Chapter 5
1067 Words
Elena left after a long day.
“I’m glad Elena came… or I don’t think I would’ve been able to control myself,” Matilda whispered to herself.
She stepped out onto the balcony. The night breeze brushed against her skin, but she barely felt it. Her thoughts were louder than the silence around her.
Why did I let it happen?
The question kept repeating in her mind, growing heavier each time.
She closed her eyes, trying to steady her breathing, but her chest felt tight.
Eventually, she went back inside and prepared for bed.
She tried to act normal.
As if nothing had happened.
But her thoughts refused to let her be.
When morning came, her alarm rang at 7 a.m.
Another day.
The same routine.
But nothing felt the same anymore. She moved like she was only half present, her body following habit while her mind remained trapped in yesterday.
Matilda got out of bed slowly and prepared for work, her movements automatic, as though she were running on habit instead of energy.
Downstairs, the maid had already set the table.
“You’re late, Miss,” the maid said softly.
“I’m sorry… I’m running late,” Matilda replied quickly, grabbing her bag.
“You should eat something before you leave.”
“I can’t,” she said hesitantly.
The maid insisted on packing breakfast for her, and Matilda eventually agreed before leaving.
At work, she tried to focus on the documents in front of her, but her eyes would often stop on a line for too long without reading it.
Then she would realize she hadn't absorbed a single word.
Every time the office fell quiet, her thoughts drifted back.
Back to him.
Stop thinking about Bernard.
He's your past now.
It shouldn't matter anymore.
But her mind refused to obey.
Her chest tightened every time his face crossed her thoughts, as though her heart remembered what her mind was trying so hard to forget.
Far away, Bernard sat in his office, staring at a stack of documents he couldn't bring himself to sign.
His assistant had already reminded him twice about the 10 a.m. meeting, but he hadn't heard a word.
For the first time in years, work had lost its grip on him.
Because he couldn't stop thinking about her.
Why can't I stop thinking about her?
I hope she's okay… She left so angry.
Did I hurt her more than I realized?
If I ever see her again… I'll apologize properly.
A heavy, unfamiliar weight settled in his chest.
A knock came on the door.
“Come in,” Bernard said.
His assistant walked in.
“Sir, the meeting is starting now.”
“Alright,” he replied, standing up.
The meeting began.
Contracts. Partnerships. Numbers.
But Bernard's mind was elsewhere.
Every word spoken in the room passed through him without meaning.
His assistant noticed and leaned closer.
“Sir… are you okay? You seem distracted today.”
“I'm fine,” Bernard replied calmly. “Just thinking.”
But he wasn't fine.
Not even close.
Bernard stepped out of the meeting room, loosening his tie as he let out a quiet sigh.
The meeting had gone well. The contract had been signed, and everyone congratulated him on another successful deal.
Normally, a day like this would have left him feeling accomplished.
Today, it didn't feel that way.
His mind kept drifting back to Matilda.
He could still see the hurt in her eyes before she walked away. The memory weighed heavily on his heart.
He stopped by the window and looked out at the city.
Why can't I stop thinking about you?
He reached for his phone once again, knowing there would be no message, no name, and no way to contact her.
A faint smile crossed his lips.
“Looks like fate will have to do the rest.”
Later that day, Matilda met Elena for lunch.
As usual, Elena couldn't resist teasing her.
Elena leaned back in her chair, watching Matilda carefully as a small smile formed on her lips.
“You've been quiet since yesterday… don't tell me you're still thinking about him?”
Matilda paused mid-bite. Her fork hovered in the air before she slowly set it down.
“Can you stop?” she said, trying to sound firm, but her voice wasn't convincing.
Elena laughed softly.
“Relax, I'm just saying. I want to know what kind of man has you acting like this.”
Matilda looked away, clearly uncomfortable. She picked up her fork again, even though she wasn't really eating anymore.
“It's nothing,” she muttered.
A short silence followed before Elena sighed lightly.
Then her tone changed.
“By the way… your mom called.”
Matilda paused.
“She said she tried reaching you, but your phone wasn't going through.”
Matilda shrugged.
“Whatever.”
“She sounded really sorry,” Elena said gently. “She asked me to tell you to call her back.”
“I'll think about it,” Matilda replied flatly.
“She’s still your mother, Matilda.”
“She never asks if I'm okay,” Matilda said quietly, her voice tightening slightly. “It's always work… pressure… expectations.”
Elena didn't argue this time.
She simply listened.
After lunch, they returned to work.
Matilda buried herself in files and paperwork, trying to stay busy enough to avoid thinking.
By evening, exhaustion weighed her down.
She was the last to leave the office.
At home, she freshened up and went downstairs for dinner.
The television in the background played a business news report.
“…The CEO of Harrington Group, Bernard Williams, has announced a new partnership that is expected to create thousands of jobs…”
Matilda froze mid-motion.
The fork stopped halfway to her mouth.
Her eyes slowly lifted to the screen, as if her mind refused to process what she was seeing.
Bernard.
The camera showed him at a press conference—calm, powerful, untouchable.
Her heart skipped painfully.
The man she had spent the night with…
He wasn't just a stranger.
He was someone important.
A well-known businessman.
Matilda slowly placed her fork on the table.
She hadn't even realized she had stopped eating.
The room suddenly felt too quiet... too heavy.
Without saying a word, she stood up and walked upstairs, her mind still fixed on the image she had just seen.
Bernard Williams...
- Writer
