The Unexpected Encounter

/Ethan's POV/

SIX YEARS LATER

I sat in my car, surrounded by the city's evening shadows. The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the soft hum of distant traffic.

I held my phone, staring at the picture plastered on the screen. It was a picture of Annabelle and me. Annabelle's bright smile radiated beside me, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at me, holding onto my hands as if they were a lifeline. My expression, however, was cold, emotionless, and detached.

I remember that day vividly; my grandfather forced me to take a picture with Annabelle shortly after the wedding. "Create memories," he'd said, but I'd been angry, livid in fact.

And now, when I'd give anything to see that smile again, even a glimpse of it, it was impossible. She was gone, and it was my fault.

As I gazed at the phone, my hands tightened around the phone, my grip almost crushing.

*************FLASHBACK*****************

"Where is he?!" Diane's voice echoed in the room, her voice laced with venom as she burst into my office.

Rachel trailed behind her, trying to stop her. "I swear, sir, I tried to stop her," she said, her eyes oozing with fear.

"It's fine. You can go"

I rose from my chair, my eyes locked on Diane's fiery gaze. "What's the meaning of this?" I demanded, my voice low and even.

Diane's chest heaved, her words spilling out in a rush. "You think you can just sit there composed and untouched after what you did to Annabelle? You think you can just..."

"And who are you? Her spokesperson? You know it's so funny how difficult it is for you and your friend to just accept reality. How do you intend to force someone who doesn't want you on you?" Penelope cut her off, her eyes locked with Diane as she stood up from the chair she had been sitting a while ago.

Diane's voice flashed with anger, her face twisted in rage. "Shut up you whore! This has nothing to do with you, and I promise you the next time you bitch in when I'm talking, you'd live to regret it."

"Diane, that's enough! " my voice echoed in the room.

Diane's face snapped towards me, her anger unabated. "No, Ethan, it's not enough! You have destroyed Annabelle, and now you're parading this... this," she gestured at Penelope, "around?"

"I know you didn't love her Ethan. But you still didn't have to lead her to her early grave," she continued, tears now forming in her eyes.

"What are you talking about?" I asked as a chill ran down my spine.

"Exactly what I said, Ethan! Annabelle is dead, and you killed her. You killed my best friend! " She screamed, her tears now falling uncontrollably.

"H... Ho...How " I stuttered, unable to form any words as the revelation from Diane dawned on me.

"You know what? Just hold it! You both deserve each other," she muttered, wiping the tears that threatened to fall down her cheeks as she walked out, leaving me speechless with my heart pounding furiously like I had run a marathon.

************ END OF FLASHBACK ****************

"Boss... Boss," Shenley, my assistant, said in her voice, bringing me back into reality.

"What's the matter?" I asked, a little bit frustrated that she had interrupted my thoughts.

"I just got an email from Apex Advertising. The meeting has been postponed by about 2 hours, " she replied. "Do we just go back to your suite, or do we proceed to the venue regardless? "

I had a crucial business meeting. Rico, my cousin, was the managing director of Apex Advertising; we'd been discussing a potential partnership for months. Their expertise in digital marketing would help to complement our existing services perfectly. The meeting was important.

I took a deep breath, shaking off my memories. "Let's head to the venue. We'd just use the extra time to prep"

Shenley nodded, her gaze sympathetic." Sir, are you okay though?... You seem distracted,"

I gazed out the window, the city blurring together. "I'm fine, Shenley. I just have a lot on my mind. "

*********************************

"What's the meaning of this? Rico knows better than to keep me waiting, " I said as I tapped my foot impatiently on the polished marble floor, my eyes fixed on the sleek, sliver watch on my wrist.

It was 2:47 pm, an hour past the scheduled time of the meeting.

"I apologise, Mr Thompson. Mr Mathews and Miss Thomas are running late, but they will be with you shortly," she assured for the third time, which seemed to send my insides reeling.

I raised my eyebrows, my tone even but laced in annoyance. "Shortly? That's what you said about 30 minutes ago, "

She nodded curtly. "I understand sir please bear with us,"

"I hope they have a good explanation for keeping me waiting, "I replied, my gaze returning to my watch.

The door drifted open all of a sudden, and Rico's annoying voice filled the air, his voice laced with amusement. "We are sorry for keeping you waiting, Mr Thompson," Rico said, holding the door open for his partner to walk in.

"You better have a..." I started, but my words stopped in my throat as I saw the person who walked into the room after him. A familiar pair of almond eyes that I never expected to see again stared right back at mine.

"Annabelle? "