma sat across from his desk. Adrian remained standing. “You applied for the assistant manager position.” “Yes.” “You have the qualifications.” “Thank you.” He stared at her for a moment. Then he asked quietly, “How have you been?” Emma froze. “That isn't part of the interview.” His jaw tightened. “You're right.” Silence filled the room. Emma stood up. “If there is nothing else, I'll leave.” “Wait.” She turned around. Adrian's expression had changed. For the first time, she saw something behind his cold eyes. Regret. “I didn't know you would come back,” he said. Emma looked at him sadly. “I didn't come back for you.” His eyes darkened. “Then why are you here?” She held his gaze. “Because I need a job.” Adrian slowly walked toward her. “You could have applied anywhere.” “I did.” “Then why here?” Emma hesitated. “Because I didn't know this was your company.” Adrian stopped in front of her. Five years had passed, but the distance between them suddenly felt much smaller. “I see,” he whispered. Emma turned toward the door. But before she could leave, Adrian spoke again. “Emma.” She stopped. “I never forgot you.” Her heart trembled. She didn't turn around. Because she was afraid that if she looked at him again, she would remember exactly why she had loved him in the first place.