JAY 'S POV
The city was still half-asleep when I opened my eyes. For a brief moment, I let the silence linger — the kind of calm that only exists before dawn. Then, instinct kicked in. I reached for the alarm before it could ring, got out of bed, and folded the sheets with military precision.
It had been years since I'd needed an alarm. My body had long memorized the rhythm of discipline — a rhythm that had built an empire from the ashes of a broken past.
I stepped onto the cool marble floor of my penthouse. Floor-to-ceiling windows stretched across the wall, unveiling New York's skyline — my kingdom. The lights from the distant towers blinked like constellations. Somewhere beneath them, my people were already moving, building, hustling… just as I had once promised myself I would.
I headed straight to the gym area. My condo wasn't just luxurious; it was functional — every piece of furniture had a purpose. I slipped into my black training gear, tied my hair into a high ponytail, and began my warm-up.
Push-ups. Squats. Shadowboxing.Each movement was sharp, deliberate, and controlled. Sweat trailed down my temple, but I didn't slow down.
My reflection in the mirror was the same one the world saw — the cold, efficient CEO of SE Corporation. But I knew better. Behind the flawless exterior was a girl who had once lost everything.
And I swore I would never be that girl again.
After my workout, I grabbed my towel and headed to the shower. The hot water cascaded down my skin, washing away fatigue but never the memories. No matter how much success I gained, some ghosts simply refused to fade.
I dressed in a crisp white blouse tucked into a black pencil skirt. My diamond pendant — a gift from my first investor — rested neatly on my collarbone. I applied minimal makeup, tied my hair neatly, and slid into a pair of Louboutin heels.
By 6:30 a.m., I was already standing in my kitchen, sipping coffee while scrolling through my tablet. The day's agenda blinked on the screen:
08:00 AM — Department Heads Meeting09:00 AM — Staff Briefing11:30 AM — Investor Meeting: Watson Corporation02:00 PM — Media Conference Preparation04:30 PM — Training Session
I paused at the third line.Watson Corporation.
For some reason, the name made my heart hesitate — a whisper of familiarity that I couldn't quite place.
I brushed it off. The business world was small. I'd dealt with dozens of Watsons before. Names didn't matter — only results did.
Finishing my coffee, I grabbed my coat and bag, stepped into the private elevator, and pressed "Lobby."
The moment the doors slid open, the lobby staff greeted me in unison.
"Good morning, Ms. Mariano."
"Good morning," I replied with a polite nod.
My black sedan was already waiting. Coel, my executive assistant and right-hand man, was holding the door open with his usual calm smile.
"Morning, boss," he said. "You're right on time, as always."
"Wouldn't expect anything less," I replied, sliding into the seat.
As the car moved through the city, I gazed out the tinted window. The world outside was a blur of motion — people rushing to their jobs, honking taxis, flashing signs. New York was alive, unstoppable, relentless.
Just like me.
When we arrived at SE Corp Headquarters, the building towered above the street like a monument. The glass panels reflected the morning sun, casting a golden hue on the company logo:
SE Corp – Section E Corporation
Every time I saw that name, something deep inside me stirred. People thought "SE" stood for "Superior Enterprise." I never corrected them.But only I knew the truth.
Section E.
A piece of my youth.A reminder of who I used to be — and what I left behind.
Coel followed me into the lobby, a tablet in hand. "You've got a full day, boss. The Watson investors are sending their head representative. Very secretive bunch. They didn't even disclose his name."
"That's fine," I said, stepping into the executive elevator. "We'll see what they bring to the table."
Samy, my chief strategist and closest female friend, joined us on the top floor. Her bright personality was the exact opposite of mine — bubbly, talkative, and fiercely loyal.
"Jay! You didn't tell me we were meeting big investors today," she said, half-running to keep up.
"I didn't tell anyone because I wanted results, not rumors," I replied, scanning my schedule.
Samy grinned. "Still the same Jay-Jay — cool, strict, and terrifyingly perfect."
I smirked. "I take that as a compliment."
"It was." She winked.
We reached my office — a panoramic space with white marble floors, minimalist furniture, and a view that stretched across Manhattan. I placed my bag on the desk and opened my laptop. The screens flickered to life, showing numbers, stock charts, and financial updates.
