The hum of the elevator was steady and rhythmic, a faint backdrop to Alicia's pounding heartbeat. It was her first day at Halcyon Industries, and the sheer scale of the building left her awestruck. Every surface gleamed, from the marble floors to the polished chrome accents. Professionals in tailored suits moved with purpose, their confident strides making Alicia feel out of place in her budget-friendly outfit.
She clutched her ID badge and notebook tightly, trying to keep her nerves in check. The HR representative, a chipper young woman named Lila, had given her a whirlwind tour of the facility before leading her to her assigned department.
"This is where you'll be working," Lila said, gesturing to a spacious open-plan office filled with sleek desks and cutting-edge tech. "You're supporting the Executive Innovation Division. It's one of our most prestigious teams."
Alicia's stomach tightened. She hadn't expected to be placed in such an important department.
"Your immediate supervisor will brief you shortly," Lila continued. "Just relax and be yourself."
Relax. Easy for her to say, Alicia thought as she settled into her assigned desk.
---
As Alicia began organizing her workspace, she noticed a nameplate on the desk beside hers: Stephen West.
Her heart skipped a beat. Could it be the same Stephen?
She shook her head, dismissing the thought. Stephen West was a common enough name, and the Stephen she had known—a boy with kind eyes and an infectious smile—was part of a life she had long since left behind.
But the memories were relentless.
They'd been young and inseparable, their connection immediate and undeniable. Stephen's parents disapproved of their relationship, seeing Alicia as a distraction from his future. When he left to study abroad, she had been heartbroken, clinging to the hope that he might return.
He never did.
Alicia forced herself to focus on the present. Her new job was an opportunity she couldn't afford to jeopardize, no matter who she worked with.
The clock struck ten, and Alicia was summoned to the conference room for a departmental briefing. She entered cautiously, taking a seat near the back. The room filled quickly, with team members chatting amiably as they waited.
The door opened, and a tall figure stepped in. Alicia froze.
It was him.
Stephen West.
The boy she had loved was now a man, his presence commanding and confident. He was dressed impeccably in a tailored suit, his sharp features framed by neatly combed dark hair. But his eyes… they were the same, warm and intelligent, with a depth that took her breath away.
"Good morning, everyone," Stephen began, his voice deeper and more authoritative than she remembered. "I'm Stephen West, Head of Innovation at Halcyon. Today, I'll be introducing you to Project Solis, our latest initiative."
Alicia's mind reeled. She had hoped it wasn't him, but there was no denying it now.
Stephen's presentation was flawless, showcasing a revolutionary AI system designed to enhance human connection. As he spoke, Alicia couldn't help but notice his passion for his work, a quality that had always drawn her to him.
But her thoughts were a jumble of emotions: nostalgia, heartbreak, and an undercurrent of anger. How could he stand there so composed while her world felt like it was tilting on its axis?
---
The meeting ended, and the team dispersed. Alicia lingered, pretending to take notes as she tried to steady her nerves.
"Alicia?"
Her heart stopped at the sound of his voice.
She looked up to find Stephen standing beside her, his expression a mix of surprise and recognition.
"It is you," he said, his tone softening. "I thought I might be imagining things."
Alicia forced a polite smile. "Hello, Stephen. It's been a while."
"More than a while," he replied, his eyes searching hers. "How have you been?"
The question was simple, but Alicia struggled to answer. How could she sum up years of struggle and loss in a single sentence?
"I've been... managing," she said finally. "And you? Looks like you've done well for yourself."
Stephen hesitated, as if unsure how much to share. "Life's been busy. Work, mostly. I didn't expect to see you here."
"Neither did I," Alicia admitted, her voice quieter now.
An awkward silence settled between them, filled with unspoken words and lingering tension. Finally, Stephen cleared his throat.
"Well, I'm glad you're here. Welcome to the team," he said, his tone professional.
"Thank you," Alicia replied, matching his formality.
As he walked away, she released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
--
That evening, Alicia sat on the couch, her laptop balanced on her knees as Emma worked on her homework nearby. But her thoughts kept drifting back to Stephen.
Emma noticed her distraction. "You seem off. Something happen at work?"
Alicia hesitated. "I ran into someone I used to know."
"Someone special?" Emma teased, her curiosity piqued.
"Not anymore," Alicia replied, her tone firmer than she intended.
Emma studied her for a moment before letting it go.
As the night wore on, Alicia replayed the day's events in her mind. Seeing Stephen again had stirred emotions she thought she'd buried long ago. But she reminded herself that they were different people now, living in different worlds.
And she couldn't afford to get caught up in the past.
---
Stephen's POV
Across the city, Stephen sat in his office, staring out at the glittering skyline. His thoughts were consumed by Alicia.
She had changed, yet there was something undeniably familiar about her—something that pulled at him in a way he couldn't ignore.
He remembered the day he left, the way she had looked at him with tears in her eyes, begging him to stay. At the time, he had convinced himself it was for the best. His parents' expectations, his future—it had all seemed more important.
But seeing her now, he wondered if he had made a mistake.
"Stephen?"
His assistant's voice broke his reverie.
"Yes?"
"Your next meeting is in five minutes."
"Thank you," he replied, standing and adjusting his tie.
As he walked to the conference room, Stephen made a silent promise to himself: he wouldn't let Alicia slip away again, not without trying to mend what they had lost.
--