First Meeting

Ashley 

I checked my watch, it was half past six in the evening. The streets were filled with people who had just left their workplace. The hustle and bustle made the city far more interesting. The white neon sign of the restaurant illuminated the place. 

With a deep breath, I entered. I was intentionally late for the meeting. I know the etiquette of the business world, being on time was late, and being late was questionable and a sign of disrespect. I was hoping he got the signal and already left. 

As I entered the restaurant lounge, the receptionist bowed and greeted me with a polite smile. The restaurant only took reservations with each dining table being a private and confidential room. There was no walk-in dining with thirty tables. It was popular among the general public to the point that booking needed to be six months in advance. My father might be cruel but no one can deny his excellency in business. 

“I have a reservation with Mr. Heinsberg,” I informed her, and she nodded, taking me to the room located at the furthest corner of the corridor. 

The receptionist opened the door, and my sight fell on the man sitting there, his back towards me. 

‘Zack..’ The name flashed across in my mind, that I had tucked at the deepest corner of my mind for so long. There was no way-

The man slowly turned, hearing the door open, and my whole world crumbled. It was him. I was not wrong. Out of all the people, it was him…

Ten years ago…

Ashley

“Zack, I like you…” I took a glance at the guy that stood before me. His dark hair covered his forehead. His silver-framed glasses hide those pale icy eyes that can cause burning to my heart. Everything about him screamed perfection. 

His face was calm and unreadable, so serene like the moon in the clear night sky. I didn't believe in falling in love with him; I wanted to believe in love with him. Today was the farewell, and I might never see him again. This was the last chance I could confess my feelings. A little me hoped he would like me back after everything. There was no way he would do those if he didn't like me at all. 

As the silence became increasingly longer, waiting for his answer he turned around leaving without any word spoken. The leaving silhouette was all I needed as an answer. 

***

Present time…

Ashley 

I sat across the guy I once loved enough to change my ideology. But it was he who proved to me that love ruins people. Now here he was, seated just across from me, ordering food. 

“Don't add carrot, cilantro, and cinnamon to any of the food.” He added.

A string clenched my heart, almost making it impossible to breathe. Why? Why did he remember these things? What exactly was he doing? There was no way, he didn't know he was arranged to me among out of all people. The calm mask and polite smile I put on were threatening to fall off. Don't give him the upper hand, Ashley. Act like you forget his existence. 

“Mr. Heinsberg.” I let out a polite smile. 

“Call me Zack,” He cut me off. “Like you always did.” He mumbled just audible enough but I heard it. The churning feeling in my stomach grew stronger, as the suffocation paralyzed my lungs.

“ I am afraid we are not that close. I just came here to say. I have no interest in marrying you or anyone else. I plan to be a nun.” I responded, with utmost politeness and respect. Acting like a stranger just like he did was the perfect answer I could think of. He was just a marriage prospect, nothing from the past. A stranger. 

I got up, ready to leave. Staying there this long was suffocating. The clenching feeling in my heart didn't help as I gulped down my bile. 

“Leah…” The name severed the last thread holding my mask, without the calm mask shattered. I glared at him, I could feel my vision blurred by my tears. After ten years, he returned. Eight years of memories, eight years we spent together from holding each other to having our first kiss under the willow tree in the moonlight to me confessing and him leaving without a word. 

No one called me Leah except him, no one dared to and no one dared to call him Zack other than me. The memories that I locked in the furthest corner of my mind had suddenly spilled open. 

No, I can't cry. I can't let him win. Calm down, Ashley. I can't let him have the upper hand after everything. 

“My apologies. I need to use the washroom.” I excused myself, hurrying out of the room before he said anything. 

I locked the stall of the bathroom, and a surge of emotions flooded my memory. What was happening? This must be a dream, right? There was no way out of eight billion people in this world he was here? Why? Why him?

Tears rolled down my cheeks, as every little memory crushed my soul. He was the man who made me believe in love but for him to shatter it all to crumble down to him seeing this weak version of me. No! I can't let that happen. 

I wiped off the leftover tears from my cheeks,” Breathe, Ashley.” I reminded myself, taking a few deep breaths to calm my nerves as I walked out of the bathroom stall. There was no point holding those past. There was nothing, just scars that refused to heal. Being weak was not an option I had. 

I soothe my black dress, clear up my makeup, and reapply my mascara and lipstick before walking back out. I rechecked once again that might give any sign of weakness. I returned to the room, the waiter was serving food, and giving a curt bow out of courtesy before leaving the room. Her eyes dangled at Zack way too long as she left the room. 

It didn't take one to put two and two together to get that she was interested in the man sitting at the table. How can she not? He was the epitome of perfection. The prince charming of a girl's dream. 

In dark walnut hairs, well settled. The glasses that were set rested at a high bridge, the face like the moon in the clear sky. Eyes dark ebony ready to suck your soul. His lean yet muscular build fitting into his navy suit like mould carved just to fit his body.

Zachary noticed my presence by the door, his brows frowned together, “Ashley, why are you standing there?” 

The silvery and gentle voice brought me back with a sudden jolt, “Mr. Heinsberg, I think I already informed you of my intentions. I hope you can refuse this marriage too. Well, then Goodbye.” I spoke, staying there longer was just going to hurt this more. I grabbed my bag that I left earlier before I turned around to leave.

“What if I tell you I will make sure you become the next chairman of Cooper Groups!”