Heat drained from her face. She hoped she didn't look as shocked as she felt. A thousand emotions surged through her: disbelief, panic, even a strange flutter of thrill at seeing him again after all this time. But overriding them all was terror that he might recognize her just as instantly.
Damien's gaze remained fixed on Aria. His eyes narrowed a fraction, that familiar intensity sparking as if trying to peel back the layers of her memory. The air in the conference room grew charged, at least for her.
In a heartbeat, Aria was thrown back in time—to heated kisses and whispered names, to the way he had held her in the dark. Did he remember? Did he realize she was the same woman who'd slipped away from his bed four years ago?
She quickly looked down, pretending to straighten her documents to hide her trembling fingers. Her heart hammered so loudly she was sure everyone could hear.
Jenna cleared her throat, seemingly oblivious to the crackling tension. "Alright, shall we begin?" she said, offering Aria an encouraging smile.
Aria swallowed and forced another smile, hoping it looked professional. She had to keep it together. This was her chance, her career on the line. She couldn't afford to fall apart now.
Taking a quiet breath, Aria began her presentation. She spoke about her design inspirations, laying out sketches and mood boards on the table. Her voice only shook slightly at first, but as she delved into the work she was passionate about, she found her rhythm. If nothing else, focusing on the art steadied her nerves.
All the while, she could feel Damien's eyes on her. He had taken a seat at the head of the table, hands steepled under his chin, silent as the others occasionally asked questions or murmured appreciatively at her designs. If she looked up, she'd catch him studying her with an inscrutable expression that made her pulse skitter. Was he simply evaluating a potential hire? Or was he recalling the last time he'd seen her face, half-buried in a pillow as dawn light crept in?
Stop it, she scolded herself. She had to believe he might not remember. It had been one night, and she probably looked different now—her hair was a bit shorter, and motherhood had subtly changed her curves. Plus, who would ever expect that woman to turn up in his boardroom?
As the presentation wrapped up, Aria distributed a printed portfolio summary. She managed to smile and answer a few follow-up questions from the design managers. Her performance was as composed as she could hope for under the circumstances.
Finally, one of the executives smiled. "Thank you, Ms. Williams. We're impressed with your work. We'll be discussing it further and get back to you soon."
Relief and hope fluttered in Aria's chest. "Thank you for the opportunity," she replied, starting to gather her things. She had done it. Somehow, she'd survived the presentation. And maybe—just maybe—she'd impressed them enough to land the job.
Yet as the others stood and began to file out, Aria realized her ordeal might not be over. Damien had not moved from his seat, nor had he said a single word the entire time. Now, with everyone else chatting among themselves and exiting, he remained, his gaze never leaving her.
Sure enough, Jenna paused by the door. "Mr. Knight, do you need anything else?" she asked.
Damien's voice was cool, authoritative. "That will be all. Close the door, please."
Aria's stomach dropped. The last of the team gave her a nod and slipped out, shutting the conference room door behind them. Within seconds, the bustling sounds of the hallway were cut off, leaving a thick silence.
She was alone with him.
Slowly, Aria straightened, clutching her portfolio case to keep her hands from shaking. Damien rose from his chair, buttoning his suit jacket with deliberate calm. His face was unreadable, but those eyes… they blazed with a storm of emotions she couldn't decipher.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The air felt charged like a brewing tempest. Aria's heart thumped against her ribs as she braced herself.
"Miss… Williams," Damien said at last, the name rolling off his tongue with quiet intensity. "Imagine my surprise, seeing you here today."
It was just one polite sentence, but Aria heard the layered meaning beneath it. He did recognize her. There was no question now—the slight emphasis, the way his voice had dropped, was full of recollection.
Aria forced herself to meet his gaze. "Mr. Knight," she replied, and was proud that her voice came out steadier than she felt. "It's… been a while."
Something like a dark smile ghosted across his lips. "Indeed it has." Damien stepped closer, every movement controlled. He stopped opposite her on the other side of the table, eyes never leaving her face. "I admit, this is unexpected."
Aria's throat was dry. She clutched the back of a chair for support. "I didn't know you would be in the meeting," she managed to say, opting for honesty. There was no point pretending she hadn't recognized him.
Damien tilted his head slightly. "No? Our recruitment team didn't mention the CEO would be evaluating proposals?" His tone was mild, but she sensed the underlying question.
"I—I was contacted by Ms. Greene in the design department. I had no idea you'd personally be involved," Aria answered, choosing her words carefully.
He hummed, a noncommittal sound. Those piercing eyes continued to roam over her, as if confirming for himself that she was real. Aria fought the urge to fidget under his scrutiny.
Finally, he spoke, voice softer. "Aria." Just her name, quietly uttered.
Her heart lurched at the way he said it, memories flaring. Did he realize how that one night had changed her life? Should she say something more? How much did he remember, really?
Before she could formulate a response, Damien's expression cooled, shuttering whatever flicker of emotion had been there. He straightened, slipping back into a business-like demeanor. "Your presentation was impressive," he stated, almost too calmly. "Our team will be in touch regarding the next steps."
It sounded like a dismissal. Aria's pulse stumbled. Was that it? He obviously remembered her—but he was acting as if nothing personal had ever passed between them. Perhaps she should feel relieved. This could mean he intended to keep things strictly professional. That would be for the best… right?
Yet a strange disappointment tugged at her. She quickly smothered it. What had she expected—that he'd demand answers? That he'd even mention the past? He had as much to lose as she did by dredging it up, especially here.
Forcing a polite smile, Aria nodded. "Thank you. I appreciate it." She slid her portfolio into her bag, her mind racing. Maybe he truly didn't care at all. Maybe that night had been forgettable for him—a brief lapse, quickly buried. The thought shouldn't sting, but it did, just a little.
She was turning to leave when his voice stopped her. "One more thing."
Aria looked back at him warily. "Yes?"
Damien's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. He reached into his inner suit pocket and produced a sleek card. In a few strides, he closed the gap between them and held it out. "My card. In case you have any further questions or need to discuss… anything."
Aria's eyes flicked to the business card embossed with his name and contact. Her stomach did a small flip. Discuss anything. Did he mean the project, or…?
Regardless, refusing the CEO's card would be strange. She mustered a grateful expression and took it, their fingers briefly brushing. Even that slight contact sent a jolt through her, and judging by the way Damien's eyes darkened for an instant, he felt it too.
"Thank you, Mr. Knight," she said quietly, tucking the card into her purse.
His gaze bore into her, as if he wanted to say more, but after a taut second he only gave a curt nod. "I'll look forward to our next meeting, Miss Williams."
Feeling unsteady, Aria murmured a farewell and escaped into the hall. Only when the elevator doors closed did she let out the breath she'd been holding.
Her thoughts whirled as she descended floor after floor. Fate, it seemed, had intervened with cruel irony. She had crossed paths with Damien again—now as a potential business associate—never suspecting who he truly was until it was too late.
Clutching her bag, Aria willed her racing heart to calm. One encounter down, but if she got this job, there would be more. How was she going to handle working under the man who was the father of her child… a man who probably still had no idea that fact?
As the lobby came into view, Aria pressed a hand to her abdomen, an old habit whenever she felt anxious. "One step at a time," she whispered to herself.
Still, she couldn't shake the ominous feeling that her carefully constructed world was on the verge of upending once more.
And this time, she had far more to lose.