Cereus
The city lights blurred past Cereus' window as the taxi lurched through the evening traffic. The weight of the day settled on her shoulders like a leaden cloak. Stepping out of the cab, her tired legs carried her towards her apartment building, each step echoing the turmoil in her heart.
Her tiny apartment, usually a haven of comfort, felt suffocating tonight. Memories, long buried and dormant, surged to the surface, sharp and painful. Collin's charming smile, the way his eyes crinkled when he laughed, the whispered promises of a future together – all played on a loop in her mind. But the loop inevitably ended with the deafening silence, the unanswered calls, the void he left behind.
The betrayal stung as fiercely as it had all those years ago. How could she have been so blind? Now, the stolen glances across crowded conference rooms, the hushed whispers about the elusive CEO – it all fit into a sickening picture. The realization that the CEO of Wusan Conglomerate, the powerful and enigmatic figure she'd read about in business magazines, was the same man who'd vanished without a word, left a bitter taste in her mouth.
Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision. Yet, amidst the pain, a flicker of defiance ignited within her. She wouldn't let Collin control her anymore. Cereus Lilian, the wide-eyed intern with dreams of carving her own path, wouldn't be defined by the ghosts of her past.
Wiping away her tears, Cereus squared her shoulders. This wasn't about Collin anymore. This was about her future, her career. She had earned her internship at Wusan Conglomerate based on her merit, not through some unwanted association with her ex-boyfriend. She wouldn't let him dictate her present.
Taking a deep breath, Cereus marched towards her desk. There was work to be done. The next month wouldn't just be a waiting game; it would be a period of preparation. She would immerse herself in her role, learn everything she could about the company's operations, and prepare herself for whatever confrontation awaited her when Collin returned.
The night morphed into the next day. Cereus threw herself into her tasks with a ferocity that surprised even her. Mr. Wang, her predecessor, had been invaluable during her first day. His detailed notes on Collin's work style, the company's organizational structure, and the intricacies of being a PA to the CEO were a lifeline in this uncharted territory.
Armed with Mr. Wang's knowledge and fueled by her own determination, Cereus tackled her responsibilities with renewed focus. She familiarized herself with Collin's schedule, meticulously organizing his calendar and prioritizing his tasks. She scoured news articles and company reports, attempting to understand the intricacies of Wusan Conglomerate's operations, their global reach, and their diverse portfolio.
Days turned into weeks, each one pushing Cereus further into the demanding rhythm of corporate life.
Yet, Cereus persevered. She found support in unexpected places. Her colleagues, initially wary, began to acknowledge her competence. Her sharp mind, her dedication to detail, and her willingness to go the extra mile earned their respect. Slowly, she carved out a space for herself as Cereus Lilian, the efficient and capable PA.
One evening, as she was finalizing Collin's itinerary for a post-trip presentation, her phone buzzed. It was Matthew, her boyfriend. Relief washed over her – a familiar voice in the storm she was navigating.
"Hey, beautiful," Matthew's voice filled her ears, warm and inviting. "How was your day?"
Cereus forced a smile. "Tiring," she admitted. "There's a lot to learn, and everyone seems to expect me to know everything already."
"That's how it is in the beginning," Matthew chuckled. "But you'll get the hang of it. You're a fast learner, Cereus."
They talked for a while, about their days, their plans for the weekend. Cereus, however, kept her encounter with Collin a secret. Somehow, the words wouldn't come out. Did Matthew need to know about the painful past she was trying to bury? Or was she simply not ready to face the vulnerability of sharing such a heavy truth?
"You sound a little down," Matthew observed gently. "Anything else bothering you?"
Cereus swallowed the lump in her throat. "Just a long day," she lied. "But I'll be fine. Talking to you always helps."
A comfortable silence settled between them, a comfortable silence that spoke volumes. They said their "I love yous" as usual, a promise of comfort and support, a reminder of the life she was building outside the shadow of her past. As she hung up, Cereus felt a renewed sense of strength. Matthew's love was a grounding force, a reminder that she wasn't alone.
The next few weeks became a blur of activity. Cereus spent her days anticipating Collin's return while simultaneously trying to push him out of her mind. She focused on learning the nuances of his work style, deciphering his cryptic emails, and anticipating his needs even before he expressed them. She spent her evenings devouring industry reports, researching upcoming projects, and preparing briefing notes that would demonstrate her understanding of the company and its goals.
