Ethan?
Ethan, on the other hand, hadn't noticed her yet. He spoke briefly with the hostess, who gestured toward Lilly's table. As he turned, their eyes met.
Ethan sat down, seemingly unaware of the shock running through Lilly's system. He offered a polite smile and ordered a drink before introducing himself, oblivious to the fact that they had once known each other. If only through her music.
"Good day, ma'am. I'm Ethan. Thanks for accepting my invitation. I'm sorry I haven't caught your name yet."
Lilly, lost in her emotions, barely registered his words. She was in a series of feelings, nervousness, anger, and something else she couldn't quite place.
The man sitting in front of her had no idea who she was, no idea that they had once shared so much.
Ethan, noticing her lack of response, leaned forward slightly and gently touched her arm.
"Excuse me, are you alright?"
Her thoughts snapped back into focus.
"Oh! Sorry..." she muttered.
"I was asking for your name," Ethan repeated with a smile, still unaware of her true identity.
Lilly took a deep breath, steadying herself before speaking.
"I'm Lilly. Nice to meet you."
Ethan gave a casual nod, none the wiser.
"Nice to meet you too, Lilly."
She forced a polite smile, but inside, she was still reeling. How could he not remember her? How could someone who once held such significance in her life sit across from her, treating her like a stranger?
Ethan shifted the conversation toward the business at hand, talking about the potential project.
"This contract is huge," he explained.
"If we collaborate, we could definitely secure it, and the payout is significant. More than either of our companies have ever handled. It would open doors for future opportunities as well."
Lilly, still feeling the weight of their unexpected reunion, listened carefully. Despite the emotions, she recognized a good business opportunity when she saw one. Ethan's proposal made sense for her company, and there was a lot to gain from this deal. The details seemed promising, and the numbers Ethan discussed were hard to ignore.
She nodded. "It sounds like a solid plan. Let's move forward."
Ethan smiled, relieved that she had agreed. "Great. I'll have my team draw up the initial papers. This is going to be beneficial for both of us."
They finished their drinks, exchanged a few more professional pleasantries, and then parted ways.
Back at her office, Lilly sat at her desk, replaying the meeting in her mind. She couldn't shake the strange feeling she had when looking at Ethan.
He was the same man she once cared for, yet so much had changed. What bothered her more, though, was the way he had treated her like a stranger. She knew she had changed physically, but the fact that he didn't recognize her at all left a bitter taste in her mouth.
Still, the deal they had just agreed to was going to be a major success for her company. She pushed her emotions aside and focused on the business at hand, but she couldn't stop thinking about how their paths had crossed again.
When the day of their next meeting arrived, Lilly was determined to make a professional impression. She wore a stylish dress, different from her usual business attire, knowing that she wasn't the same Lilly from high school anymore.
She wanted to look confident, sophisticated, and in control, and a part of her was aware that Ethan would notice the change.
Ethan had offered to pick her up from her office, suggesting they go together to scout locations for their proposal. She accepted, deciding that keeping things easy and professional was the best route. When he arrived, Ethan stepped out of his car and opened the door for her. It was a small gesture, but it felt surprisingly sweet to Lilly. For a moment, she felt something stir within her, but she quickly shut it down.
"It's just business. Nothing more."
As they drove through the city, discussing the areas they planned to visit, the atmosphere in the car was surprisingly comfortable. They laughed a little, talking about the project, and for brief moments, Lilly caught glimpses of the boy she used to admire.
After a few minutes, they arrived at their first location. Before Ethan could rush to her side to open the door again, Lilly opened it herself, stepping out of the car. She noticed Ethan pause for a moment, a slight flicker of disappointment crossing his face.
Ethan had genuinely wanted to open the door for her, but Lilly had already shut it out. She wouldn't let herself fall into that trap. Not again. She was here for work, and she reminded herself of that fact.
"I'm not that girl anymore", she thought to herself as they walked side by side, scouting the location.
Meanwhile, Ethan was struggling with an unexpected feeling of frustration. He wasn't sure why, but he wanted to do something for her. He felt drawn to her in a way he couldn't quite place. But the door moment had passed, and now they were just back to business.
As they walked, Lilly's discomfort became more noticeable. Her feet ached, the high heels that she'd worn to impress Ethan now feeling like a mistake. Ethan, always observant, noticed the blood at the back of her heel and immediately grew concerned.
"Let's take a break," he said gently, guiding her to a bench nearby. Lilly was too embarrassed to decline, but she was startled when Ethan knelt down in front of her.
"Mr Ethan, what are you…."
Before she could finish, he was already removing her heels. Her heart raced as he slipped off his white sneakers and carefully placed them on her feet. Lilly sat there, utterly speechless, her mind buzzing with confusion and the butterflies suddenly stirring in her stomach.
He looked up at her, concern etched across his face.
"Why did you wear those heels when you knew we'd be walking? You shouldn't hurt yourself like this… it breaks my heart."
Lilly didn't know what to say. Her mind was spinning, torn between the business partnership they had just established and the sudden tenderness she felt from Ethan. He was no longer the arrogant guy she had once known this was different.
She swallowed hard, feeling warmth spread through her chest. "I...I didn't want to look unprofessional," she stammered, unsure of how else to explain it.
Ethan smiled softly, shaking his head. "You don't need to impress anyone, miss Lilly."
Lilly dashed away, her heart racing not just from the embarrassment of the moment but also from the flutter of excitement that Ethan's closeness had ignited. She was still processing the shift in their dynamic when she suddenly realized she had left her bag behind.
"Oh no! My diary!"
She stopped in her tracks, panic rising in her chest. The diary was her everything, containing every secret, every song, and every emotion she had poured out since her high school days. It was a record of her journey, her feelings about Ethan, and her struggles with self image.
Meanwhile, Ethan turned back toward the bench after noticing her bag sitting there. He could feel a warmth in his chest, still smiling at the thought of Lilly running in his sneakers, but his expression shifted when he realized she had forgotten something important.
"Omg, she forgot her bag," he murmured, quickly deciding he needed to catch up with her. He jogged a few steps, calling out,
"Miss Lilly! Wait!"
But she was already too far ahead, the sound of her footsteps fading. Frustrated, he stopped, realizing he couldn't find her. After a few moments, he reluctantly headed back to his car, knowing he needed to drive back to the office and return her bag.
Immediately he got to his car, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that something significant had just happened between them. He pulled out his phone, thinking of texting her but hesitated. Would it be too forward? Would it make her uncomfortable?
At the same time, Lilly was rushing back to the park, her mind racing with worry. She had to get her diary before he did. If he knows, it would be devastating. He might not treat her the same way he has been treating her anymore.
As she reached the bench, Ethan and the bag was not there anymore. She sat down at the bench feeling so down. If Ethan sees the diary and read it he would know she's Lilly the fat girl in high school.