Allyson's POV
The harsh morning light streaming through my bedroom window felt like punishment as I reached for my phone. My head throbbed with each movement, a cruel reminder of last night's attempt to drown my sorrows. The screen lit up, revealing a string of missed calls from Reagan that made my stomach lurch.
Just seeing his name brought back the devastating image burned into my memory - walking into our apartment to find him tangled in our sheets with another woman. The man I'd planned to marry, the one I'd saved myself for, had destroyed everything we'd built together in the most brutal way possible.
My thumb traced over the missed call notifications, but I couldn't force myself to listen to whatever excuses or apologies he'd left behind. The phone landed with a soft thud on my rumpled comforter as I buried my face in my hands.
"You look like death warmed over," Gina observed from her perch on the edge of my bed, concern etched across her features.
"I feel worse than that," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "Seeing those calls from Reagan... it's making me question everything. What I did last night - it makes me feel like I'm no better than him."
Gina's expression hardened. "Don't you dare compare yourself to that cheating bastard."
"But I am exactly like him." The words tumbled out as fragmented memories of strong hands and heated kisses flooded back. "You told me to stay away from that dangerous man at the club, but I followed him anyway. Into that dark hallway where we..." I trailed off, struggling to piece together the hazy details. "We were intimate. At least, I think we were. Everything's so blurry, but I remember his touch, his mouth on mine. My first time with anyone should have been with Reagan on our wedding night, not with some stranger in a club."
"Wait, you're talking about Michael?" Gina's eyebrows shot up.
I nodded miserably. "Michael - that's what you said his name was, right?"
A knowing smile played at the corners of Gina's mouth. "Honey, I seriously doubt you went as far as you think. His security team found me at the bar and told me you'd passed out in his arms. They seemed genuinely concerned about getting you home safely."
"Are you certain?" Panic clawed at my chest as I tried to separate reality from my alcohol-fogged memories.
"I wasn't there for every second, but from what I gathered, things didn't escalate the way you're imagining," she assured me. "But right now, you need to focus on today. Don't let one night of poor decisions sabotage your career before it even starts."
The reminder hit like ice water. "How can I work at Reagan's father's company after everything that's happened? It feels impossible."
Gina grabbed my shoulders, forcing me to meet her determined gaze. "You earned this position through your own merit. You survived multiple rounds of interviews and beat out hundreds of candidates. Your Morris app is revolutionary - it's going to transform how businesses handle data management."
"It's more than just data organization," I corrected automatically. "It's a comprehensive platform that integrates multiple business functions into one streamlined interface."
"Exactly my point," Gina waved dismissively. "This is your opportunity to climb the corporate ladder and pitch directly to the CEO for funding. Don't let Reagan's betrayal derail years of hard work. Stop wallowing and show them what you're made of."
Her words ignited something fierce within me. "You're absolutely right. Reagan can go to hell - I earned this opportunity fair and square." Energy surged through my veins as I leaped from the bed. "No one at Jade Innovations knows about our relationship. I'm going to prove I belong there based on talent alone."
The hot shower washed away the lingering traces of last night's mistakes, and I emerged feeling renewed. Standing before my closet, I knew today demanded something special. Instead of my usual conservative attire, I selected the navy blue dress Gina had given me - form-fitting, professional, yet undeniably confident. This was the new Allyson, the woman who refused to be defined by someone else's betrayal.
"How do I look?" I asked, smoothing the fabric as I joined Gina in our living room.
Her grin was infectious. "Like a woman ready to conquer the corporate world. Go show them who's boss."
With newfound determination coursing through me, I grabbed my briefcase and headed out into the city.
Jade Innovations occupied an impressive glass tower in the heart of downtown, its sleek architecture screaming success and innovation. Natasha, my assigned manager, greeted me with genuine warmth as she guided me through the sophisticated workspace.
"We have a meeting with the CEO in a few minutes," she explained, her enthusiasm infectious. "Mr. Jade likes to personally welcome our contest participants."
My pulse quickened with anticipation. This was everything I'd dreamed of since college - working for a cutting-edge technology company where my ideas could flourish. Reagan had once offered to arrange a private meeting with his father to discuss my app, but I'd refused. I wanted to earn my place through merit, not nepotism. That's why I'd entered the Jade Generation contest and endured their rigorous selection process.
The boardroom exuded power and sophistication, from its polished mahogany table to the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline. I selected a seat and tried to calm my racing heart as Natasha addressed the group.
"Please take your seats, everyone. Mr. Jade will join us momentarily."
The room fell silent except for the soft rustle of papers and muted conversations. My palms grew damp as I anticipated meeting Reagan's father, hoping desperately that he possessed more integrity than his son.
Then the door opened, and my world tilted off its axis.
The man from last night strode confidently into the room, commanding attention with every step. Our eyes met across the conference table, and for one electric moment, mutual recognition flashed between us. Then his expression shifted to cool professionalism, as if we were complete strangers.
"Good morning, everyone. I'm Michael Jade, CEO of Jade Innovations. Welcome to our inaugural Jade Next Generation contest meeting."
My mind reeled as the devastating truth crashed over me. Michael Jade. Reagan Jade. The mysterious, intoxicating stranger from the club was my ex-boyfriend's father.