One afternoon, while sorting through Collin's travel schedule, a particular detail jumped out at her. He was scheduled to attend a charity gala the evening he returned. It was a high-profile event, and Mr. Wang had meticulously planned his outfit and transportation. A mischievous glint sparked in Cereus' eyes. This could be her opportunity.
The next morning, she started researching the charity. It was a foundation dedicated to helping young entrepreneurs, a cause Cereus personally championed. She dug into their past initiatives, their success stories, and their upcoming goals. By the end of the day, she had a comprehensive report outlining potential talking points and even drafted a short speech Collin could deliver at the event.
As the date neared, a sense of anticipation tightened in Cereus' chest. It wasn't just the anticipation of seeing Collin again; it was the anticipation of confronting him on her own terms. She had spent the month not just learning about the company, but also learning about him – his management style, his leadership qualities, and even his philanthropic endeavors.
The day of Collin's return arrived. The office buzzed with a peculiar energy, a subtle shift in the air as everyone awaited the CEO's return. Cereus, dressed in a sharp black pantsuit, stood ramrod straight, a picture of professional composure. Yet, her heart hammered a frantic rhythm against her ribs.
The moment the elevator doors slid open, revealing a tall, broad-shouldered man with a familiar head of dark hair, Cereus felt like she had been punched in the gut. The years hadn't dimmed the sharp angles of his jawline or the piercing blue eyes that seemed to hold a lifetime of secrets. He looked even more powerful, more intimidating than she remembered.
Collin's eyes met hers for a fleeting moment, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before it was quickly masked by a neutral expression. He offered a curt nod of acknowledgment before striding towards his office, his presence demanding immediate attention.
Cereus took a deep breath, willing her trembling hands to steady. This was just the beginning. Now, it was time to put her plan into action. Walking towards his office, a silent war raged within her – a battle between the hurt of the past and the determination of the present. Today, she wouldn't be the naive girl who was easily discarded. Today, she was Cereus Lilian, the capable PA, ready to face the consequences of their past.
As she knocked on his office door, a single thought echoed in her mind: This wasn't about him anymore. This was about her.
__ __ __
Collin
Confusion slammed into me like a rogue wave, drowning my carefully constructed composure. Cereus? Here? It felt like a glitch in the matrix, a wrong turn down a rabbit hole. My mind, already frayed from the whirlwind business trip, felt like it was about to short-circuit.
How? When? Why wasn't there even a flicker of surprise in her eyes? A month ago, I'd fumbled through a nonexistent phone interview with Leo's friend – a desperate attempt to salvage a situation buried under an avalanche of work. Guilt, hot and prickly, snaked its way up my gut. I'd promised Leo, messed up royally, and then… well, business had consumed me whole.
A month on a whirlwind trip, and now this. The world seemed to tilt on its axis. Every instinct screamed at me to bolt, to find some forgotten corner of the office and hide until this bizarre situation righted itself. But the rational part of my brain, buried under the chaos, knew that wouldn't fly.
With a shaky breath, I raked my fingers through my hair, the familiar gesture grounding me slightly. "Come in," I croaked, the word rough against my dry throat. The door creaked open, and Cereus stepped into my office, the picture of professional composure. Her gaze, however, held an undercurrent of something I couldn't decipher. Was it amusement? Challenge? Or maybe even a hint of… knowing?
The knot of tension in my stomach tightened further. This was all shades of wrong. The interview fiasco was bad enough, but now Cereus was here, in my office, and it felt like I was missing a crucial piece of the puzzle. Every question that had been hammering at me for the past however-long-it'd-been intensified. How did she end up here? Did Leo know about the interview snafu? And most importantly, why wasn't she the least bit fazed about coming face-to-face with me?
I forced myself to meet her gaze, the questions a storm brewing behind my eyes. "Cereus, right? Leo's friend?" My voice sounded rusty, disuse making it sound foreign to my own ears.
A hint of a smile played on her lips, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "The one and only," she replied, her voice a smooth melody that sent a shiver down my spine for reasons I couldn't explain. "Though, considering the less-than-traditional interview process, I wouldn't blame you if you forgot."