Sasha Daniels checked her reflection one last time in the sleek, floor– length mirror.
The navy blue pantsuit, crisp and tailored, made her feel powerful. Her long black hair was pulled into a low ponytail, revealing sharp cheekbones that gave away the stress she'd endured over the past month.
Her lips, painted a subtle shade of red, trembled slightly as she exhaled, nerves bubbling beneath her confident exterior.
Today was the day.
It wasn' t just any meeting. This was her moment — the chance to present her campaign idea to Gentry Media, the biggest firm in the city. If she nailed this, her advertising career would catapult into a realm she'd dreamed of for years . Her boss, Richard, had given her full control, trusting her instincts.
Her phone buzzed in the marble countertop, cutting through her thoughts.
She picked it up and froze. The name on the screen sent a jolt through her, pulling her back years into the past.
ETHAN CARTER
She hadn't seen or heard from him in over five years, not since their final, messy breakup.
They'd met in college, the fiery couple that everyone assumed would get married. But life happened, or at least ambition did. Sasha had been focused on internships, climbing the corporate ladder, and moving to New York. Ethan had wanted simpler things–family, a slower pace. The split had been inevitable, but the emotional wounds had lingered like ghosts in the corners of her heart.
Her thumb hovered over the screen –ignore it. But something inside her —a temptation she hadn't felt in years made her tap the green icon.
"Hello?" Her voice was quieter than she intended .
"Hey, Sasha. It's... it's been a while." His voice still had that warm, deep tone she remembered, laced with a slight hesitation.
"Yeah, it has. How've you been?" Sasha shifted uncomfortably, glancing at the clock.
She didn't have time for this.
"I'm in New York," Ethan said, a faint smile audible in his words. "I thought maybe we could grab a coffee while I'm in town.
New York? What was he doing here? She remembered him hating the city —the noise, the chaos, everything she loved about it.
Before she could stop herself, the words slipped out.
"You're here? Since when?"
"Just got in last night . I'm in town for a few weeks. Thought I'd check in on you...see if you're free."
There was a beat of silence before he added, " if you want to."
Sasha's heart thudded in her chest. She hadn't expected this —hadn't prepared herself for the emotional whirlpool Ethan always seemed to stir up. But beneath the tension was an old familiarity,the kind that felt as comfortable as a favorite sweater on a cold day.
"I...I have a huge presentation today, butt maybe later this week?" She offered, trying to keep her voice casual , like her pulse wasn't racing.
"Great. I'll hold you to that . "He paused before saying, " Good luck with the presentation, Sasha. You're going to kill it."
After they hung up, she stared at the phone, as if it held some kind of secret answer to the flood of emotions rushing through her. Ethan Carter, here in New York? Of all the times, why now?
A soft knock on the door pulled her back to reality. "Sasha, are you ready?" Richard's voice echoed from the hallway.
Sasha grabbed her briefcase, mentally shaking herself free of the fog Ethan's call had cast over her. She couldn't afford distractions—not today, Not when everything she'd worked for was on the line.
"Yeah, coming!" She threw her phone into her purse and followed Richard to the elevator.b
The meeting room was a glass–walled, high–rise space with views of the city skyline.
As she and Richard entered the team from Gentry Media was already seated, their expressions expectant. At the head of the table was CEO, Patrick Gentry himself —a man known for being ruthless as he was brilliant.
Sasha took a deep breath, pulling out her notes. This was it.
"Miss Daniels, we've heard great things about your proposal," Patrick began, nodding at her. Let's hear it."
The next forty–five minutes passed in a blur of slides, statistics and creative pitches.
Sasha felt herself settling into the familiar rhythm, her confidence growing with each passing minute. She was in her element, the temptation of Ethan's sudden return fading into the background as the adrenaline of the pitch took over.
When she finished, there was a moment of silence as Patrick leaned back in his chair, considering her, The silence stretched, her heart pounding in her ears.
"This is impressive, Ms Daniels. You've got something special here."
Relief flooded her, but Patrick wasn't done.
"I'd like to see a more detailed budget and timeline, but I think we can move forward."
Sasha barely registered Richard's congratulatory pat on her shoulders as they left the building.
They'd done it. She'd done it. Her career was about to take off.
But as she stepped into the bustling city sidewalk, the high from the meeting began to fade.
The phone in her purse felt heavier than it should. Ethan was here.
And no matter how far she'd come in her career, part of her was still tethered to the past, to him, and to the temptation of what they once had–and what they might still have.