Chapter 2: The Woman Who Vanished
512 Words
Emma stood outside the CEO's office, her fingers tightening around the folder in her hands.
Four years.
She had imagined this moment countless times.
Sometimes Adrian would yell at her.
Sometimes he would ask why she had left without a word.
Sometimes he would simply walk away as if she meant nothing.
But never...
Never had she imagined she would be summoned back into his office as an employee.
"Ms. Carter."
The secretary smiled politely.
"The CEO is waiting."
Emma inhaled slowly before pushing open the heavy wooden door.
The office hadn't changed.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city skyline.
A large black desk stood in the center.
Bookshelves lined one wall.
Minimalist.
Cold.
Just like the man standing beside the window.
Adrian didn't turn around immediately.
For several long seconds, silence filled the room.
Finally, he spoke.
"I thought you moved overseas."
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
Emma lowered her eyes.
"I did."
"So..."
He turned to face her.
"...why are you back?"
Their eyes met again.
For the first time since that rainy night four years ago.
Emma's heart clenched painfully.
He looked exactly the same.
Tall.
Sharp features.
The expensive tailored suit only made him look even more untouchable.
But his eyes...
They had become colder.
Much colder.
"I came back because of work."
Adrian let out a quiet laugh.
"Work?"
He walked toward her.
One step.
Then another.
Until only a small distance separated them.
"You expect me to believe that?"
Emma forced herself to remain calm.
"I don't need you to believe me."
His jaw tightened.
"You disappeared."
"You changed your phone number."
"You erased every trace of yourself."
"And now you suddenly appear in my company."
His voice became lower.
"Give me one reason not to think you're hiding something."
Emma bit the inside of her cheek.
She couldn't tell him.
Not yet.
If Adrian discovered the truth...
Everything she had protected for four years would collapse.
She looked up at him.
"There is nothing to explain."
For the first time, anger flashed across Adrian's face.
He leaned closer.
"So you're still lying to me."
Emma's breathing became uneven.
No...
She wasn't lying.
She was protecting him.
Protecting their children.
Just then, Adrian's phone rang.
He glanced at the screen.
His expression softened for a brief second.
He answered immediately.
"Yes."
A woman's cheerful voice echoed through the quiet office.
"Adrian, don't forget dinner tonight."
Emma froze.
Dinner.
Of course.
Four years had passed.
Someone else had probably taken her place.
She lowered her eyes before he could notice the pain hidden inside them.
"I'll leave if there's nothing else."
She turned toward the door.
"Emma."
She stopped.
Without looking back.
Adrian's voice was quieter this time.
Almost gentle.
"...Don't disappear again."
Emma closed her eyes.
A tear threatened to fall.
But she swallowed every emotion.
Without another word...
She walked away.
Neither of them noticed the small photo that slipped out of Emma's folder.
It landed silently beneath Adrian's desk.
The picture showed...
Two little children smiling brightly.
And a pair of familiar blue eyes.
- Writer
