2. A Familiar Stranger

The next evening, Amelia stood in front of the mirror in her modest apartment, smoothing down the front of her dark blue dress. It wasn’t ostentatious but had an understated elegance that suited her current mood: guarded, determined, but still reeling from the events of the day before. She’d spent hours questioning why Adrian Black, a man whose name was synonymous with power, wanted to meet her.

As she adjusted her earrings, her phone buzzed with a message:

“Your car is waiting downstairs. – Adrian Black”

“You arranged a car?”

“I told you I would. Promptness is important to me.”

He hadn’t sent a driver’s name or a car description, but when she stepped outside, there was no mistaking the sleek black sedan idling by the curb. The chauffeur stepped out, opening the door for her with a polite nod.

The ride to the restaurant was silent except for the hum of the engine. Amelia’s mind churned with speculation, her gaze flickering between the passing city lights and the polished leather seats.

When they arrived, she found herself in front of Étoile, an exclusive French restaurant perched on the edge of the city’s waterfront. The kind of place she’d only ever read about in glossy magazines. Amelia hesitated. She hadn’t stepped foot in a place like this since Ethan had dragged her to networking dinners she hadn’t wanted to attend. The memory stung, but she pushed it aside. She wasn’t here for Ethan. She was here for herself.

She stepped inside, her heels clicking against the polished marble floor, and was immediately greeted by a host who seemed to know exactly who she was.

A suited maître d’ greeted her with a polite smile. “Ms. Hayes? Mr. Black is expecting you.”

Her stomach fluttered at the mention of Adrian Black’s name. She nodded, following him through the labyrinth of tables to a private dining area secluded by thick velvet curtains.

Adrian Black was already there, standing by the floor-to-ceiling window that offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline reflected in the inky waters below. His tailored charcoal-gray suit fit him perfectly, accentuating his broad shoulders and imposing presence. His piercing gray eyes lifted to meet hers as she approached, and his lips curled into a faint, almost predatory smile.

“Ms. Hayes,” he greeted, his deep voice as commanding as she remembered from the phone call. “Thank you for coming.”

“Mr. Black,” she replied, her tone carefully neutral.

“Please,” he gestured toward the chair opposite him. “Sit.”

The table was set for two, with candles casting a warm glow over the crisp white tablecloth. Amelia hesitated for a fraction of a second before taking her seat. Adrian joined her, his movements fluid and deliberate, like a predator circling its prey.

“Thank you for meeting me,” he began, his dark eyes fixed on her. “I know the timing might seem unconventional.”

“That’s one word for it,” Amelia said, folding her hands in her lap. “I have to admit,” she began, forcing a polite smile, “I’m curious why someone like you would reach out to me.”

Adrian chuckled, the sound low and rich. “Fair. But I believe in seizing opportunities when they arise.”

The simplicity of his answer caught her off guard. She opened her mouth to respond, but the arrival of the waiter interrupted her thoughts.

“Shall we start with wine?” Adrian asked, glancing at her.

She nodded, and he ordered a vintage red that sounded expensive enough to make her pulse quicken.

As the waiter disappeared, Adrian’s attention returned fully to her. “Tell me, how are you holding up after everything?”

Amelia stiffened. “You mean after my husband decided to throw away our marriage for someone else?”

His lips quivered into a wry smile. “Yes. That.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You seem to know a lot about my personal life, Mr. Black.”

He tilted his head, the faintest flicker of amusement dancing in his eyes. “It’s my business to know things, Amelia. But rest assured, my interest in you is purely professional. For now.”

She didn’t miss the way his gaze briefly lingered on her, as though he were daring her to challenge him.

“Professional! And what kind of professional interest do you have in me?” she asked, her voice steady despite the nerves fluttering in her chest.

He leaned back, studying her with an intensity that made her feel as though he could see straight through her. “Your talent, for one. I’ve seen the deals you’ve closed, the contracts you’ve negotiated. Your work at Cavendish was exceptional. Your ex-husband underestimated you. I won’t make the same mistake.”

Amelia’s jaw tightened at the mention of Cavendish, but she didn’t interrupt.

The waiter returned with their wine, and they fell into a brief silence as the glasses were poured. Amelia took a sip, savoring the rich flavor, though her mind was racing.

“What exactly are you proposing, Mr. Black?” she asked, setting her glass down.

“Adrian,” he corrected smoothly. “And I’m proposing an opportunity for you to reclaim what’s yours and more.”

Her brow furrowed. “I don’t understand.”

Adrian’s smile widened, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Ethan Cavendish built his empire on the back of your hard work. Your skills are impressive, Amelia. But more importantly, your instincts are unparalleled.”

She blinked, taken aback. “You’ve reviewed my work?”

“Thoroughly,” he confirmed, his tone almost nonchalant. “I want you to work for me as a strategic advisor for Black Enterprises.”

