The Unexpected Encounter

Chapter Three: The Unexpected Encounter

Elizabeth sat on the edge of her bed, the events of the day replaying in her mind. The audacity of her actions—the proposal to a complete stranger—seemed surreal. She had acted on impulse, driven by a mix of desperation and a desire to escape the suffocating grip of her past. Now, as she sat alone in her room, the weight of her decision began to settle in.

Her phone buzzed, breaking the silence. She glanced at the screen: an unknown number. Hesitant, she answered.

“Hello?” she said, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

“Good evening, is this Miss Elizabeth Hastings?” a woman’s voice inquired.

“Yes, speaking,” Elizabeth replied, her curiosity piqued.

“This is Karin, Mr. Simeon Blackwood’s personal assistant. He would like to meet with you at your earliest convenience,” the voice continued.

Elizabeth’s heart skipped a beat. Simeon Blackwood? The name was unfamiliar, and she couldn’t recall any prior interactions. “I’m sorry, but I don’t believe we’ve met,” she said, confusion evident in her tone.

Karin chuckled softly. “Ah, I see. Mr. Blackwood is the gentleman you proposed to earlier today. He was quite taken aback by your boldness and would like to discuss the matter further.”

Elizabeth’s mind raced. The man she had impulsively proposed to was someone of significance? She had no idea. “I… I didn’t realize,” she stammered. “When would he like to meet?”

“He’s available tomorrow at 10 AM. Will that work for you?” Karin asked.

“Yes, that should be fine,” Elizabeth agreed, still processing the revelation.

“Excellent. I’ll send you the details shortly. We look forward to your visit,” Karin concluded before hanging up.

Elizabeth sat back, her thoughts swirling. She had no idea who this man was, but the fact that he was interested in meeting her piqued her curiosity. She glanced at the clock—it was already late. She needed rest. Tomorrow promised to be an eventful day.

The next morning, Elizabeth stood before the towering glass building, its sleek design reflecting the morning sun. The address on the invitation matched the one on the building’s plaque: Blackwood Enterprises. She had heard of the company but knew little about it. Taking a deep breath, she entered the lobby.

A receptionist greeted her with a warm smile. “Good morning. How may I assist you?”

“I’m here to see Mr. Simeon Blackwood,” Elizabeth replied, handing over the invitation.

The receptionist’s eyes widened slightly, but she quickly masked her surprise. “Of course, Miss Hastings. Please have a seat. Mr. Blackwood is expecting you.”

Elizabeth sat in the plush waiting area, her nerves on edge. She had no idea what to expect. After what felt like an eternity, a door opened, and a tall, impeccably dressed man stepped out. His presence was commanding, and his sharp features exuded confidence. He approached Elizabeth with a measured pace.

“Miss Hastings?” he inquired, his voice smooth and authoritative.

“Yes,” Elizabeth replied, standing to greet him.

“I’m Simeon Blackwood,” he introduced himself, extending a hand.

Elizabeth shook his hand, noting the firmness of his grip. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said, though she felt anything but at ease.

“Shall we?” Simeon gestured toward the door he had just exited.

They entered a spacious office adorned with modern art and floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the city. Elizabeth took a seat across from his sleek, minimalist desk.

Simeon sat down, his gaze fixed on her. “I must admit, your proposal was unexpected,” he began, his tone both amused and intrigued. “Most people don’t approach me with such… directness.”

Elizabeth felt a flush creep up her neck. “I apologize if I overstepped,” she said, her voice tinged with embarrassment. “It was a spur-of-the-moment decision.”

Simeon leaned back in his chair, studying her intently. “I find that intriguing,” he remarked. “Not many have the courage to act on impulse, especially in such a manner.”

Before Elizabeth could respond, the door opened, and a man entered, holding a stack of papers. He paused upon seeing Elizabeth and then turned to Simeon.

“Boss, these are the reports you requested,” the man said, his tone respectful.

Elizabeth’s breath caught in her throat. Boss? The word echoed in her mind, sending a jolt of recognition through her. She knew that voice. She knew that man.

Alex.

Her ex-boyfriend.

The man who had once been her confidant, her lover, the one she had trusted with her heart. The man who had shattered her trust and left her broken. Seeing him here, in this context, was like a slap to the face. He was working for Simeon. He was addressing him as “Boss.” The betrayal stung anew, and a wave of nausea washed over her.

Alex’s eyes met hers, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. His face paled, and his hand trembled slightly as he placed the reports on Simeon’s desk. He opened his mouth as if to speak but closed it again, unable to find the words.

Simeon’s demeanor shifted slightly. “Thank you, Alex,” he replied, his voice cool. “Please leave them on my desk.”

Alex nodded and placed the papers down before exiting the room.

Elizabeth’s mind raced. Alex working for Simeon? The implications were staggering. She had no idea what to make of it.

Simeon noticed her reaction. “Is something wrong?” he asked, his brow furrowing slightly.

Elizabeth hesitated, then decided to be honest. “I know Alex,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “We… we used to be involved.”

Simeon’s expression remained neutral. “I see,” he said simply.

The room fell into an awkward silence. Elizabeth’s thoughts were a whirlwind. Alex working for Simeon? The man she had once loved, now serving as an underling to the very person she had proposed to. The irony was almost too much to bear.

Simeon broke the silence. “Perhaps we should focus on the matter at hand,” he suggested. “Your proposal. What prompted such an action?”

Elizabeth took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. “It was a moment of desperation,” she confessed. “I was hurt, and I acted without thinking.”

Simeon nodded thoughtfully. “I understand,” he said. “But I must ask, what do you hope to achieve with this proposal?”

Elizabeth met his gaze, her resolve strengthening. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “Maybe a fresh start. Maybe a way to move on from the past.”

Simeon studied her for a moment, then leaned forward slightly. “I appreciate your honesty,” he said. “And I believe we can help each other. But first, I need to understand you better. Your motivations, your goals. Only then can we determine if this… arrangement is feasible.”

Elizabeth nodded, feeling a mix of apprehension and hope. This was unexpected, but perhaps it was the opportunity she needed to rebuild her life.

As the meeting continued, Elizabeth found herself opening up more than she had anticipated. Simeon’s demeanor was professional yet empathetic,