Chapter 2
1309 Words
It was finally time for Matilda to head home and get ready for the business event she had been invited to.
In truth, she didn’t have the energy for another social gathering. She was exhausted after spending the entire day at work, but she knew she had no choice.
The ride home was quiet, yet strangely comforting. There was no awkward silence—just the gentle hum of the car engine as the city lights danced across the tinted windows.
Lost in thought, Matilda rolled the window down.
A cool evening breeze swept through her long hair, carrying away some of the day’s exhaustion. She closed her eyes for a brief moment and allowed herself to enjoy the peaceful silence.
For a second, everything felt lighter.
By the time she arrived home, the heaviness in her chest had eased slightly.
She slipped off her heels near the staircase, wincing as the day’s exhaustion settled into her bones.
The house was unusually quiet.
Her parents were away on another business trip again. It wasn’t unusual—they were rarely home. Still, no matter how used she was to it, the silence always felt a little too loud.
She made her way upstairs and entered her bedroom.
The soft glow of the chandelier reflected against the marble walls as she carefully removed her diamond earrings and necklace, placing each piece neatly on the dressing table.
Just then, her phone vibrated.
Elena.
A small smile appeared on Matilda’s face as she answered.
“Hi, Elena.”
“Please tell me you’ve already picked an outfit for tomorrow’s event,” Elena said immediately, skipping greetings.
Matilda laughed softly.
“I’m about to.”
“So what are the options?”
“I have a brown dress, a short blue floral dress, and a few others.”
There was a short pause.
“Hmmm… wear the brown one,” Elena said confidently. “It suits you better. Trust me.”
Matilda smiled faintly.
“You didn’t even hesitate.”
“I don’t need to. That dress was made for you.”
Matilda chuckled. “You’re too dramatic.”
“And you’re still going to wear it.”
“I guess I don’t have a choice.”
Elena hesitated for a second before speaking again.
“By the way… it’s going to be a big one tomorrow.”
Matilda raised a brow, even though Elena couldn’t see her.
“Meaning?”
“Most of the investors attending are from the Harrington Group.”
Matilda paused slightly.
“Harrington Group?”
“Yes.”
She nodded slowly, more to herself than anyone else.
“I’ve heard of them… very private, very powerful.”
“Exactly,” Elena replied.
Then, casually, she added:
“Their CEO’s son will also be present.”
Matilda stopped for a second.
“Oh?”
Elena hummed. “Just thought you should know.”
Matilda leaned back on her chair.
“I don’t care who shows up. I’m only there for business.”
But for some reason, Elena didn’t respond immediately this time.
Instead, she only said quietly,
“We’ll see.”
Matilda frowned slightly.
“We’ll see what?”
“Nothing,” Elena replied with a small laugh. “Just forget it.”
But her tone lingered… like she knew something Matilda didn’t.
The call ended shortly after.
Matilda sat still for a moment, staring at her phone.
Harrington Group.
She had heard the name before, but never cared enough to look deeper.
Still… for some reason, it stayed in her mind longer than it should have.
The next morning, Matilda woke up much later than usual.
Since she wasn’t going to work, she allowed herself to rest properly for once.
She stared at the ceiling for a few seconds before getting up and heading into the bathroom.
The water felt refreshing, washing away the remaining heaviness from her body.
Breakfast was already served when she came out.
She sat down while scrolling through a few emails on her phone, still half-distracted.
Nothing unusual.
Just work. Just life.
A few hours later, her stylist arrived.
The brown dress was carefully fitted, adjusted, and styled until everything looked perfect. Every detail—her hair, her makeup, her accessories—was done with quiet precision.
When everything was finally ready, Matilda stood in front of the mirror.
She barely recognized herself.
Elegant. Calm. Controlled.
Perfect… as always.
Yet something about today felt slightly different.
She couldn’t explain it.
Before leaving, her stylist smiled.
“You look stunning, Miss Matilda.”
Matilda gave a small nod. “Thank you.”
But as she stepped into the car, that strange feeling stayed with her.
Like the day was holding something back.
Something she couldn’t see yet.
The venue was breathtaking.
Crystal chandeliers lit up the grand ballroom, casting a golden glow over elegantly dressed guests. Soft classical music filled the air as conversations blended into a steady hum of business and wealth.
Matilda entered gracefully.
Heads turned slightly—as they always did.
She greeted a few familiar business partners before accepting a glass of fruit punch.
Everything felt normal.
Too normal.
“Miss Matilda, the Harrington Group representatives are already inside,” a staff member informed her politely.
She nodded.
“Thank you.”
She didn’t think much of it.
Not yet.
She turned slightly, scanning the room.
That was when she felt it.
A presence.
Not loud. Not obvious.
But… noticeable.
She didn’t understand why her attention shifted in that direction.
And then she saw him.
For a brief moment, everything around her seemed to slow.
A man stood a few steps away—tall, composed, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit.
There was something about the way he carried himself… quiet confidence, like he didn’t need to prove anything.
His gaze met hers.
And held.
Just for a second too long.
Matilda quickly looked away.
Pull yourself together.
He’s just a man.
A very attractive one.
“Good evening.”
The voice came calmly from behind her thoughts.
She turned slightly.
“I’m Bernard.”
Something in his tone was steady… almost too calm.
Matilda gave a small polite smile.
“I’m Matilda.”
His lips curved slightly.
“That’s a beautiful name.”
“Thank you.”
A pause.
Then she added softly,
“I think Bernard suits you too.”
A faint chuckle escaped him.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“It is.”
And just like that, the conversation began.
Natural. Easy. Unforced.
No pressure. No awkwardness.
Just flow.
As they talked, Matilda found herself forgetting, even if briefly, that she was at a business event.
“So what do you do?” Bernard asked.
“I work at my father’s company.”
“Hmm… I’ve heard of it. Very respected.”
She nodded. “I’m still learning.”
“And what about you?”
He took a slow sip of his drink.
“I manage a few businesses.”
“Only a few?” she asked lightly.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
“I prefer to keep things private.”
Matilda narrowed her eyes playfully.
“So you’re mysterious?”
“I prefer ‘selective.’”
She laughed softly.
They talked longer than she expected.
Travel. Work. Childhood. Quiet things people usually didn’t share so easily.
And strangely… it didn’t feel forced.
It felt easy.
Too easy.
At some point, Bernard glanced at her glass.
“Would you like to join me for a drink?”
Matilda hesitated.
Just for a second.
The logical part of her said no.
But something else—quieter, unfamiliar—said yes.
She smiled softly.
“One drink won’t hurt.”
And in that moment, neither of them knew…
that this simple conversation was the beginning of something neither of them would be able to ignore.
- Writer
