Chapter 4 The Ring.

My eyes remained fixed on Brett. The man standing on the stage looks nothing like the boy I remember.

How did he become this powerful? My thoughts race.

What does this mean for Liam?

Liam works for him now. Then another thought follows. What does this mean for career?

Opulent Wealth Group is a subsidiary of De- holdings. If Brett thinks of restructuring the entire group, my interview and the future I've spent months toward could be affected too.

And beneath all the questions I don't want to ask. What does Brett want now?

The senior executive steps in, handing the microphone to Brett.

"De-h holdings has reached a point where maintaining the status quo is no longer enough," he said calmly "we're entering a new phase, there will be restructuring across several departments, stronger international partnership, and expansion into markets we've previously mentioned."

The screen behind him changes, displaying charts and projections. Not once does he mention the past or me.

Has he moved on?

I should have hated him for walking away but I didn't. I'm glad he's okay and it's nothing but the past now.

Liam recognizes him immediately, recalling what happened yesterday at our anniversary. He turned towards my direction.

I lowered my eyes for a moment, trying to stay calm but I was burning deep inside with feelings I shouldn't have. Then I feel it.

That familiar sensation of being watched. I looked up. Brett's eyes found mine.

Everything and everyone around me seems to fade away, no longer in a crowded hall with spaces between. But back three years ago, just him and me on our very first date.

Then his expression changes, barely. His eyes linger for another second before he turns toward the audience.

"And that transformation begins today." The crowd applauds.

He recognized me and simply continued speaking like I was just another face in the crowd. That hurts more than I expected it too.

Because back then Brett couldn't stop staring at me. Now, he can look me directly in the eye and keep talking about business as though I mean nothing.

Beside me, Liam shifts in his seat. I tightened my fingers around his. I wanted to reassure him that seeing Brett was nothing to me but a first love I wished never happened. I rest my head on his broad shoulders.

Brett is already looking at us, his expression doesn't change but something in his gaze does. I quickly look away.

The reception continues for another twenty minutes before the senior executive announces that the CEO will be meeting with department heads and selected staff.

People rise from their seats as Brett leaves the stage and all the staff report to the executive floor as requested, Liam looks at me, he doesn't want to leave me alone.

"You should go."

"I'll make it up to you."Liam pecks me on the cheek, "you'll be okay right?" He turned to leave.

"I'll be fine." I replied.

But I wasn't okay, it felt like I was back in my past and I didn't want to be so vulnerable and reckless.

I watch Liam leave with the other drivers.

I take a slow breath and pull out my phone. A notification appears on my screen.

Opulent Wealth Group. My heart skips as I open the email.

"Due to an unexpected executive transition affecting the group's operations, this morning's graduate internship interviews were temporarily suspended. Following a management review, the interview process will resume today at 4.00 p.m.

Candidates are requested to report according to their original interview order" The email read. At least the interview wasn't cancelled completely, I needed it and now I had to go get it. I crossed the street and entered a cab to Opulent Wealth Group.

By 3:45 I was back in the lobby, waiting with the other candidates. At exactly four, an assistant called my name.

"Miss Carter?"

I stood and followed her to the interview room. After the introductions, one of the interviews smiled.

"Why Opulent?" I took a deep breath.

" I want to build a real career in marketing and media, I want to learn how to turn ideas into something people connect with and Opulent Wealth Group is the best place to start." I replied.

The interview continued for a few more minutes. I answered every question as confidently as I could.

When it ended, I stepped outside feeling relieved. I had barely reached the lobby when several employees straightened.

"Good afternoon, Mrs Saltzman." I turned.

A striking beautiful woman with long dark hair in a perfectly tailored suit walked toward us.

"How are the interviews going?" She asked.

"Very well ma'am. We're almost finished."

"Good. I want the strongest candidate selected on merit."

Her eyes briefly met mine. "Good luck."

"Thank you."

She gave me a polite smile before walking away, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor.

"She's intimidating isn't she?" A fellow graduate intern said

"Who?"

"Mrs Saltzman. The woman you just saw."

"She's the owner?"

"Yeah. You could say that, her dad owns Opulent. Technically, it's under De- holdings, but she runs this place."

I glanced toward the building. "I didn't know."

"Most people don't. She's pretty young for someone who owns a company this big."

I thanked my interview mate for the info and headed toward the gate. I was looking down at my phone when I suddenly bumped into someone, my folder slipped from my hands. I lost my balance. Before I could fall, an arm wrapped firmly against my waist. My breath catches. I looked up.

Brett, his dark lashes lowered as he looked down at me, his face was so close I could feel the warmth of his breath. I barely moved.

"Are you okay?"

My heart pounded so hard, it felt like it would explode.

"I.." I swallowed. "I'm fine." He slowly released me. He bent down, picked my folder, and handed it back. "Still clumsy,"

A small laugh escapes me. "Still annoying."

His lip curved into the most radiant smile I'd ever seen.

"Are you heading somewhere?" He asked.

"I was leaving."

"Join me. Please." He said politely, and I followed him into the canteen.

We sat across from each other at a small table near the windows, our food between us. I started eating.

Finally Brett spoke. "You've changed."

"So have you,"

"I know, so much happened to both of us." He looks down at his untouched food, then looks back at me. "Lily.. I'm sorry for leaving."

"Brett don't." I lower my head.

"I deserve your resentment, but I didn't have a choice. I had to leave."

He reached across the table, his fingers caressing mine. "I'd never stopped loving you Lily. You know what that is."

I withdrew my fingers resting it firmly on my laps. "That doesn't matter, it's in the past and so are my feelings for you buried along with it." It was a lie, one I'm sure Brett saw through. But I needed it to be true.

"I have Liam now," I force a fake smile. "I'm happy."

Inside me was cracking all over again still I needed to do the right thing.

"Maybe we should have never met three years ago."

"Lily.." his eyes darken. "Do you really believe that?"

"I have to." I pushed back my chair and stood up. "Because I spent far too long wondering what I did wrong, I don't want to do that anymore." I picked up my bag and turned to leave.

"You never wondered why I left?" Brett remained seated.

My hand stopped on the strap of my bag. I turned slowly. Before I could answer, a woman's voice came from behind me.

"Brett?" I looked over, and Miss Saltzman stood at the entrance. Her smile brightened when she saw him.

Brett stood. She walked toward us, slipping

her hand into his, her fingers already intertwined with his. Then I saw the ring.

My heart sank.