Chapter 11: A Reason to Stay Close
621 Words
Monday morning arrived with unusual tension.
Emma stared at the email on her screen for what felt like the hundredth time.
From: CEO's Office
Subject: Project Phoenix – Financial Lead Appointment
She closed her eyes.
"No..."
Lily glanced over her cubicle.
"Bad news?"
Emma forced a smile.
"I've been assigned to Project Phoenix."
Lily gasped.
"What? That's amazing!"
"It means you'll be working directly with the CEO!"
Emma wished she could share the excitement.
Instead, her stomach tightened.
"This is exactly what I didn't want."
On the top floor...
Daniel placed a folder on Adrian's desk.
"I've started looking into Ms. Carter's background."
Adrian looked up.
"And?"
Daniel sighed.
"Someone covered her tracks very well."
"No employment records."
"No hospital records."
"Very little from the past four years."
Adrian frowned.
"That's impossible."
"It should be."
Daniel hesitated.
"But it isn't."
Silence filled the office.
Finally, Adrian spoke.
"Keep looking."
"Yes, sir."
As Daniel turned to leave, Adrian added,
"And don't let anyone know."
"I understand."
An hour later...
Emma stood outside the CEO's office.
She took a deep breath before knocking.
"Come in."
Adrian didn't look up immediately.
He was reviewing a stack of documents.
"Take a seat."
Emma remained standing.
"You want to see me, Mr. Blackwood?"
He finally lifted his eyes.
"I assume you've read the email."
"Yes."
"I'd like to decline."
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"So quickly?"
"I believe there are more qualified people."
He leaned back in his chair.
"I disagree."
Emma stayed silent.
"I reviewed the financial reports from the last six months."
"You found discrepancies no one else noticed."
"You reduced unnecessary expenses."
"And your forecasts were the most accurate."
He paused.
"I don't choose people based on favoritism."
"I choose results."
Emma didn't know what to say.
Part of her felt... proud.
The other part wanted to run.
"I can't accept."
Adrian studied her face.
"Why?"
She searched for an excuse.
"My current workload is already full."
"I'll assign someone to assist you."
"I..."
"My schedule."
"I'll adjust it."
Emma bit her lip.
Every reason she offered...
He solved it within seconds.
Finally, Adrian asked quietly,
"Is the project the problem..."
"...or is it me?"
The room fell silent.
Emma's heart pounded.
She looked away.
"It isn't personal."
A faint smile crossed Adrian's face.
"I'm glad to hear that."
He slid the project file across the desk.
"Then I'll see you at tomorrow's meeting."
Emma looked at the folder.
She didn't touch it.
"I haven't accepted."
Adrian's expression remained calm.
"This wasn't a request."
"It was an assignment."
Emma let out a slow sigh.
"Understood, Mr. Blackwood."
That afternoon...
Emma walked back to the finance department carrying the project folder.
Lily immediately noticed.
"Wait..."
"Is that Project Phoenix?"
Emma nodded.
Lily squealed.
"Congratulations!"
"People have been hoping to join that project for months!"
Emma smiled weakly.
"If only you knew..."
Meanwhile...
Inside the CEO's office...
Adrian stood by the window.
Daniel entered quietly.
"Sir?"
Adrian didn't turn around.
"I assigned Emma to Project Phoenix."
Daniel looked surprised.
"You rarely change project teams."
"I know."
"Was that... intentional?"
Adrian was silent for several moments.
Then he answered honestly.
"...Yes."
Daniel waited.
"I don't know what happened four years ago."
"I don't know why she disappeared."
"I don't even know why she looks at me like I'm a stranger."
He paused.
"But I know one thing."
Daniel listened carefully.
"I'm done waiting for answers to come to me."
His reflection stared back from the glass.
"If I want the truth..."
"I'll have to get close enough to find it."
Outside the office windows, the city stretched endlessly beneath him.
For the first time in years...
Adrian wasn't chasing another business deal.
He was chasing the past.
- Writer
