Elena's POV
"Mom, look! It's got some sparkles in it!"
Leo held a rock up so close to my face that I had to lean back to actually see it. It was gray, plain, a little wet from sitting in the grass all night, and I loved it more than anything in the world because he loved it.
I turned it over in my fingers like it was made of gold. At six years old, he still believed the world was full of magic hiding in plain sight.
"That's a good one, baby. Where'd you find it?"
"By the fence. It was calling my name."
"Rocks don't talk, Leo."
"This one does."
I didn't argue with him. I zipped his backpack, smoothed down his hair, and handed him his shoes one at a time while he hopped on one foot trying to put them on himself. My hands were steady doing all of it, but my stomach had been doing slow, nervous flips since five in the morning.
Monday mornings had always made me anxious. But today, the anxiety sat heavier in my chest, pressing against my ribs every time I looked at my reflection.
Today wasn't just any Monday. Today was the first time I would attend an executive meeting since I became the senior vice president of the marketing department at Voss Global.
I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing invisible wrinkles from my charcoal-gray blazer for what had to be the tenth time. My hair was neatly pinned back, my makeup subtle and professional, and my heels clicked softly against the hardwood floor as I continued getting ready.
I looked like a woman who belonged in executive meetings.
If only I could convince my heart of that.
Six years ago I was a scared, broke, twenty-two-year-old with a positive pregnancy test and no plan, and today I worked with one of the biggest companies in the city with a title that meant something. Nobody handed me this.
I clawed my way here with a sacrifice of late night and missed birthday parties and one impossible choice at a time. Therefore I'm allowed to be proud of that, even if pride still felt like a coat that didn't quite fit right.
"You're gonna do great, Mom."
Leo said with a mouthful of cereal, so casual, like he wasn't the reason I found the strength to keep going on the days I wanted to quit.
I kissed the top of his head and told him I loved him three times before he rolled his eyes and told me to stop, which was our routine.
My phone buzzed on the counter while I packed Leo's lunch. Daniel's name lit up the screen, and I smiled before I even opened the message.
“Good morning Elena. How are you guys doing? Just wanted to check up on you guys. Please don't let Leo be late to school today just because I wasn't there to wake you up. Just kidding, See you soon.”
I typed back a quick thank you and told him we are on our way to school, my hands nervously shaking around the edges of my phone.
Daniel was my best friend and also a children's doctor who happened to be working in Leo's school. He had been a great help ever since we became neighbors seven years ago most especially during my pregnancy time. He helped in carrying heavy loads, boxes, groceries I couldn't carry on my own, and fixed Leo's bike without being asked. He once showed up with soup when I and Leo had a flu at the same time and he had never for once made either of us feel like a burden he hadn't signed up for.
I dashed out of the house with Leo after some endless minutes of preparation and drove to his school.
Getting to his school, we both walked towards Daniel's office at the main entrance.
Daniel was already crouched by the cubbies when we entered his office. He wore blue scrubs covered in a cartoon animal print. On his feet were clean black Crocs with superhero charms. His thick black hair was cut short on the sides and styled neatly on top.
He looked up and smiled the moment he saw us, standing to catch the office door before it closed
"Look at you," he said warmly, closing the door behind us with a click. "Senior VP, even the hairstyle and everything says it all."
"It's the same hair as yesterday Daniel,” I reminded him.
"It's a power hairstyle today. Don't argue with me."
I rolled my eyes. “Fine, as your lordship pleases.”
He smiled and pressed his hand briefly on my shoulder. “Are you nervous?"
"Terrified. But don't tell anyone."
"Your secret's safe with me." He replied jokingly before he knelt down to Leo's height and held out a fist for him to bump. "And you, my man. I heard there's a rock situation happening. I need details later okay?"
Leo beamed and promised him a full report. Daniel ran his hand through his hair before straightening up and looked at me with a softness in his eyes.
"You've got this, Elena. Whatever they throw at you, don't let them win okay?”
I nodded and thanked him before we both walked Leo right up to his classroom. He held the classroom door until Leo was safely inside talking to a friend.
Then escorted me back to the parking lot, unhurried, like he had nowhere better to be, even though I knew for a fact he had a lot of work to do in his office.
"Call me when you settle down at work. I can't wait to hear how everything went."
"I will. Promise."
Then I entered my car and drove to the meeting place with my knuckles a little tight on the steering wheel.
By the time I parked outside the meeting building, my palms were damp against the steering wheel.
The building stretched high into the sky, all steel and glass, reflecting the morning sunlight so brightly I had to squint.
I straightened my blazer, squared my shoulders, and walked inside like I belonged there, even though my heart was racing in my chest.
The lobby buzzed with quiet conversations and hurried footsteps.
Near the elevators stood one of our company's executives, already waiting.
"There you are," she said with a smile. "I was beginning to think you'd changed your mind."
"I considered it."
She laughed as the elevator doors slid open. We rode up together, and she started briefing me about the meeting, the quarterly targets for the project to be discussed and the company we are to partner with on the project.
By the time the elevator doors opened on the executive floor, my heart had slowed to something almost normal, and I thought, for one minute.
Maybe, I could actually do this.
We both walked toward a big double door at the end and now she was already talking about the representative of the other company.
"The representative from the other company is apparently attending in person."
"Really?"
She nodded. "He became CEO after his father's health deteriorated. Brilliant, ruthless and practically impossible to meet. He rarely attends meetings himself.”
I nodded along, only half listening because I was busy running through my own notes in my head one at a time.
"He doesn't do a lot of these meetings personally," she said, "so it's a big deal that he's here today."
"Got it,” I finally replied and forced a smile.
"No pressure." She laughed before pushing one of the heavy doors open.
"After you."
Through the frosted glass, before I even stepped inside the room, a voice cut through the low hum of conversation in the room, easy and low.
“So you mean we are to partner with Voss Global on this project?”
There was a brief pause. Then, the voice continued.
"And where the hell is their representative for this meeting?"
Every muscle in my body froze that I stopped in my tracks. The sound of that voice sent a violent chill racing down my spine.
No, it can't be.
My pulse pounded so loudly I could barely hear anything else.
I knew that voice.
