1 PROLOGUE

The sky mirrors the fire burning along the horizon--a colorful cloudless combination of freedom. I sneaked through the window of my office and I sighed, "Can he still forgive me for what I did to him and his family?"

That question must be answered whenever the time our paths will meet again.

"Ma'am, we'll have a meeting in 10 minutes," I was shocked at the person who just entered my office and suddenly faced her.

"Ah, y-yes I'll follow," I smiled at my secretary and I sighed heavily.

When my secretary left, I arranged my things needed for the meeting. I slightly retouched and walked out of the office. It ruined my moment again, my goodness.

I was wearing my pleated maroon tie-neck Portofino shirt and a white coat partnered with high-waisted velvet skinny tuxedo pants and black pump heels. As I entered the boardroom, someone suddenly passed behind me and I was clueless who that person is.

"Oh! Nice to meet you again, Mr. Gonzales. It's good that you were able to attend the meeting. I thought you're busy," I glanced at him and he was wearing his white polo and a coat and tie with his black slack pants. I. AM. FROZE. THAT. FREAKING. TIME. Mr. Gonzales? Is it him? Why is he here?

My secretary approached me and she gestured me to sit down beside those business managers along with the room.

"Ma'am, are you okay? You look pale," my secretary asked worriedly. Everyone is watching and I could feel his cold stare as if he was feeling mixed emotions. Fudge it. I can't do this. Why would we ever meet in this kind of situation?

"I-I'm fine, now let's start the meeting. What's our agenda for today?" I asked the board members as I turn my attention to the front.

"Good morning. I would like to meet you all, Mr. Asher Amory Gonzales our new President of Business Development," I was shocked and surprised by the announcement of our board director.

I was holding my pen and it suddenly dropped on the floor. My legs are shaking right now. "Is there any problem Ms. Perez?" I hurriedly picked up my pen and sit up properly.

"None sir, continue," I was just listening at the meeting and taking some notes but I just can't concentrate because he's staring at me. He's just freaking on the other side of the table.

Even though the boardroom was air-conditioned, I was sweating while my knees were shaking. I sighed heavily when I remember the times when we're together, our moments, our fights, and our dreams that we would have fulfilled at the same time but it did not. Destiny just played with us.

"I'll ask Ms. Perez as the Vice President of Business Development and Director of Strategic Partnerships, do you have any suggestions and queries?"

What? I don't know what they're talking about. I'm destructed by his stares. His gaze was deadly, swear. Why is he handsome? Shocks! No, Claire. Don't forget the mistake you've done.

"N-no ah, I-it's fine. The decision is okay with me. However, make sure everyone to complete all the reports and upcoming partnership secured and well built. A-and I welcome you, Mr. Gonzales," I smiled awkwardly and glanced at him intently looking at me.

"Thank you, Ms. Perez. I hope we can do teamwork this time," wait! What? I just smiled at him and fixed my things.

"Okay, the meeting adjourned everyone. Thank you for your time," as the board of directors said that, I stood up from my chair and wait for all of them to come out. I don't even know if he gets out of the room. I took my things and was about to walk to the door but someone grabbed my wrist.

"Who the he--" is he still here? No way.

"Nice to see you again, Claire," I faced him and his eyes met mine. Those eyes that I fell in love with. Those eyes catch my attention. Those eyes revealed the truth.

I can't move where I'm standing, maybe someone will see us here. This isn't the right time to talk. Not yet. I'm not yet ready.

"Let me go," I said softly to him and he slowly removed his hand from my wrist.

"You're not escaping me this time, Claire. Not this time. Until it's just you and me. I no longer care about hindrances. Remember that," the sincerity of his voice just snapped me to reality. Why is he doing this to me?

I left him there in a hurry and ran into my office. I clicked the lock button and lean on the door of my office.

"You're not escaping me this time, Claire. Not this time. Until it's just you and me. I no longer care about hindrances. Remember that."

That particular line he said keeps reiterating and bothering my mind. What's the reason? Is he back for revenge? No. He can't do that, because as far as I know, I was the one who made a mistake. He will never forgive me. No matter how I'm tied into love, there's still pain.

I will do everything and accept it with closed eyes. . .

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