For the next two hours, everything ran like a symphony — reports, approvals, discussions, strategy calls. My employees moved with clockwork precision, a reflection of the system I'd built.
I had created something powerful from nothing. And I was proud of it.
But pride didn't erase the loneliness that sometimes slipped through the cracks.
When the clock neared eleven, Samy returned with the final investor files. "The Watson team is already in the conference room," she said. "And they requested you personally."
"Good," I said, standing up. "Let's make it worth their time."
Coel handed me a folder. "Their background checks out. Multi-industry holdings, clean record, rapid expansion in Asia and the U.S. Could be a solid partnership."
"Then let's see if they're worth SE," I replied, grabbing the folder and heading to the elevator.
As the doors closed, a strange feeling settled in my chest — anticipation mixed with something… else.
Something that felt a lot like dread.
The conference room was filled with quiet chatter as I entered. The air smelled faintly of coffee and cologne. My steps were steady, confident, echoing across the polished floor.
Everyone turned as I approached the head seat. The Watson team stood in greeting — all except one man at the far end of the table, his back turned slightly toward me.
I placed my folder down. "Good morning, gentlemen. Let's begin."
The man at the end finally turned.
And time stopped.
Brown hair, a perfectly tailored suit, a gaze that burned with something between pride and regret.
For a second, I forgot how to breathe.
"Good morning," he said, his voice deeper than I remembered. "Mark Keifer Watson. Head of Watson Corporation."
Keifer.
The name echoed in my mind like a gunshot.
He was supposed to be thousands of miles away — not standing in my boardroom, not looking at me with those same eyes that once promised forever.
"Mr. Watson," I managed to say, my voice steady despite the chaos inside. "Let's proceed with the proposal."
His lips curved slightly. "Of course, Ms. Mariano."
The meeting went on smoothly, or at least it seemed so to everyone else. I answered questions, discussed numbers, signed documents — all while avoiding his gaze as if one look could shatter the walls I'd spent years building.
When the presentation ended, everyone applauded lightly. Coel began organizing the final files, and Samy whispered something about heading out for lunch.
But before I could move, Keifer spoke again.
"Ms. Mariano," he said. "Could we talk privately for a moment?"
Every nerve in my body screamed no.
But I nodded. "Of course."
The others left, the door shutting softly behind them.
The silence between us was deafening.
Keifer's eyes softened. "You've changed, Jay."
I met his gaze with practiced calm. "People do, Mr. Watson."
He stepped closer — not close enough to touch, but enough that I could feel the weight of his presence.
"I promised you," he said quietly, "that if I ever found you again… I wouldn't let go."
My throat tightened. Memories rushed like a storm — laughter, tears, that night under the stars, his voice whispering promises I tried to forget.
I forced myself to smile, cold and professional. "Promises are for the past, Mr. Watson. This is business."
He smiled sadly. "We'll see about that."
I grabbed my folder and walked out before he could say another word.
The moment I reached my office, I locked the door and leaned against it, trying to catch my breath.
Of all people… why him? Why now?
Samy knocked softly. "Jay? You okay?"
"I'm fine," I lied, forcing my voice steady.
She peeked through the door. "You look pale. Did something happen?"
"No," I said, shutting my laptop. "Just… tired."
She frowned but didn't press further. "Okay, boss. Go home early today. Coel and I can handle the afternoon prep."
I nodded. "Thanks, Sam."
As soon as she left, I sank into my chair. My eyes fell on the small drawer to my right — one I hadn't opened in years. Slowly, I pulled it open.
Inside lay a simple silver ring, faintly scratched with age.
The ring he gave me on my eighteenth birthday.
My fingers trembled as I picked it up. The metal was cold — just like the space that had replaced the warmth in my chest.
After a long moment, I closed my hand around it and whispered, almost to myself,"Not again."
I placed the ring back, shut the drawer, and turned off the lights.
Outside the window, the city gleamed — bright, alive, merciless.
Tomorrow, I would face the world again as the unshakable CEO of SE Corp.But tonight… I allowed myself to remember.
And to break — just a little.