Liam's POV
As I sat in my office, the quiet hum of the city outside the window did little to distract me from the task at hand. I had just finished reviewing a stack of documents when I came across a particular file that caught my attention. Her name was printed in bold letters at the top, and her photograph was clipped to the front page. My heart skipped a beat.
I let out a sigh, my fingers instinctively tracing the contours of her face on the photograph. The smooth texture of the paper felt cold against my skin, but it couldn't suppress the warmth rising in my chest. I could feel her eyes on me, even though she wasn't physically present. The weight of regret settled heavily on my shoulders as I thought back to the mistake I had made years ago.
"Why did I do that back then?" I murmured under my breath, my voice tinged with self-reproach. "What a fool I was, letting her go."
Her image stared back at me, unchanging, while my thoughts swirled with questions and what-ifs. According to the file, she had completed her master's degree in business a year ago. That revelation intrigued me, but it also puzzled me. Why hadn't she worked until now? What had kept her from pursuing a career right after graduation?
I leaned back in my chair, contemplating the possibilities. The tension in the room was palpable, my thoughts racing between the past and present. I couldn't help but wish that it was her actual face I was tracing with my finger, not just a photograph.
"My heart says it will happen soon," I thought to myself, trying to silence the yearning that had taken root deep within me. "But until then, keep your thoughts to yourself."
Clearing my throat, I forced myself to focus. I had a job to do, and I couldn't let personal feelings cloud my judgment. But when she finally walked into my office, her presence filled the room with an energy that was both familiar and electrifying. I glanced at the file again, searching for a hint of how to proceed.
"Why do you need this job, Ms. Walker?" I asked, my voice steady, yet laced with curiosity. "How can you expect me to hire you when you have no experience, except for a few internships?"
Her response was immediate, almost as if she had anticipated my question. "Sir, I need this job because I have to earn money for my living. I can't accept living off my parents' money any longer. When I have the knowledge and stability to work, why not use it? As for why other companies didn't consider me, I can't say. I just didn't get the opportunity to prove what I'm capable of. But I have confidence in myself that I can complete any work assigned to me."
She met my gaze with unwavering confidence, her eyes challenging me to doubt her. It was a quality I admired, one that spoke volumes about her determination. I decided to push her further, to see if that confidence could withstand a more personal line of questioning.
"Do you have a boyfriend, Ms. Walker?" I asked, my tone casual but laced with underlying intent.
Her initial reaction was almost comical—surprised and a bit flustered—but she quickly composed herself. "I don't have a… Hey, that's not a question you're supposed to ask me. It's not a professional one."
I couldn't suppress a smirk. I was testing her boundaries, trying to gauge where her attention lay. Leaning forward, I placed the file back on the desk and crossed my arms.
"I was just checking where your attention was, Miss Walker."
I could see the flicker of anger in her eyes, a spark that both thrilled and amused me. She was trying hard to keep her composure, but I knew I was getting under her skin.
"Well, you got your answer," she retorted, her voice calm yet firm. "My attention is here, Mr. Collins. I prefer to continue this interview."
Her resilience was impressive, and I found myself respecting her even more. But there was still one more question I needed to ask, the one that had been nagging at me since I read through her file.
"Alright, Miss Walker," I began, my tone softening slightly. "Can I ask what you've been doing this past year after completing your master's degree?"
I noticed her eyes dart towards my chest before she quickly averted her gaze, her cheeks flushing a deep shade of red. It was a subtle but telling reaction, one that didn't go unnoticed. I smirked inwardly, amused by her apparent discomfort.
Clearing her throat, she responded, "I've been working as a waitress at a hotel."
Her voice wavered slightly, and she shifted in her seat, clearly uneasy under my intense scrutiny. I nodded, absorbing her answer, but my mind was already racing ahead, considering the implications.
Pushing the file towards her, I met her eyes once more. "Well, you'll receive my response soon from my secretary. She'll call you with my decision."
I stood up, signaling the end of the interview, and extended my hand for a shake. She hesitated for a moment before rising from her seat and accepting the handshake. The moment our hands touched, a jolt of electricity shot through me, a stark reminder of the feelings I had buried for so long.
"Thank you, sir," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper as she collected her belongings.
As she turned to leave, I found myself following her to the door, compelled by an urge I couldn't quite explain. I stood close behind her, so close that I could feel the tension radiating off her. She froze, her hand still resting on the door knob, clearly aware of my presence.
Unable to resist one last tease, I bent towards her right ear and whispered, "Can you please inform Alexis to come to my office as you pass by?"
She nodded stiffly, her breath hitching, and then bolted out of the room as if her life depended on it.
I chuckled softly to myself. It had been ages since I'd felt this way—alive, intrigued, and utterly captivated. As I returned to my chair, I couldn't stop my thoughts from drifting back to her. There was something undeniable between us, a connection that time hadn't been able to sever.
"My destiny wants to meet my Destiny," I mused with a smile, relishing the play on words. This time, I vowed not to let my ego get in the way. I wouldn't make the same mistake twice. Seven years had passed since I'd last seen her, and she had only grown more beautiful in that time.
My reverie was interrupted when Alexis walked into the office. I noticed immediately that she was unusually animated, her eyes still fixed on the hallway she had just come from.
"What happened to Destiny?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity. "She just walked up to me, said you wanted to see me, and didn't even look me in the eye. Then she mumbled a quick goodbye and practically ran off. Her cheeks were as red as tomatoes."
As Alexis finally turned to face me, I could tell she was about to jump to some very wrong conclusions. I leaned back in my chair, keeping my expression neutral, but inside, I was bracing myself for her inevitable teasing.
She smirked at me, crossing her arms over her chest. "What did you do to her? I can see why her cheeks were red. Did you seriously do that with her in your office?"
My mind went blank for a moment before I registered what she was implying. "What? No!" I sputtered, feeling heat creep up my neck. "It's not what you're thinking. Get those dirty thoughts out of your head."
She pouted playfully, clearly unconvinced, but I pressed on. "I'm like this because of you. You startled me earlier, and I spilled coffee on my shirt. I didn't have a spare, so I had to take the interview like this."
Alexis burst into laughter, the sound filling the room. I glared at her, but she only laughed harder.
"I really didn't expect this to happen," she said between giggles. "But you could have called me and waited for a new shirt. I can see the gears turning in your mind, Liam."
I kept silent, knowing that any further protest would only fuel her suspicions. Alexis had always been like an older sister to me, someone who could read me like an open book. But this time, I didn't want her to see through me. Not yet.
Trying to steer the conversation back to a professional tone, I cleared my throat. "Alexis, could you please order a new shirt for me? I can't work like this all day."
She eyed me suspiciously, narrowing her gaze as if trying to decipher my thoughts. "You can't fool me, but I'll let it slide this time," she said, finally relenting. "I'll make some calls to get you a new shirt."
As she turned to leave, she paused at the door, her back still to me. "Sir, I think you'll sit like this all day, especially when Destiny is around," she added with a laugh before exiting the room.
I was left stunned by her parting words, but deep down, I knew she was right. I would have sat like that all day if it meant spending more time with Destiny. Shaking my head, I tried to push the thoughts away and focused on the work in front of me.
After half an hour, Alexis returned, knocking this time before entering. She placed some files and a new shirt on the table before excusing herself. I quickly put on the shirt and resumed my work, trying to regain my composure.