She stands before me. Her features have matured over the years, yet she glows more than ever. Her wide eyes lock onto mine, a flicker of recognition passing through them. Does she remember me? Then again, my Selene has always been forgetful.
Her supervisor clears his throat, breaking the moment. He introduces me formally, and she steps forward. Her hand, small and delicate compared to mine, clasps mine briefly in a handshake.
I order her supervisor to have her join today's meeting immediately, right on her first day. Her eyes widen at the sudden command, but she regains composure quickly.
"It will be a privilege for me to be part of it. Thank you, Mr. Anderson," she replies, her voice steady despite the nerves I can sense beneath the surface.
Back in my office, my assistant enters without knocking—relentless, as always. Her hips sway with exaggerated grace as she approaches my desk, placing a steaming cup of coffee before me. She bends slightly, just enough to ensure I notice her low-cut blouse and the curves it barely conceals. I clench my jaw, keeping my expression neutral.
"Thanks." My tone is clipped, dismissive. I don't bother looking up again. She lingers, but when I give her nothing more, she eventually takes the hint and leaves.
I turn to my monitors, the cool glow of the screens steadying my thoughts. With a few clicks, I navigate to the IT Department's security feed. My gaze sharpens as I scan for her. There. I zoom in slightly, watching as Aurelia types away on her personal laptop. I exhale in frustration. If only she were using the company's desktop—I'd have a clearer view of what she was working on.
Time moves faster than I expect, and soon, lunch hour arrives. I straighten my tie and step out, brushing past my assistant, who once again attempts to invite me for lunch. I ignore her and make my way to the elevator. As it descends, I prepare myself.
The doors slide open at her floor, and there she is—Aurelia. She freezes for a split second before composing herself, offering me a soft, respectful smile. Even after all these years, my sweet Selene remains the same—socially awkward despite her extensive involvement in academic clubs.
The elevator quickly fills up, workers pressing in from all sides. She stands stiffly, trying to avoid being too close to me. I grit my teeth, wishing she would just relax and stand naturally. The warmth of her arm brushes against mine, and my pulse spikes. I struggle to suppress a grin, knowing how ridiculous I must look.
Her cheeks flush a deep shade of red, and I nearly lose my composure. She's too cute. If we weren't surrounded by others, I might actually let out a laugh. But as the doors open at the cafeteria level, she steps out, slipping away before I can say anything more.
I let out a sigh, making my way toward the entrance of the building. My younger brother's car waits at the curb, as it always does for our routine lunch outings.
As I slide into the passenger seat, he barely glances at me before scoffing. "You look like shit."
I shoot him a glare. "Aurelia is finally here."
Julius's hands tighten on the steering wheel, his expression shifting from amusement to shock. His eyes widen. "No way."