Face to Face
582 Words
Ariana stepped into the design studio on the 27th floor, her fingers tightly wrapped around a coffee cup she hadn’t even sipped. The room buzzed with soft chatter, clacking keyboards, and digital models spinning on large screens.
This was where she was supposed to feel excited—her dream career, her chance to prove herself.
But all she could feel was the weight of a secret growing quietly inside her.
“Miss Blake?” a voice called from across the room.
Ariana turned, plastering on her best professional smile. “Yes?”
A woman in a navy pantsuit approached her. “I’m Jenna, junior design lead. You’ll be working with my team on the Legacy Project. You’ll also attend weekly briefings with the executive board.”
Ariana’s smile faltered. “Executive board?”
“Yes, Mr. Carter oversees all high-level projects personally.”
Her stomach flipped.
Just great.
Later that afternoon, Ariana found herself in the glass conference room on the top floor of Carter Enterprises, standing among other interns, design leads, and department heads. She had told herself she could handle it. That she’d stay invisible. Get through the meeting and keep things professional.
Then the door opened.
Liam Carter walked in like the room belonged to him.
Tall. Sharp suit. That same calm confidence in his stride. Eyes like cold steel—until they locked on hers.
For a second, time froze.
His gaze lingered.
Recognition sparked in his eyes.
Ariana’s heart thudded against her ribs. Her breath caught, and she turned her face quickly, pretending to focus on the digital display screen. But she could feel his eyes on her.
He remembered.
She knew it.
The meeting went on, his voice smooth as he spoke about design goals, deadlines, and the future of the Carter Legacy Tower.
But Ariana couldn’t focus. She barely took notes. All she could think about was the night they shared, the life growing inside her, and the truth she wasn’t ready to face.
After the meeting, everyone started to leave. Ariana reached for her things, planning to escape unnoticed, when she heard his voice—low, commanding.
“Miss Blake. Stay.”
She froze.
Slowly, she turned.
The room had emptied. Only the two of them remained.
Liam stood at the head of the table, arms crossed, eyes unreadable. “We meet again.”
Ariana straightened her spine. “Mr. Carter.”
“I wasn’t sure if you remembered that night,” he said, his voice neutral.
“I do. Parts of it,” she replied quietly. “It was a mistake.”
“Was it?”
She hesitated. “I didn’t plan it.”
“Neither did I.” His eyes studied her face. “But I don’t believe in coincidences. Out of all companies, you ended up here. Why?”
Ariana narrowed her eyes. “Because I worked for it. I applied. I earned this.”
Liam’s jaw tightened. He stepped closer—close enough for her to catch his cologne. “Are you sure there’s nothing else you’re not telling me?”
Her breath hitched. She looked away. “No. Nothing.”
Lie.
Big, growing, undeniable lie.
As she left the room, her chest heaved. She needed time. She needed space. Most of all—she needed to figure out what to do next.
Because Liam Carter wasn’t just her boss now.
He was the father of her unborn child.
And one way or another, he was going to find out.
- Writer
