Chapter 6 Elevator Reunion

Five Years After

“Hello dear…” Mr. Julian’s smiling face greeted me the moment I walked into his office.

“Good morning, sir,” I smiled broadly and sat in the chair opposite him.

“Look who is ready to secure a contract for us.”

“Oh sir…” I laughed, the sound bubbling out of me. I was dressed in a tailored black suit and trousers, my hair pulled tightly into a neat bun at the back of my head. My red lipstick was sharp, and deliberate. Controlled. I looked like a woman who had her life together, even if some days it still felt like an act.

“You ready?” he asked, pulling out a file. “I forgot to give you this. Just quickly brief yourself, okay? I’ll be back.”

He tapped my shoulder gently and shut the door quietly behind him.

I released a slow breath and opened the file.

This wasn’t the first time I would be attending meetings on Mr. Julian’s behalf, but this one felt different. He wanted to expand operations in New York and wanted me to lead the project. I would be staying for an unknown length of time. He knew my past and had assured me I would be safe. He was also a powerful man with deep connections.

Bruno had also told me he hadn’t seen Johnson since the night everything ended. He doubted Johnson was still in the city.

Still, my chest felt tight.

I exhaled again, annoyed at myself. Why was I suddenly a nervous wreck? It’s just the city, I told myself, forcing my focus back to the file. I began skimming through the documents, mentally adding points to my presentation slides.

“How is it going, my dear?” Mr. Julian’s voice broke through my thoughts.

He walked in holding two steaming cups of coffee, placing one beside me. The rich aroma instantly filled the office.

“Why didn’t you ask me to do this?” I said, sipping from the cup and letting the warmth spread through me. “This is so good,” I sighed with a smile.

“You see why you should allow me make this?” he said, smiling proudly.

Mr. Julian wasn’t just a boss to me. He was a father figure. People always assumed I was his daughter when they saw us together, and he never corrected them.

“I think I’ve found some useful things to add to my presentation,” I said, turning my laptop toward him.

His eyes scanned the slides, nodding as he went through them.

“This is good. Great,” he said, his eyes lighting up. “You could also add this.”

He typed swiftly, then turned the laptop back to me.

I stared at the addition, my mind instantly racing. “How did I miss this?” I exclaimed. “Oh my goodness.”

He shook his head in mock disapproval. “Don’t do that, darling. You’ve already done something beautiful. That was just a sprinkle.”

He gestured playfully, and I laughed.

“The driver is outside waiting, okay?”

I exhaled again as he took my hands. “I know what you can do,” he said, squeezing them reassuringly.

I stood, shut down my laptop, and picked up my bag. As I turned toward the door, he called out.

“And Betty.”

I paused.

“I set up a date for you. Five p.m.”

“Ooooooh,” I groaned, frowning.

He rolled his eyes and waved me out.

The office space was small and modest, a makeshift setup, so every part was closely tight. Mr. Julian had been trying to set me up with men for three years now. He insisted I needed some loving. But I wasn’t interested in that part of life. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

“Good morning, ma’am,” Gerald greeted politely as he opened the car door.

“Good morning,” I smiled as I got in.

The car pulled into New York City traffic.

Almost instantly, my nerves flared again. This time, my heart began to pound too fast.

Relax, Betty. It’s just a meeting. You’ve done this countless times, I told myself.

But my body refused to listen. The air inside the car suddenly felt suffocating.

“Gerald, please can you open the window?” I asked.

“Ma’am, the air conditioner is on,” he replied, glancing at me through the mirror.

“I know. Just open it. I need fresh air.”

Sweat had already begun to form on my forehead. He noticed immediately, pulling over in front of a mall and rolling the windows down.

“Thank you,” I muttered, leaning forward and closing my eyes.

The breeze hit my face, grounding me.

Johnson is not out there. You can do this. You need to do this for your child. Your job matters.

I inhaled deeply, then straightened.

“Let’s go, Gerald,” I said, determination settling into my voice.

He nodded and eased the car back into traffic.

“Increase the speed.” I said, we locked eyes through the mirror and I nodded. Soon, we arrived at the conference hall.

The skyscraper towered above us, glass and steel stretching into the sky, reflecting the clouds like a polished mirror. It screamed power, money, ambition.

Gerald opened the door and reached for my bag.

“It’s fine, Gerald,” I said, flashing him a smile.

Lifting my chin, I walked toward the entrance.

Inside, everything gleamed. Marble floors, hushed voices, polished surfaces. I located the elevator immediately and stepped in, checking my wristwatch.

Ten minutes early.

Satisfied, I nodded to myself.

The elevator doors slid open again.

And everything stilled.

Right in front of me was my nightmare from the past. Johnson stepped inside.

The moment our eyes collided, his face drained of color.