Remembered and forgotten

Lily

The day had finally come.

I had been at work for barely a week and had tried adjusting to my new space. With an office of my own and plenty of work to do, there was no time to mingle. I didn't mind, too engrossed in my new workload to be bothered.

But now something new has come up. A memo had arrived in the morning, stating an impromptu meeting with several partners. One which I had to attend.

And Alexander Sinclair, the CEO would be there.

I was looking forward to it with a mix of excitement and curiosity. Finally, I would come face to face with the man who had hired me.

As I entered the conference room, my heart was shaking with anticipation. The place held a long mahogany table surrounded by plush chairs. The large window offered a panoramic view of the cityscape.

I took my seat, adjusting the stack of papers and a sleek tablet that held the details of the meeting.

Moments passed, and the room gradually filled with the hushed murmurs of the arriving stakeholders. I glanced around, recognizing some of the faces from the hotel's upper management, Emily among them. Soon the room was filled.

Only one person was absent. I stared at the empty chair at the head of the table, the power seat left for one person.

The CEO.

The minutes ticked by, and there was no movement. Just as a sense of restlessness began to settle in, the door at the far end of the room swung open. A man came in, a strange aura filling the room at his entrance.

My breath caught in my throat as my eyes settled upon him.

From his figure alone, I could tell that he was the same person I had seen during my 'interview'. The familiar man I couldn't place.

The moment he looked at me however, I got all my answers.

Those eyes. Those blue eyes…

Memories rushed in like an ocean, filling the gaps and blurs of my birthday. The handsome man I had met at the club who I had dragged to dance. The nameless man I had spent the night with

His face. His hair. His body. Those eyes.

The realisation struck me like a bolt of lightning. How had I not connected the dots earlier?

My gaze followed him, a tumultuous jump rising the moment he sat at the sole empty seat.

The man I had slept with on my birthday—the very same enigmatic stranger I had shared that passionate night with was none other than the owner of Luminous Works, Alexander Sterling.

Dear god. I had slept with a CEO. My new Boss. Who I was working directly with.

Cold sweat clung to my skin, and my entire body froze in place.

He paid no attention to me, his focus entirely on the documents spread before him. His jet-black hair was styled, framing a face that bore the chiselled features.

His ocean-blue eyes, sharp and discerning, even from a distance.There was an intensity in his gaze, a depth that left me frozen as he stared at the others.

He exuded an undeniable aura of power, a commanding presence that held the room in thrall.

“Good day.”

Chills spread across my spine at the sound of his voice. With those two words, he seemed to command the entire room, holding me captive. Clearly I wasn't the only one affected from the way others straightened in response.

As the meeting progressed, I only barely focused on the words. Most of my attention was focused on him. I discreetly observed him from my seat, the shock of recognition slowly giving way to a surge of curiosity.

He remained engrossed in the proceedings, his focus unwavering. He never passed a glance at me, seemingly oblivious to my staring.

‘Did he know?' The question popped up. For so long I had wondered what that stranger had to do with my employment. If it even had anything to do with him. And now knowing who it was?

Did he choose me because of the night we spent together? Was I jumping to conclusions?

My heart raced as the meeting drew to a close, my gaze trailing him as he stood up from his seat, exiting the room.

There was no need for me to stay either. Grabbing my documents I followed his lead, rushing to meet him.

I raced to catch up to him in the empty hallway, when he suddenly stopped.

A small sigh or relief came when I slowed down, thankfully not bumping into him. The short moment morphed into trepidation the moment I looked up to find him facing me.

His eyes bored into mine, his expression as stony as his frame.

“Yes?" He asked, snapping me back to reality.

Suddenly all the words I thought of flew out of my mind. What was I supposed to say at this moment? Would I bring up the one night stand? Do I ask about the job or why he chose me?

“Thank you for the opportunity..sir?" I finally came up with, bowing slightly. Perhaps appreciation was all I needed.

I rose, meeting his blank expression. Suddenly he took a step closer, surprising me at our proximity.

What was he doing? I swallowed thickly, heart and mind racing. What was he going to say?

“Who are you?" he asked.

With those three words, my mind went blank. He didn't remember me?

