bChapter /bb225 /b

    Alex leaned back on his chair, his phone pressed against his ear.

    “I would love for you toe, Mr. Lowell. It will mean a lot to my sister,” Jerry said, his voice light, persuasive.

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    Alex rolled his eyes, though there was a hint of a smirk tugging at his lips. “Jerry, stop trying to set me up with your sister,” he said, twirling slowly in his

    chair.

    Jerryughed on the other end, that loud, unbotheredugh Alex had grown used to over the years. “I just had to try.”

    Alex hummed in response, not really interested in entertaining that conversation. He rubbed at his temple with his free hand. His mind was already on the contracts sitting on his desk, the endless pile of responsibilities that came with running ABL.

    “I’ll check for the mistake and send you the contract again,” Jerry added, his tone shifting back to business.

    “Alright,” Alex said simply.

    They said their goodbyes, and Alex ended the call. He set the phone down on his desk with a soft thud, leaning back ionce /imore.

    For a moment, he let his eyes close, trying to think of the best way to handle a deal he has to summit today… His quiet moment was unfortunately short- lived.

    A knock echoed through the office door.

    Alex’s eyes snapped open. He turned his head sharply toward the sound. His secretary’s muffled voice followed, polite but clear.

    “Sorry, sir, one Zoe is hère to see you.”

    Alex sat still, staring at the door, his jaw tightening slightly. He didn’t miss the way his secretary’s voice hesitated just a little.

    He warned her he didn’t want to be disturbed… Zoe must have said something that made her feel he would want to make an exemption for her.

    For a moment, he considered telling her to say he was busy. To shut the door and not let her in. He didn’t have time for talks that won’t bring him money right now, this is business hour…

    But against his better judgment, he raised his hand and gestured for her to let her in.

    His secretary nodded quickly and closed the door back. A few secondster, it opened again.

    Zoe walked in. She had a smile on her face, almost shy but too practiced to be innocent. Her office ID hung around her neck, swaying slightly as she

    moved.

    “Alex,” she greeted warmly.

    “Zoe,” Alex said, his voice t.. His sharp eyes flickered to the ID, confirming what he already suspected, she had started working already

    “Sorry for justing like this,” Zoe said, her smile nervous but persistent. “I know you’re very busy. I just wanted to thank you.” Her hand went to the ID, holding it like it was some kind of treasure. “I started working today.”

    Alex nodded once. “It’s nothing.”

    “And also for the apartmenti,/ii” /iZoe continued quickly, her words spilling like she had been rehearsing them. “One of your men called me yesterday and took me to check the house. I called to inform you, but you weren’t picking.”

    Alex’s expression didn’t change, though his jaw flexed slightly. He had seen the call. He just didn’t answer it. He didn’t have the time,or the strength for meaningless conversations.

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    “Did you like it?” he asked, his voice neutral, trying to sound polite enough to keep things a little friendly?

    “I loved it, Alex,” Zoe said softly, her eyes almost shining. “It must have cost you a lot.”

    “It’s okay,” Alex said simply, already waiting for her to leave. He gave her nothing to hold onto, nothing to encourage her.

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    But Zoe didn’t move. She lingered there, her weight shifting from one foot to the other. Then, after a moment, she asked quietly, “Can I sit, please? I uh.. I just want say some things”

    Alex’s first instinct was to tell her no. To remind her it was working hours, that he was busy, that this wasn’t a ce for reminiscing about the past. He’s sure that’s what she’s about to bring up next..

    He doesn’t have time for this.

    But then he sighed inwardly and decided to give her a few minutes. A few minutes wouldn’t kill him.

    “Go on,” he said, motioning with his hand.

    Zoe smiled happily, almost too happily, as she sat down in front of him.

    It’s quiet for a few seconds… Zoe was staring at her hands while Alex was staring at her.

    She was probably thinking about how to start what she came here to say.

    “You’ve done so good for yourself, Alex,” she starts softly. Then she gave a smallugh, shaking her head. “You look like apletely different person. I don’t even know how to approach you”

    Sheughs nervously ncing at him

    “You’re so different, so mature and so serious. Nothing like the boy that used to love me, kiss me, y games with me, and… make love to me.” Her voice trailed off, her cheeks flushing slightly as she lowered her eyes.

    Alex’s gaze remains the same. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly against the armrest. He did remember….But he also remembered how empty it had feltpared to what he hadter found with Mia.

    He had thought he loved Zoe once, until Mia came along and showed him what real love, real fire, really felt like.

    “Where is all thising from, Zoe? This is working hour,” Alex said tly, not ready to indulge in the past. Not when it was a past he had no desire to

    revisit.

    Zoe shook her head quickly. “I know, I know. I just–seeing you brought back so many memories.”

    Alex exhaled slowly through his nose. “I get it, Zoe. But some memories are better left buried forever.”

    Zoe let out a softugh, though there was sadness in her eyes. “True. But some memories stay rooted forever, no matter how much you want to get rid of

    them.”

    Her gaze locked onto his, intense, almost desperate.

    “I was young and stupid,” Zoe said, her voice breaking slightly. “I made the biggest mistake of my life by pushing the man I loved into the arms of another woman because of some stupid games.”

    Alex didn’t flinch. He didn’t say a word. He just stared at her, his face unreadable.

    Zoeughed nervously again, shaking her head. “I’m a changed person now. Different from that girl I was back at Willowcrest.”

    “Good for you,” Alex said dryly, his eyes already moving back to hisputer screen. Deals were waiting. Numbers were waiting. He didn’t have time for

    this.

    09:18

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    b+33 /b

    “I’m sorry for pouring this out right now,” Zoe said softly, her voice filled with guilt.

    Alex nced at her again, then nodded once. Wasted time is over

    “I have work to do Zoe. Just focus and do your job. I’ve already sent someone to furnish your apartment. If you need anything, call him.”

    Zoe nodded, forcing a smile. “Thank you so much for everything, Alex.”

    Alex allowed himself a small, polite smile in return, though his eyes stayed distant.

    “I’m sorry about what happened with your family,” he said, his tone firm but final. “Hope iyou /imake something good with your life here, Zoe.” His words carried the weight of dismissal.

    Zoe seemed to understand. She stood up slowly, her hands smoothing down her skirt. But just as she reached ithe /idoor, she hesitated, her hand on the

    handle.

    “Can we have dinner tomorrow?” she asked softly, her eyes hopeful.

    “I’ll be busy,” Alex said without looking up.

    “Next tomorrow?” she suggested quickly.

    “Zoe,” Alex warned, his tone sharper now.

    She raised her hands quickly. “No, no. It’s not like that. As friends, Alex. Just friends.”

    Alex hummed low, unwilling tomit. “Maybe one of these days,” he said, his eyes already back on the papers spread across his desk.

    Zoe bit her lip, then turned toward the door again. But before she left, she nced back over her shoulder.

    “Do you still hear from her?” she asked softly.

    Alex’s hand froze on the paper in front of him. He didn’t even need her to say the name. He knew exactly who she was referring to.

    His eyes lifted slowly, meeting Zoe’s across the room. He said nothing, but the silence spoke volumes.

    Zoe nodded, her hand tightening on the door handle.

    “In some way, I feel like I should take responsibility for you getting hurt,” she whispered. “I pushed you to her, It’s my fault you got hurt by her.”

    Still, Alex said nothing. His stare was cold, sharp, unreadable.

    “I want you to knowi…/i” Zoe’s voice trembled, but she forced the words out. “I wouldn’t have hurt you like she did. Never. I hope you can give us a chance again.”

    “I love you Alex, I always did…. and I’ll always will…

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