As I sat in front of the mirror, preparing for an important meeting with a new business partner, my assistant, Alise, was busy picking out the perfect outfit for me. After a few moments of searching, her eyes lit up when she found a navy blue strapless dress. "This is perfect for you, Elwyn. It's elegant and alluring," she said with a smile.
I looked at the dress she held up. It was beautiful, hugging my curves and giving me a regal, sophisticated appearance. Alise completed the look with silver high heels and an expensive set of jewelry, adding an extra touch of grace to my ensemble.
As I stared at my reflection, I barely recognized myself. I looked elegant, poised, and confident, a stark contrast to how I had felt lately. "Thank you, Alise. You did an amazing job," I said, smiling.
Alise nodded, satisfied. "You're always beautiful, Elwyn. Today, we just highlighted it a bit more."
I left the house feeling more confident than I had in a long time. Alise and I headed to Blue Whale, a renowned European restaurant where the meeting was set to take place. As soon as we arrived, the restaurant manager recognized us and led us to a private room that had been prepared for the occasion.
But when I stepped into the room, I froze. Sitting at the table was Jackie.
I couldn't believe my eyes. "Jackie... What are you doing here?" My voice shook with disbelief.
Jackie stood up, smiling calmly. "Hello, Elwyn. I thought you'd be surprised to see me."
My heart pounded, emotions swirling uncontrollably. I had no idea what to say. I just stood there, staring at him.
Alise, equally stunned, glanced between us. "Do you know the CEO of Richart?" she asked, her voice filled with surprise.
I quickly turned to her, trying to keep my composure. "Alise, can you give us a moment? I need to speak with him privately."
Alise hesitated, clearly curious, but she nodded and left the room. Once the door closed behind her, the atmosphere shifted, becoming heavy and tense. I could feel the anger rising inside me as I stared at Jackie.
"Why are you here?" I demanded, my voice trembling with emotion. "Are you playing with me? What's your real motive, Jackie?"
I could barely keep my composure. "You helped me once, and I was grateful, but I don't want you to be part of my life anymore. Stay away from me."
Jackie remained calm, his expression soft. "Elwyn, please sit down. Let's talk."
But I couldn't sit. I couldn't control the overwhelming emotions crashing inside me. "I don't want to talk! Who do you think you are, showing up like this? You've hidden so much from me, and now you're acting like you're in control of everything! I don't need your help. I don't need you in my life!"
He stepped closer, his voice gentle but firm. "Elwyn, I'm not trying to control your life. I just want to help you and your company."
I shook my head, stepping back from him, my voice laced with defiance. "I don't need your help, and I'm not signing this contract!"
Jackie's calm expression faltered for a moment, disappointment flickering in his eyes. But he didn't raise his voice. "Elwyn, please listen. This isn't just about business. It's about how I feel."
I froze, my eyes widening in disbelief. "What?"
Jackie moved closer, his eyes filled with sincerity. "I've cared about you for a long time. That's why I want to help, to be by your side."
His words hit me like a wave, leaving me breathless. I shook my head, refusing to believe it. "No, Jackie. I can't trust you. You've kept things from me, and I don't even know who you really are."
He looked at me, his voice filled with regret. "I'm sorry for not being honest from the start, but my feelings for you are real. Please, give me a chance to prove it."
I stared at him, my heart heavy with doubt and pain. I couldn't let myself believe him. "No, Jackie. I can't. I won't sign this contract, and I don't want to see you again."
With that, I turned and walked out of the room, leaving Jackie behind. My heart ached, but I knew I had to walk away. As I stepped outside the restaurant, the weight of everything crashed down on me. I felt a strange mix of relief and sadness.
Alise was waiting for me, her face filled with concern as I approached. "Elwyn, are you okay?" she asked, her voice shaking with worry.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. "I'm fine," I replied, though my voice betrayed how exhausted I felt. "The contract won't be signed. Let's leave."
Alise looked surprised but didn't question me. "Alright, I'll take care of everything."
I nodded, walking out of the restaurant and heading to my car. I sat there for a moment, unable to process what had just happened. Jackie's confession, his sudden appearance, it all felt too much. I closed my eyes, trying to calm the storm of emotions inside me.
"Jackie... the CEO of Richart?" I muttered to myself, feeling conflicted. His intentions might have been good, but the secrecy and the way everything unfolded made it impossible for me to trust him. I needed time to think, to sort through my emotions.
After asking Alise to send an apology to Richart Corporation, I drove home, feeling completely drained. Once home, I went through the motions of my usual routine, but my mind was far away, still replaying everything that had happened.
As I walked through the house, I felt empty, as if something inside me had shifted. My heart was heavy, and no matter how hard I tried to push it away, Jackie's words kept echoing in my mind. I couldn't understand why he had approached me, why he had hidden so much from me, and now... why he claimed to care.
The sound of my heels clicking against the floor echoed through the house as I made my way to the living room. I sat down, feeling completely overwhelmed by the chaos inside me.
I had told Jackie to stay away, but deep down, I knew the encounter wasn't over. My emotions were too tangled, too raw, to ignore. I needed time, space, and clarity to figure out what to do next. But for now, all I could do was sit in silence, trying to calm the storm raging inside me.