Chapter 1
805 Words
The sunlight poured through the large office windows, casting a golden hue across the sleek furniture of the Walton Empire’s headquarters. Brielle sat at her desk, her fingers tapping rhythmically against the keyboard as she worked through an endless pile of documents scattered before her. The sharp click of her keyboard filled the room, but her mind wasn’t fully present. It drifted, as it often did, to the past—a moment she had long tried to bury.
That one night. One mistake.
A sudden knock on the door snapped her out of her thoughts. She straightened in her seat, pulling herself together just as Owen Walton, the CEO of Walton Empire, entered the room. His presence was commanding, filling the space with an air of authority and control.
He didn’t look at her as he tossed a thick file onto her desk. “I need this proposal finalized by noon,” he ordered, his voice crisp and dismissive, like she was just another employee to him.
Brielle nodded, swallowing the urge to say something back. She had grown accustomed to his arrogance over time. Owen Walton was a hard man to work for—cold, distant, and demanding—but that didn’t stop her from noticing the occasional flicker of something deeper beneath his hardened exterior.
She watched as he turned to leave, his hand pausing on the door handle. Owen glanced back at her, his blue eyes briefly meeting hers, a flash of something unreadable passing between them.
"By the way," he added, "the annual event is tomorrow. Make sure you’re there."
It wasn’t a question.
Brielle’s heart sank as the door closed behind him. She’d forgotten all about the event. As much as she hated these formal gatherings, they were a part of her job now. But this one carried more weight—a reminder of the last time her life had been set on end.
That night. The one she thought she’d left behind for good.
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The following evening, Brielle stood in front of her bedroom mirror, adjusting the satin straps of her gown. She took a deep breath, trying to shake off the anxiety gnawing at her chest. It was just another event, she told herself. Just another evening of mingling and keeping up appearances for the sake of her career.
Yet, she couldn’t ignore the tension building inside her.
As she entered the ballroom, the music and clinking sounds of champagne glasses overshadowed the soft hum of chatter from the crowd. Brielle moved through the room, faking a smile over her face.
“Brielle!” a familiar voice called out.
She turned to see Jessica, her best friend since childhood, waving as she approached. Jessica’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she took in Brielle’s appearance.
“You look stunning,” Jessica said, as she gave Brielle’s tight hug. “But you seem tense. You okay?”
Brielle forced a smile. “Just a little overwhelmed. It’s been a long day.”
Jessica gave her a knowing look. “Well, let’s grab a drink and take the edge off. You’ve earned it.”
They made their way to the bar, exchanging pleasantries and catching up on the latest office gossip. But Brielle couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that something was about to happen. Her mind kept drifting back to the past—to that night she thought she’d never have to face again.
As Jessica ordered their drinks, Brielle’s eyes scanned the room. Owen stood across the ballroom, deep in conversation with a group of executives. Even from a distance, his presence was magnetic. He was arrogant, yes, but there was something about him that made it impossible to look away. Perhaps it was the mystery that drew her in, the walls he built so high that no one could see what was on the other side.
“You’re staring,” Jessica teased, handing Brielle her drink. “What’s going on between you two? You never talk about him.”
Brielle laughed nervously, shaking her head. “There’s nothing to talk about. He’s just my boss.”
Jessica raised an eyebrow. “Right. Sure. And I’m the Queen of England.”
Brielle rolled her eyes, taking a sip of her champagne. “It’s complicated.”
The evening wore on, and Brielle did her best to avoid Owen. She could feel his eyes on her every so often, a brief glance that sent a shiver down her spine, but they didn’t exchange words.
As the night drew to a close, Brielle excused herself and stepped outside for a moment of fresh air. The cool evening breeze felt like a relief against her flushed skin, and she closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. For a moment, she allowed herself to relax, to push aside the swirling thoughts in her head.
- Writer
