2

The rest of Sophie's first day passed in a blur of orientation meetings and introductions, her mind constantly drawn back to that morning's encounter. By six PM, most of her colleagues had filtered out, leaving the office quiet except for the soft hum of electronics and distant city noise.

She stood at her office window, watching the sunset paint Manhattan's skylines in shades of amber and gold. The view was different here – higher, grander – but the sight of day fading into evening brought back memories of another office, another time.

Three Years Ago

"You're doing it again," Alexander's voice had carried amusement as he leaned against the doorframe of his startup's modest office. "Getting lost in the sunset instead of finishing those projections."

Sophie had turned to find him watching her with that particular softness he seemed to reserve just for her. His tie was loose, sleeves rolled up to reveal strong forearms, dark hair slightly mussed from running his fingers through it – a habit when he was deep in thought.

"I'm not lost," she'd protested, trying to ignore how the fading light played across his features. "I'm gathering inspiration. You're the one who said marketing is about selling dreams, not products."

He'd crossed the room then, coming to stand behind her. Close enough that she could feel his warmth, catch the subtle scent of his cologne. "And what dreams are you seeing out there, Sophie Chen?"

The memory dissolved as a door clicked shut somewhere in the present-day office. Sophie pressed her forehead against the cool glass, forcing herself back to reality. She couldn't afford to get lost in the past, not when her present was so precarious.

Her phone buzzed with a text from Lisa: "Sorry about the surprise this morning. Alex doesn't usually attend team meetings. Drinks tomorrow? We should talk."

Sophie stared at the message. Alex. The casual familiarity of it struck her – once, she'd called him Xander, the only one who did. Now he was Mr. Reid, and she was—

"Still admiring the view, Ms. Chen?"

Sophie's spine stiffened at that voice. She turned slowly, schooling her features into professional neutrality. Alexander stood in her doorway, his posture a dark mirror of that long-ago memory. But where the younger version had radiated warm possibility, this one emanated controlled power.

"Actually, I was just reviewing the market analysis for—"

"Save the pretense." He stepped into her office, closing the door behind him. "We both know why you're here."

Sophie's heart thundered against her ribs, but she kept her voice steady. "Yes. I'm here because I'm qualified for the position. My record at Thompson Media speaks for itself."

"Ah yes, Thompson." Alexander moved closer, each step deliberate. "Interesting choice, going to work for my oldest competitor right after leaving Vertex. Tell me, do all your career moves revolve around my business interests, or am I just special?"

The bitterness in his tone made her flinch. "I went where my skills were valued."

"Your skills." He gave a short, harsh laugh. "Is that what we're calling it now?"

Sophie lifted her chin, meeting his gaze directly. "If you doubt my qualifications, Mr. Reid, I'm happy to review my achievements over the past three years. Or you could just check my references – though I assume you already did that before hiring me."

Something flickered in his eyes – appreciation for her backbone, perhaps, or just surprise at her direct challenge. He moved to her desk, picking up the package of jasmine tea Jenny had delivered that morning.

"Your favorite," he said softly, turning the box over in his hands. "Some things don't change, do they?"

"Some things do." Sophie fought to keep her voice from trembling. "Like mysterious job offers that seem too good to be true. Tell me, did you personally oversee all the Senior Director hirings, or just mine?"

Alexander set the tea down with deliberate care. "You always were clever. It's what I—" He caught himself, jaw tightening. "It's what made you such an effective spy."

The accusation hung between them like poison gas. Sophie's fingers curled into fists at her sides, nails biting into palms. "If you brought me here for revenge—"

"Revenge?" Alexander's laugh held no humor. "What would be the point? The damage is done. The secrets you sold, the projects you compromised – ancient history now."

He moved closer, close enough that Sophie had to tilt her head back to maintain eye contact. Close enough to see the tiny flecks of gold in his green eyes, to catch the familiar scent of his cologne mixed with something deeper, darker.

"No, Sophie," he continued, her name like silk over steel, "I brought you here because I want to understand."

"Understand what?"

"How someone so brilliant could be so cruel." His voice dropped lower, intimate. "How the woman who spent nights helping me build my dreams could so easily sell them to the highest bidder."

Sophie's back hit the window. She hadn't realized she'd been retreating until she felt the cool glass through her blazer. Alexander braced one hand against the window beside her head, effectively caging her in.

"You never asked why," she whispered.

"Would the answer have changed anything?"

"Maybe everything."

For a moment, the mask slipped. Pain flashed across his features, raw and real, before being locked away again. He pushed off the window, putting distance between them.

"The board meets on Thursday. Have your Q3 strategy finalized by then." His voice was all business again, as if the last few minutes hadn't happened. "And Sophie?"

She forced herself to look at him.

"Don't think about running this time. Whatever game you're playing, whatever angle you're working – I'm not the same man you fooled three years ago."

He left before she could respond, the click of the door echoing in the silent office. Sophie slid down the window until she sat on the floor, her legs no longer able to support her.

On her desk, the jasmine tea sat like an accusation.

Or a promise.

She pulled out her phone, rereading Lisa's text. Maybe drinks tomorrow wasn't such a bad idea. She needed allies in this place, needed to understand the man Alexander had become in her absence.

Because he was right about one thing – she wasn't running this time.

Not when running had cost her everything the first time.

Not when staying might be her only chance to make him understand the truth.

Even if that truth might destroy them both.