THE WOMAN WHO RETURNED : GOLD

The city looked smaller than Epsilon Bachetti remembered. That was the first thought that crossed her mind when the plane descended through the clouds. Eight years ago, she had looked at this city with fear. Now, she looked at it through tinted glass, wearing a designer suit worth more than most people's monthly salary, with an empire behind her name. It's funny how much could change. Back then, she was Epsilon Bachetti, the daughter of the powerful Bachetti fashion family that had fallen overnight. Now, she was still Epsilon Bachetti. But the world knew another name. 'GOLD'. The luxury fashion house that had conquered international runways. The brand that celebrities fought to wear. The company whose founder was considered one of the greatest mysteries in the fashion industry. Nobody knew the person behind GOLD. Nobody knew the woman who had built it from nothing. And Epsilon preferred it that way. The airport was crowded, filled with people rushing through their ordinary lives. She watched them quietly. There was something strange about returning to a place that had once broken her. It felt familiar. But it no longer felt like home. "You're thinking too loudly." Epsilon didn't turn around. Only one person in the world would say something that ridiculous. "Kai." Kai Jett walked beside her, carrying one of her bags despite knowing she would complain. His auburn hair was slightly messy, and his amber eyes carried the same playful confidence she remembered. "You know I can carry my own things." she said "I know." "Then why are you carrying it?" "Because you will complain if I don't."He chuckled . "That makes no sense." She looked at him "It makes perfect sense. I have studied you for years." "That sounds concerning." Kai smiled, grinning widely. "You're welcome." Despite herself, Epsilon almost laughed. Almost. Kai had always been like that. When the world saw the founder of GOLD, they saw someone untouchable, someone elegant , someone impossible to approach. Kai saw the woman behind the image. The woman who ate instant noodles while working on designs. The woman who cried after her first major rejection. The woman who once believed she had lost everything. "Are you nervous?" he asked. "No." She looked down "You're lying."He said "I don't lie." "You do. Your lies are just expensive now." She gave him a flat look. "Did becoming the world's biggest gaming CEO make you more annoying?" she sighed a light frown on her face. "No. I was always like this." "Unfortunately, I agree." They walked through the airport together. A few people recognized Kai. That was expected. Kai Jett was no longer just the boy who had been the captain of their school basketball team. He was now the founder of one of the biggest gaming companies in the world. But nobody recognized her, and she liked it. The car ride through the city was quiet. Epsilon looked out the window. Buildings had changed , People had changed. But memories stayed. She passed a street she used to walk down with Levi. The thought came unexpectedly. Levi Atlas. She hated that even after eight years, his name still had the power to interrupt her thoughts. She had spent years convincing herself she had moved on. And she had. At least, that was what she told herself. "You're thinking about him." Kai's voice broke the silence. Epsilon looked at him. "Do you ever stop guessing things?" she sighed. "No." "That's irritating." "I know." He said. She looked away. "He's probably forgotten me." Kai was silent. That silence told her everything. She turned back. "What?" "You know that's not true." He shook his head . "People change." She said, looking out the window, her misty eyes clouded with emotion. "Yes." Kai looked at the city ahead. "But some people spend years trying to forget someone and fail." He said Epsilon didn't respond. Because she knew exactly what he meant. The headquarters of GOLD stood at the centre of the city. A glass building with the golden symbol shining proudly at the entrance. The employees in the lobby immediately straightened when Epsilon entered. Not because they feared her, but because they respected her. "Welcome back, Ms. Carter." She nodded. "Thank you." The woman standing beside the reception desk smiled nervously. "Everyone has been waiting for your return." Epsilon raised an eyebrow. "Everyone needs better hobbies." Kai laughed behind her. Some things about Epsilon never changed. Her sharp tongue. Her dry humour. Her ability to make powerful people nervous without even trying. Inside her office, she stood before a wall covered with GOLD's greatest achievements. Awards, magazine covers, collections. A life she built. A life nobody could take away. A knock came at the door. "Come in." Chairman Gu entered. The older man looked at her with pride. "Eight years ago, you left this country with nothing." Epsilon smiled faintly. "I had a suitcase." "Exactly. And now?" He looked around the office. "Now you own an empire." Epsilon looked at the GOLD logo outside the window. "No." She said. "I built one." She corrected softly. Chairman Gu smiled. That was the thing about Epsilon. She never forgot where she came from. That evening, Epsilon stood alone on the balcony. The city lights reflected in her green eyes. She had returned for business. For GOLD. For herself. Not for the past. But somewhere in the same city... A man with deep blue eyes was looking at the same skyline. And for the first time in eight years, Levi Atlas heard the name he thought he would never hear again. "Epsilon Carter is back." And his world stopped.