Erased vows

Chapter Four

LIAM’S POV

I’ve worked with dozens of assistants in the last three years.

Efficient, composed, polished.

They come. They go.

They never matter much.

Except this one Anita marshals.

She’s different.

And I can’t figure out why.

Right from the moment she stepped into my office for the interview, it didn’t feel like it was the first time we had met.

She walks into my office with composure. Too cold. Her footsteps are soft, careful but she doesn’t fumble. Doesn’t flatter. She listens. Moves fast. Speaks only when necessary.

She doesn’t try to charm me.

And yet I can’t seem to ignore her.

I find myself staring way too often than I would like to admit.

That first day, I thought it was just a coincidence. Maybe I was tired, or perhaps it was stress.

But every time she speaks, there’s something beneath her voice that tightens something in my chest.

Like a name I forgot.

Or a place I once lived.

She reminds me of something.

Someone.

But I don’t know who.

That day I had to go home earlier than usual. My head was aching and I needed to rest.

I couldn’t sleep that night,

I sat by the window of my penthouse, drink in hand, staring out at the city that never gave me peace. Not after the crash. Not after I woke up in a hospital bed with six months of therapy, two years of lost memories, and a father who told me to forget everything that came before.

“You’re stronger now,” Dad had said.

“You’re better.”

But better people don’t wake up gasping from dreams they can’t explain.

Better people don’t ache for something they were told never existed.

Her first day of work was spent entirely in my office, with no lunch or break. Just work.

Having her so close wasn’t easy for me because I couldn’t help but wonder where I knew her from, why did she feel so familiar?

That night, I dreamt.

I was in a room I didn’t recognize with a lady I couldn’t see her face properly. It smelled like orange blossoms and books. Sunlight poured in through gauzy curtains. I could hear the faint sound of birds outside.

She stood in front of me, barefoot, wrapped in one of my shirts. Her eyes were soft. Kind. A little amused.

“Still working?” she asked, teasing.

I looked down at a paper in my hand and smiled. “Only pretending.”

She laughed. God, that laugh. I hadn’t heard it before and yet it pierced me like a memory. It was honeyed, familiar. Mine.

She leaned in to kiss me.

I kissed her back.

Then everything shattered.

The sunlight. The warmth. Her face.

Gone.

I woke up breathless, heart racing, sweat clinging to my skin like a second layer. The room was cold. My apartment was silent.

Empty.

I sat on the edge of the bed, burying my face in my hands.

It had been months since I last dreamed about *her*—the faceless woman who lived just on the edge of my memory. She never had a name or a face. Only the feeling she left behind.

I felt lost.

Today had started off as a bright day, meetings, we closed a deal and the headaches has stopped.

Well, all these positivity was short lived.

Dad visited.

A visit from maverick Grey is not always pleasant. Before the accident, I have always gone against his judgment. We did not have the best relationship.

But since the accident, all I do now is listen to him because everything feels wrong and stressful.

Today we argued.

I had seen him talking to Maya, which was odd. Since when did he start talking to my staff?

Twenty minutes later, I felt the air tight around me, the air conditioner becoming hot and I knew he was here.

“Good afternoon Dad.” I greeted, barely raising up my head.

Making himself comfortable on the visitor chair “Good day son, won't you offer me a drink”

“This is an office and not a bar”

Ignoring my statement, there was a prolonged silence.

I looked up to see him staring intensively at me, almost as if he was trying to study me.

“I want you to fire your new personal assistant.”

I was taken aback.

“Why” I said standing up.

“I don't trust her” was all he said.

“You don't trust a stranger Dad? Or do you know her from somewhere?” I couldn't believe my father.

“Trust me and do as I say.” he said firmly.

“The only person I will be trusting is my instincts, something I haven't done since after the accident.”

“Liam!!! Don't raise your voice at me.”

“As long as she hasn't done anything wrong she goes nowhere!” the finality in my voice couldn't go unnoticed.

I am tired of Dad always trying to dictate my life.

I turned my back to him and looked towards the ceiling to floor windows. My office has the view in Chicago.

And on bad days, this is what keeps me calm.

I heard the door shut behind me.

Deciding to head early today as I couldn't handle any more stress.

I met her just outside her office, surprised she is still here. I had told her she could go home early today.

“You’re still here?”

She stood slowly. “I wanted to finish prepping for the kings meeting . And your call for tomorrow.”

She looked tired.

I Just stared.

There’s something about her that’s pulling me towards her.

Something I couldn’t quite reach.

“Smart,” I said.

“Pack your things, I will drop you off.”

I didn’t realize what I was saying until I had said it.

Riding in same car with Anita?

“We are not going same way sir.” She said.

“I am aware”

“Okay sir, please five minutes to get my bag.”

“Okay, Don’t keep me waiting.”

I turned heading to the elevator.

“Dinner tomorrow evening with a client and his wife, you are coming along!”

Way to go Liam.

Why did you invite her?

It is meant to be with your plus one not your Assistant.

I can’t help it around her.