Mariano Corporation wasn't as boring as I expected.It was stressful, loud, and full of people who walked like the floor was on fire.But at least it kept my brain busy enough so I didn't think about—
Nope.Don't say his name.
Today was supposed to be a normal day.Files. Coffee. Running around the building because interns basically don't exist.
But then Papa called me to his office.
He looked… nervous.
Not good.
"Mahal" he began, "we have a major partnership meeting today. Very important. I want you to attend with me."
"Me? Why?" I frowned.
"Training," he said too quickly.
He was lying.
The Mariano Corporation only brought interns to "training" when they were disposable.Which… okay, fair.I'm the newest one.
"Fine," I said, grabbing my notebook. "Which company are we meeting with?"
Papa hesitated.
Super not good.
"The… Watson Corporation."
My heart stopped.
Everything inside me froze — blood, thoughts, oxygen.
No.No.No.Not them.Not him.
I forced myself to swallow. "Oh."
Papa watched my face carefully. "If you don't want to attend—"
"No," I cut him off. "I can handle it."
Total lie.I was shaking.
But I needed to prove to myself that I wasn't running anymore.
The Meeting Room
Fancy. Cold.Long table. Big windows.My legs were trembling under the chair.
Executives filtered in.Investors.Assistants.
Then the door opened.
I didn't have to look up.I felt it.
His presence.That same electricity that used to make my heartbeat skip and race at the same time.
Keifer Watson walked in wearing a black suit, hair styled the way I always secretly liked, jaw clenched like the whole world owed him an apology.
He looked older.Sharper.Stronger.Colder.
But when his eyes found mine…
Everything inside me collapsed.
Shock.Relief.Anger.Something I didn't want to name.
He froze mid-step.
His throat bobbed.His breathing hitched.
He wasn't expecting me.
Good.
Maybe now he knows how it feels.
But God… seeing him again hurt way more than I thought it would.
His brothers entered behind him — Keiren waving excitedly at everyone, Keigan quiet and unreadable.
But Keifer…he didn't look away from me.
Not once.
The Meeting Starts
I tried to focus.Tried to take notes.Tried to pretend my heart wasn't slamming itself out of my chest.
But every time I looked down, my eyes drifted up again.
To him.
He looked furious.Not at the meeting.Not at the numbers.
At me.
Why?He's the one who messed up.He's the one who—
"Jay-Jay."
I jolted, realizing Papa was whispering to me.
"I need you to hand these documents to Mr. Watson."
Of course he did.The universe hates me.
I stood.Slow movements.Carefully breathing.
Keifer watched me approach like he was seeing a ghost.
When I placed the papers in front of him, our fingers almost touched.
Almost.
"Jay…" he whispered.
My entire body felt like it caught fire.
But I kept my voice steady.Cold.
"Mr. Watson," I corrected quietly.
He flinched.Actually flinched.
Good.
Maybe he deserves a little pain.
I turned away fast, refusing to look at him again.
But I could still feel his eyes burning into my back the entire meeting.
After the Meeting
Everyone began leaving.
But Keifer didn't move.
Neither did I.
We stood on opposite sides of the room, silence buzzing between us like a storm waiting to explode.
He finally spoke.
Soft.Rough.Broken.
"You really left."
My throat tightened.
"You really chased me away."
He closed his eyes like the words physically hurt him.
When he opened them again…I saw it.
Regret.Fear.Something else—something dangerous.
"Jay-Jay," he said quietly, "we need to talk."
I shook my head.
"No. We don't."
I walked away.
But as I stepped through the door, he whispered just loud enough for me to hear:
"You always come back to me."
I paused.
Just one second.
Because I hated how true it sounded.
But I didn't look back.
Not yet.