The headquarters of Starlight Corporation buzzed with the usual morning rush. Men and women in sharp suits hurried through the corridors, their voices clipped, their footsteps echoing against polished marble floors. Adrian Chen, the young CEO, walked briskly, a stack of important documents tucked under his arm. His mind was already racing ahead to meetings and strategies, the rhythm of power that defined his life.
Then, fate intervened.
At the corner near the lobby, a girl rushed in, clutching her bag nervously. She wasn't watching where she was going. She collided with him, sending the papers flying in a cascade across the floor.
"Oh no! I'm so sorry!" she cried, dropping to her knees to gather the scattered sheets.
Adrian's brows furrowed. His first instinct was irritation he hated disorder, and these papers mattered. He opened his mouth to scold her. But then he saw her face.
Her wide eyes, the curve of her lips, the way her hair framed her cheeks it all struck him like lightning. Memories surged back: a summer night, fireflies, a ribbon tied around his wrist. The promise under the stars.
He froze.
In her panic, she lost her balance and slipped forward. Before she could hit the ground, Adrian's arms shot out, catching her against his chest. For a heartbeat, the world stilled. She looked up at him, startled, her breath caught. Their eyes met, and something unspoken passed between them — a flicker of recognition he felt deep in his soul, though she did not.
He steadied her gently, his irritation gone. "Careful," he murmured, his voice softer than he intended.
She flushed, embarrassed. "I… I didn't mean to. I'm here for the internship program. I was rushing."
Adrian knelt beside her, helping gather the papers. "It's fine," he said, hiding the storm of emotions inside. "No harm done."
Together they collected the documents, their fingers brushing briefly. The touch sent a jolt through him, a reminder of the vow he had carried all these years. She didn't seem to notice. To her, he was just another employee, another stranger in the vast company.
When she stood, adjusting her bag nervously, she bowed her head. "Thank you. I'll be more careful."
He watched her walk away, his chest tight with unspoken words. She didn't remember. But he did.
Her name, he learned moments later from the receptionist, was Elena Li.
Later, in his office, Adrian paced restlessly. His assistant, Marcus Wu, entered with a tablet. "Sir, the board meeting is scheduled for"
Adrian interrupted, grabbing Marcus by the shoulders. "Forget the meeting. Tell me… how do you chase a girl?"
Marcus blinked, stunned. "Sir?"
"I met her today," Adrian said, his voice trembling with excitement. "She's here, in this company. Elena Li. The girl I promised to marry when I was a child. She doesn't remember me, but I remember her. I can't lose this chance."
Marcus stared, then sighed. "Sir, you're the CEO. You can't just… chase her like an ordinary man. It would scare her."
"Then what should I do?" Adrian demanded, shaking Marcus lightly, his eyes desperate.
Marcus thought for a moment, then smirked. "If you want to stay close without revealing your identity, why not become her assistant? She'll trust you, rely on you, and you'll have the chance to show her your devotion."
Adrian's eyes widened. "Her assistant?"
"Yes," Marcus said firmly. "It's the perfect disguise. She'll see you as humble, dependable, someone she can lean on. And when the time is right, you can reveal the truth."
Adrian's lips curved into a smile, his heart racing with possibility. "Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant."
He leaned back in his chair, clutching the ribbon hidden beneath his sleeve. "If this is what it takes to keep my promise, then I'll do it. I'll be her assistant. I'll stay by her side, protect her, pamper her, and remind her of the vow she forgot."
Marcus shook his head, half amused, half exasperated. "Sir, you're turning the company upside down for a girl."
Adrian laughed softly, his voice filled with determination. "For her, I'd turn the whole world upside down."
That night, as the city lights flickered outside his window, Adrian sat alone, replaying the moment she fell into his arms. Her apology, her smile, the way she looked at him without recognition it all burned into his mind.
He whispered to himself, "Promise kept. This time, I won't let you go."