A stranger wearing a familiar face

We ended up in a dimly lit, abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of New York.

I sat motionless, my eyes fixed on Monty as he paced back and forth, phone pressed to his ears. Although this was a temporary refuge, it was only a matter of time before we'd have to move again. My life felt like a movie right now. If I wasn't so tired, I would have laughed.

"Yes I understand the risks," Monty was saying on the phone, his voice low and urgent. "But we're out of options. She needs his help. His the only one that can help her and you know this. So, please… find a way to make it happen. Please…".

My curiosity piqued. I knew he was talking to Chelsea but who were they talking about that was making him sound so confident? After what seemed like an eternity, Monty ended the call and turned to face me.

The line of his forehead seemed deeper than ever. For the first time, I wondered if I wasn't making a mistake in trying to fight for this. Maybe I should have just listened to Monty the first time and we would have been on our way out of the country.

"We have a meeting," he announced. "This evening. With someone who might be able to help us,".

I leaned forward, hope flickering in my chest for the first time since my temple run. "Who? One of Father's old business partners? I thought you said no one would help. That that Kane's the Carrington's wanted nothing to do with me and they're the only families I know that have nearly as much influence we have in New York,".

Monty hesitated, a strange hooded expression crossing his face. "Not exactly," he shrugged "It's…It's Mr Black,".

The name struck a familiar chord in my brain. "It sounds familiar. I'm sure I've heard that name before. He's the mysterious man right,".

"Yes," Monty nodded settling into a chair opposite me. "Mr Black operates in the shadows of New York. He's the NO 1 elite in New York and he has managed to keep his identity hidden while staying relevant for nearly three years. Even in the shadows, his influence touches everything and people will do anything just to get in his good books,".

My brows furrowed. "If he's mysterious and has a hidden identity, then how do you know him? And why would he help us?"

Monty exhaled as if steeling himself for what he was about to say. "Sienna, there's something you need to know about Mr Black," he paused, his shoulders slumped in defeat "He's … he's Sebastian Grey,".

The world seemed to tilt on its axis. "Sebastian?" I whispered as a shiver ran through my spine. "As in…".

"Your ex-fiance," Monty confirmed "The man you were engaged to three years ago,".

Memories flooded into my mind – stolen kisses in hidden places, all the promises we'd whispered to each other when we were young. The day he proposed to me, the gut-wrenching pain of our breakup. I had thought those wounds had healed but now they felt as fresh as ever. The last time I checked him up, he was the CEO of Grey Corps. Somehow, he had managed to turn around his bankrupt family company into something thriving.

And now he's Mr Black?

"But…how?" I struggled to reconcile the Sebastian I knew with the mysterious Mr Black. "He's the CEO of Grey Corps nowadays. How did he become Mr Black?"

Monty's expression turned grim. "A lot can change in three years, Sienna. After your breakup, Sebastian threw himself into his work. He made some savvy investments and formed the right alliances. Before long, he had built an empire that rivaled and overtook Sky Group,".

My head spun with all the information and questions. "But why the secrecy? Why become Mr Black when he could introduce himself to the world without questions,".

"I don't know," Monty sighed again. "Protection, perhaps," he mused. "Or maybe he found that operating from the shadows gave him more power. Either way, he's our best hope now and I've just secured a meeting with him,".

"No!" I said firmly, standing up and shaking my head. "Absolutely not, Monty. I have a sense of decency. We can't go to him. There has to be another way… another person? Maybe an alliance of my Father's abroad,".

Monty's expression was sympathetic but resolute. "Sienna, I understand your hesitation, but we're out of options. Sebastian has the resources and influence we need to clear your name,".

I paced the room, my mind racing. "You don't understand, Monty. What happened between Sebastian and me… it wasn't just a simple breakup. There's so much history, too much pain. He'll never agree to help me. It's a ruse, I promise,".

"He's already agreed to meet us," Monty said gently. "He had his secretary confirm that with Chelsea,".

I stopped in my tracks, turning to face, Monty with disbelief. "What? Why would he do that?"

Monty Shrugged. "Perhaps he still cares, despite everything that happened. Or maybe he sees this as an opportunity to help you. Either way, it's our best chance,".

I sank back into my chair, my head in my hands. The thought of facing Sebastian after all this time made my stomach churn. I had hurt him deeply, I knew that. The pain in his voice when he begged to meet me and how he called repeatedly in the days after the breakup… still haunted me.

"I can't Monty," I whispered. "I can't face him. Not after what I did,".

Monty moved to kneel beside my chair, his voice gentle but firm. "Listen to me, Sienna. I know you're scared. I know there's history between you and Sebastian and that complicates things but look at you, running and hiding at odd places. Do you think your uncle would spare you if he caught you? He wants to kill you… to put you away so that there'll be nothing else to stand on his path,".

"Uncle Philip is anything but a murderer, Monty," my eyes gathered with tears. I've tried so far not to think so of him. He was the only family I had left. I couldn't lose him completely.

"Fine!" Monty agreed with me "But right now, we need to focus on clearing your name and uncovering the truth about what your uncle has done at least. Every other thing is secondary, okay?"

I looked up at him, meeting Monty's steady gaze. I saw the concern there, but also the determination. He truly believed Sebastian was our only option.

"What if he refuses to help once he sees me?" I asked. "What if this is a plot to laugh and gloat at me or what if he decides to turn me in instead. I hurt him that much… so it'll be understood if it's revenge he seeks,".

"Sebastian may be many things and judging from the way he has managed Blackway Industries, he seems to be a man of his word. He agreed to this meeting knowing that it was you. I made sure I made that clear at least. That has to count for something,".

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. I thought about my current situation – branded a fraud and fake heiress, hunted by the police, my parents' legacy in the gutters. As much as the idea of facing Sebastian terrified me, it was better than letting the police catch up with me.

"Okay," I finally said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Okay, we'll meet with him. But Monty, you must promise me something?"

"Anything," he replied,".

"If things go wrong, if he refuses to help or if it seems like he might betray us…promise me we'll leave immediately. No arguments, no second chances. We will walk away and find another solution,".

Monty nodded solemnly. "You have my word,".

As I tried to sleep that morning, my mind raced with memories of Sebastian. His laugh, the warmth of his embrace, his emotions that were laid raw when I told him it was over. How would he react to seeing me again? And more importantly, would he be willing to help me after everything that had happened between us?

The Sebastian I remembered was kind, and ambitious with a smile that could light up a room. But would that Sebastian still exist? Or would I be facing a stranger wearing a familiar face?