Amelia stared at him, her mind spinning. “You’re offering me a job?”

Adrian’s smile turned enigmatic. “I’m offering you a partnership, Amelia. But make no mistake, this isn’t charity. I expect results.”

“You want me to jump from one corporate empire to another?” she asked, arching an eyebrow.

“I want you to use your skills to their fullest potential,” he replied, his gaze unwavering. “At Cavendish, you were shackled by Ethan’s ambitions. With me, you’ll have autonomy, resources, and a chance to rebuild your career on your own terms.”

“And what do you get out of this?” she asked cautiously.

Adrian’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I don’t make offers without expecting a return on my investment. I believe you’ll be an asset to my company, and I rarely misjudge people.”

As the conversation continued, Amelia couldn’t shake the feeling that Adrian knew far more about her than he was letting on. He referenced details about her work, her strategies, even her preferences in negotiation tactics, with an ease that was unsettling.

The rest of the evening passed in a blur. Amelia noticed Adrian’s uncanny ability to steer the dialogue. He asked questions that probed at her talents and experiences but never crossed into uncomfortable territory. His words were measured, his tone disarmingly sincere, but his intensity never wavered. Yet beneath his polished exterior, there was something else, a familiarity she couldn’t place.

As the dinner wound down, Adrian escorted her to the waiting car he had arranged. Before she stepped inside, he leaned in close, his voice a low murmur.

“Think about my offer. You have potential, Amelia. More than you realize. Don’t let anyone including Ethan convince you otherwise.”

Her breath hitched as his words resonated deep within her.

As the car pulled away, Amelia stared out the window, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. Adrian Black wasn’t like anyone she had ever met. Adrian Black was a man of mystery, a man who seemed to know more about her than she knew about herself. His confidence bordered on arrogance, but it was rooted in something undeniable, power. And yet, despite the unease he stirred within her, she couldn’t deny the pull she felt toward him.

Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts.

“Where are you? Can I come over?”

Amelia sighed. Sarah had been her rock since the divorce bombshell, but her energy could be overwhelming. Still, the thought of sitting alone in her apartment with her swirling thoughts was worse.

“Come by. I’ll open a bottle of wine.”

By the time Sarah arrived, Amelia had changed into more casual clothes and was curled up on the couch, flipping through channels without paying attention.

“Wine!” Sarah announced, stepping inside and dropping her purse onto the floor. “And tell me everything about your mysterious dinner.”

Amelia poured them each a glass and hesitated before speaking. “It was unexpected. Adrian Black wants me to work for him.”

Sarah froze mid-sip. “Wait. The Adrian Black? The one everyone in the corporate world either fears or worships?”

“Yes.”

“This could be huge for you. But are you sure it’s not some elaborate power play? Guys like him don’t just ‘help’ people out of the kindness of their hearts.”

“I don’t know what his real motives are,” Amelia admitted. “But he seems genuine. And honestly? I can’t go back to the life I had. This feels like an escape.”

Sarah nodded slowly. “Just be careful. Men like Adrian Black are dangerous in ways you can’t always see.”

Amelia didn’t need the warning. She already knew Adrian was dangerous, but she couldn’t deny the allure of his offer.

Later that night, Amelia sat on her balcony, staring out at the city lights. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something about Adrian Black was deeply personal. She spent hours researching him, combing through articles and interviews, but found nothing that hinted at a prior connection.

The next day, Amelia walked into Cavendish Corporation one final time to collect her personal belongings. The office felt cold and foreign, no longer the space where she had poured years of effort.

As she packed, she felt eyes on her. Looking up, she saw Ethan standing in the doorway, his arms crossed and a smug smile on his face.

“Finally taking your leave?” he asked.

“Just collecting what’s mine,” Amelia replied, keeping her tone neutral.

“Good,” he said, stepping closer. “You always did have a habit of overstaying your welcome.”

Her jaw clenched, but she forced herself to remain calm.

“I hear you had dinner with Adrian Black,” Ethan continued, his tone turning mocking. “What, are you hoping he’ll be your knight in shining armor?”

“Actually,” Amelia said, meeting his gaze with a calm she didn’t feel, “he values my skills. Something you never did.”

Ethan’s expression darkened. “Be careful, Amelia. Adrian Black isn’t the savior you think he is.”

She chuckled, ignoring his words and grabbed her last box and pushed past him without another word.

She let out a breath as she settled in her car. She was about to start it when her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen. Another email from Adrian Black.

Subject: The Next Step

Amelia,

I hope you’re ready to make a decision. Opportunities like this don’t wait forever. Join me tomorrow morning at Black Tower, 9 a.m. sharp. No more hesitations.

— Adrian

Her pulse quickened as she read the message. Adrian wasn’t a man who accepted excuses.