I wasn't one to complain, considering that I had only recently recognized him but yet…

Pushing those thoughts away I shakily composed myself.

“Lilian Grace…Sir." I answered.

He said nothing, bringing more unease. Slowly his eyes trailed down my frame, scrutinizing me. I stood frozen as he did so, heat rushing to my cheeks.

“Your clothes.” he said monotonously.

I blinked, following his gaze down. I had worn a blue shirt and black skirt combo, formal for the office. Not a thing seemed out of place, yet as I looked back up, his face was still fixated there.

Was there something wrong?

He looked up back at me, a hardness to his eyes that gave me whiplash.

“Never wear trash like this the next time you're entering these walls.” he spat out.

I flinched, taking a step back from the harsh words.

Standing tall, he spoke

“This hotel is seen as a luxury. Every employee represents this hotel so long as they are within the premises. Cheap, dowdy frumpy dressing is not amongst any of that.”

His harsh words were a blow, sending me spiralling. All the excitement and curiosity shriveled away with his words.

“Understood?” He raised an eyebrow, his commanding tone demanding my answer.

Tears stung my eyes at his harsh reprimand. I swallowed through the knot in my throat before facing him.

“Yes sir." I bit out, fighting the urge to not cry.

Whether he saw my look or not he remained unfazed. I tamped down the sting. Perhaps there was something I could do to salvage this.

“Sir, is there anything you n-”

“There is nothing I need you to do for me.” he snapped.

His words were a punch, taking my breath away. I fell silent under his stare.

“I will call you to my office anytime I require any assistance and you will forward any important information to me. Aside from that, you work as usual.” he said, narrowing his eyes.

“I can only hope your skills are better than your dressing." he finished.

It was the final straw.

His icy blue eyes locked onto mine. Before I found them intriguing.

Now all I felt was coldness.

“Now get to work.” he commanded, turning without hesitation.

I watched his back as he left, heaviness settling in.

I had tried so hard to forget about the stranger only to find him as my boss. Even though I now knew he didn't remember me, I had expected…

I didn't know what I expected, but it wasn't this. Not the rude scathing words and commands that brought me close to tears.

An asshole. He was a total asshole.

I wanted to cry. Wanted to rage at his words. I wanted to curl up in my bedroom and never come out.

But I was in my workplace. Sucking in my breath, I turned away, aiming for my office.

At night, I couldn't sleep. I stared at my ceiling, the day's events swirling in my mind.

What I once thought was a sudden but unwelcomed revelation left a sour taste in my tongue now.

Alexander Sinclair. My one night stand and now my boss who didn't remember me.

I fisted the sheets tightly.

I shouldn't be angry. Knowing who he was I had no doubt that he had plenty of experiences like that. It was the same thing for me as well so I shouldn't be bothered.

Why should I care?

The reminder of his words still stung. I had received plenty of criticism, but never had I been so dressed down to such an extent.

I didn't tell Malina, I could hear her reaction in my head; scoffing as she rolled her eyes.

“What does he expect from you? To shine gold out of your ass?” she would ask.

I smiled at my imagination.

Well, it didn't change anything. Even though I knew who he was, he didn't remember me and that left no complications in my professional life. This was a job so surreal to get, and I wasn't going to risk losing it for anything.

Suddenly, a wave of nausea washed over me, cutting through my thoughts. My stomach churned with an intensity that left no room for hesitation.

In panic, I propelled myself out of bed and made a beeline for the bathroom.

I barely had time to reach the sink before I hurled out the contents of my stomach.

Each heave came violently and painfully, throwing my body further into the bowl. Only my hands gripping the place grounded me.

The moment it was over, I was gasping for breath whilst clutching the edge of the porcelain bowl. Finally opening my eyes to the mess I'd made, confusion and pain swirled.

What on earth?

I quickly switched on the tap, washing my face before watching the messy bile stains flush out.

My food was neither spoiled nor expired. There was no reason to react this way to something I was so used to eating. Moreover, it had come out of nowhere.

Was I sick? Was it a bug?

But I had no prior symptoms before and I never got sick easily either.

A sense of unease curled in me. My bathroom in its cold silence was the sole witness to it.