LOVE ME AGAIN

The soft chime of the elevator announced a new arrival, but I didn't bother looking up from my desk. Mondays were always the busiest, and with the upcoming merger between my company, Vortex Technologies, and a rival firm, I had no time for distractions. My fingers flew over the keyboard as I finalized the budget proposal for the meeting that was scheduled to start in ten minutes.

That was when the door to my office opened.

I barely registered the sound at first, engrossed in the spreadsheet on my screen. But when the presence in the room didn't announce itself, an odd sensation crept over me - an unshakable feeling that something was off.

"Miss Evans?"

The voice was smooth, commanding, and far too familiar. It sent a jolt through me, as if I'd been shocked by a live wire. Slowly, I lifted my head, and the sight before me made my breath catch in my throat.

There he was - Ethan Cross, the man who had been my everything until he wasn't. Five years had passed since I last saw him, and yet, seeing him now was like ripping open a wound that had barely healed.

He stood there, tall and imposing, dressed in a charcoal suit that screamed power and wealth. His dark hair was slicked back, and those piercing blue eyes - eyes that had once looked at me with such tenderness - were now cold, calculating.

"Ethan," I whispered, more to myself than to him. The name felt foreign on my tongue, as though it belonged to someone else's life, not mine.

He didn't smile. "It's been a long time, Mia."

A long time? It was a lifetime ago - a different era when I was naive enough to believe in fairy tales. When Ethan Cross had been just a man with dreams, not the ruthless billionaire standing in front of me.

"What are you doing here?" I managed to ask, my voice steadier than I felt.

He glanced around my office, his gaze lingering on the framed photo on my desk. The one where I was beaming, holding my degree with pride. But his attention quickly returned to me, his expression unreadable.

"I'm here for the merger, of course," he said, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. "But more importantly, I'm here for you."

My heart skipped a beat, and I cursed myself for the reaction. This was not the time to let emotions cloud my judgment. I had worked too hard, sacrificed too much, to let the past ruin everything now.

"You're the CEO of Phoenix Corp," I said, as the realization dawned on me. Phoenix Corp was the rival company we were merging with - a deal that could make or break Vortex Technologies. And now, the man who held my future in his hands was the same man who had shattered my heart.

"That's right," he confirmed, stepping closer. The scent of his cologne - a mix of sandalwood and something darker - filled the room, bringing back memories I'd tried desperately to forget. "And I've made it my priority to ensure that this merger goes smoothly. For both our companies."

His words were professional, but there was an undercurrent to them, something that hinted at unfinished business between us. Business that had nothing to do with corporate mergers and everything to do with the pain we'd left unresolved.

"Is that all?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. I needed to keep this about business, to stay focused on what mattered now. But Ethan had a way of disarming me, of making me feel like the ground beneath my feet was always shifting.

He tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing. "We both know it's not. I've made mistakes, Mia. But I'm not the same man I was back then. And from what I hear, you're not the same woman."

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. "You're right, I'm not. I'm stronger. And I don't make the same mistake twice."

He didn't flinch at my words, but something flickered in his eyes - regret, perhaps? "I came here to make things right," he said softly, his voice almost vulnerable. "For the company, and for us."

"There is no us, Ethan," I said, my voice firm. "Not anymore."

For a moment, neither of us spoke. The tension in the room was palpable, the air thick with unspoken words and lingering resentment. Then, he nodded, as if accepting my declaration.

"Maybe not," he conceded, though his tone suggested he wasn't entirely convinced. "But that's why I'm here - to change your mind."

"There's nothing to change, Ethan!" I voiced out with my heart still pounding. "What happened in the past has happened and nothing can change that."

He stared at me as if he had some fetish plans, his deep eyes locking with mine gave my soul away as something began to stare like love.

"Mia, don't let your emotions get in the way again. Once bitten twice shy!" I whispered to myself.

Before I could say a word, he grabbed my waist with his face almost placed on mine. His grip was strong enough, and the tension between us arose. His touch was like fire - a burning sensation I desire. "I've missed you, Mia. Mia Amor"

I tried to say a word but my back was pressed against my desk and his words were soothing. I couldn't lie, I missed him too. I mean, just the romantic side of him but each time I think about what he did to me, my whole heart falls into pieces.

"Let's get this work done and at the same time make our love strong again,"

With that, he turned and left my office, leaving me standing there, my heart pounding in my chest. The man who had once been my everything was back, and this time, he was determined to rewrite our story.

But I wasn't the same woman who had fallen for Ethan Cross all those years ago. I was stronger now, more guarded. And I wasn't sure I was ready to give him a second chance.