Mistake at first sight

Chapter 7: identity lost

The building looked the same: tall, imposing, and untouchable.

As if nothing inside it had ever shifted, as if it didn’t hold a moment that had quietly changed her entire life.

Alice stood across the street, her fingers tightening slightly around her bag.

Gulter Enterprises.

She had told herself she wouldn’t come back, and yet

The opposite was the case.

My thoughts are full; I need a miracle, even if it’s “An answer,” she murmured, and sighed, just enough to convince herself that anything that mattered.

Because this wasn’t about him anymore.

It couldn’t be,

It was about the child.

He gazed steadily, chin up.

Alice counted her steps, crossing the street with quiet determination.

Each step felt heavier than the last; she couldn’t dare to stop.

She couldn’t.

Just as she stepped in, nothing changed.

The not-forgotten cool air; it engrossed her again, controlled,

Distant.

Unwelcoming.

This time, it didn’t intimidate her.

It irritated her!

She walked straight to the front desk.

“I need to see Edwin Gulter.”

No hesitation.

No stutter.

The receptionist looked up, her expression neutral.

“Any appointment “?

“No.”

“I’m certainly not afraid to say I won’t be possible”.

Alice exhaled slowly, keeping her composure.

“It’s important.”

With a firm voice.

“So is everyone else’s request.”

She continued.

The receptionist replied calmly.

“Mr. Gulter does not take walk-ins.”

Alice’s jaw tightened slightly.

“I’ve met him before.”

A pause.

A brief flicker of interest.

“Even so,” the receptionist said,

“Even as much as we don’t skip protocol.”

Of course it did.

Alice glanced toward the elevators.

So close.

And yet—

Completely out of reach.

“Then can you at least inform him that I’m here?”

She asked.

her voice still controlled, but firmer now. “

Tell him it’s about a lady who submitted her proposal “.

Dashing silence.

Then—

“I’ll pass along the message,” the receptionist said.

Not convincing, not guaranteed.

Alice nodded anyway.

“Thank you.”

A few steps aside, her heart is beating like it’s about to pop out.

now not from nerves, but anticipation.

Certainly.

If he came down, if he remembered.

Minutes passed.

Then more,

Nothing.

The time becomes too conscious of Alice as he has no time to spare.

Hello Miss,

She raised her head

Just the receptionist, sorry for keeping you waiting, but Mr. Gulter isn’t on seat.

He’s not what? Alice asked again to be sure of what she heard.

Mr. Gulter isn’t on seat, she repeated.

Something broke inside of her.

He didn’t want to reply, Alice mumbled.

Alice forced a smile, thank you kindly.

Alice nodded slowly, forcing herself to remain collected.

“Alright”.

She turned and walked towards the door, each step deliberate and sedate.

As she stepped out, the air hung heavy as if it were weighing her down.

“He couldn’t even hassle”, she sighed to herself: no messages, no call, nothing. Alice took a deep breath, exhaling slowly.

She wasn't about to feel sorry for herself.

Doors close, she'll find another ed short. She seemed familiar, but he didn't know why.

Her walk was what caught him, something about it.

The phone rang, just as she disappeared from view, snapping him back.

Everything changed after that. Alice didn't look back for ages.

She felt heavy, like she'd gotten nothing.

Just distance and avoidance.