The morning after the rooftop meeting felt like stepping into a new world.
Everything looked the same—same polished floors, same clicking heels of employees rushing to beat the clock—but for Elira, everything had changed.
Alexander had said he wanted to try.
He didn't say he remembered.
He didn't say he loved her.
But he said he didn't want to lose the feeling.
It was enough.
For now.
Elira walked into the office, her steps light, her heart fluttering beneath her cream blouse. Her best friend in the office, Yuna, glanced up from her desk in the graphic design section and narrowed her eyes.
"You're glowing."
"I am?" Elira asked, too fast.
Yuna stood and walked over with her signature devilish smirk. "Okay, don't play innocent. Did something happen yesterday? You disappeared after lunch."
"I just… had a little air," Elira mumbled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Elira Caelum."
"Yes?"
"You're crushing on the CEO, aren't you?"
Elira froze.
She smiled, deflecting with practiced charm. "Isn't everyone in this building?"
Yuna leaned in, arms crossed. "Sure. Everyone might fantasize about Alexander Godfrey from time to time. But you—there's something different about your face. You look like you're… in something."
"Please," Elira said quickly, voice lowered. "I'm not… It's not like that."
But it was.
Yuna stared at her for a moment longer, then backed off with a knowing grin. "Fine, fine. Keep your secrets, woman. But just know—I'm watching you."
Elira laughed, relieved and nervous. Because Yuna had no idea how close she was to the truth.
---
In the executive wing, Alexander stood before a floor-to-ceiling mirror in his private washroom. He tugged at his collar and frowned. He looked… too stiff.
Loosening his tie, he took a deep breath.
He hadn't planned on saying those words yesterday. He had fully intended to maintain distance. To do the right thing.
But seeing her with that vulnerable expression—those eyes that held both innocence and deep, old pain—had unraveled him.
And when she cried…
It was the first time since Solana died that he'd reached out to comfort someone.
And he hadn't regretted it.
But today, he had to keep it professional.
No one could know. Not yet. Not even the twins.
Especially not the twins.
---
A few hours later, Elira was called to Alexander's office—an official meeting regarding the new collaboration campaign. She arrived with her laptop, posture calm and confident, though her heart trembled.
When she entered, Alexander didn't look up right away. He gestured to the seat in front of his desk.
"Sit," he said simply.
She did.
"We'll go over the feedback from the board. They've approved most of the autumn visuals but want to push the launch event a week early. Are we able to adjust that?"
"Yes, sir," she said quickly. "I'll inform Yuna and the coordination team today."
"Good."
Silence.
She tried not to stare at him too long. He was back in his professional mode—stoic, cold, unreachable.
But then, as he flipped a page in the presentation deck, his voice softened.
"You wore your hair up today."
Her breath hitched.
"Yes," she whispered. "Why?"
"It reminds me of someone I once knew," he said, not meeting her eyes.
Solana.
"Did you… like it on her?"
"I did," he said quietly.
She smiled. "Then I'll wear it more often."
Alexander looked up sharply, a flicker of something unspoken passing between them.
He cleared his throat. "That will be all. Thank you, Miss Caelum."
Her heart ached at the return to formality. But she stood, bowed slightly, and left the room with a small, private smile.
---
Later that evening, the rain returned.
Elira stayed late at the office, reviewing reports and sorting client inquiries. She preferred the quiet when everyone had gone home. Her desk lamp glowed gently in the darkened office.
She barely noticed the soft click of the elevator behind her.
But she heard his voice.
"You're still here."
She turned. "So are you."
He stepped closer, his coat draped over one arm. He looked… tired. But softer.
"I had one last thing to finish."
She raised a brow. "Or maybe you came back because you couldn't stop thinking about the woman you asked to meet you on the rooftop."
He blinked.
Then smirked.
"You're getting bolder."
"I'm just… reclaiming what was always mine," she said softly.
That froze him.
He didn't speak for a moment.
"You really believe you're her, don't you?"
"I know I am," she replied, standing to face him. "But I don't need you to believe it yet. I only need you to feel what you're feeling—and stop pretending that it's not there."
He took a step forward. Then another.
Until only inches stood between them.
His eyes bore into hers. "And what am I feeling?"
"Grief. Hope. Confusion. Want."
His breath caught.
She could see it in his face—the wall crumbling.
But then he stepped back. "Go home, Elira."
She nodded. "Good night, Alexander."
---
Elsewhere, in a cozy café across town, Aria Godfrey sipped her cappuccino while scrolling through her tablet. Her brother, Aiden, sat opposite her, reading an article on workplace ethics.
"You know," Aria said casually, "Dad's been acting… weird."
"Weird how?" Aiden asked.
"He doesn't answer our messages right away anymore. He seems distracted. And he stopped grumbling about the new intern."
"Elira?"
"Yeah. Remember how he used to hate her? Now he's, like, tolerating her. Maybe even… dare I say… respecting her."
Aiden looked up. "You think he's developing feelings?"
"I don't know," Aria said, voice serious now. "But I've been feeling something off ever since I met that girl. Like there's a connection I can't explain."
Aiden frowned. "You mean like deja vu?"
"Or something deeper."
They exchanged glances.
Neither of them voiced the thought forming in both their minds:
She reminds me of Mom.
---
The next day, Elira found a handwritten note in her notebook.
7:00 PM. Garden café. Don't be late. – A
Her heart skipped.
She stared at the simple message for a full minute before she carefully tucked it away.
---
That evening, the city glowed gold under the setting sun. The rooftop café Alexander had chosen was quiet, the flowers still blooming from summer's warmth.
When Elira arrived, she saw him already seated at a secluded table beneath a string of lights.
He stood when he saw her.
She approached slowly, nerves flaring, but calmed when he reached out and pulled out the chair for her.
He ordered her favorite tea before she could ask.
She stared. "How did you know?"
"I've been paying attention."
She smiled.
They sat in silence for a moment.
Then Alexander spoke.
"I've never done this before."
"Dinner?" she teased.
"Dating."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Solana and I married young. Right after high school. She got pregnant… and everything just happened so fast. I never courted her. We just belonged to each other."
"And now?" she asked.
He met her eyes.
"Now… I want to learn how to fall in love slowly."
Her hand reached across the table.
"You already are."
---
End of Chapter 7