Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring
Billionaire Shadow 40

Chapter 40

Blackthorn Holdings didn't waste any time getting back to W2 Holdings. In a matter of days, plans were underway. Places and times, even the country where the meeting was to be held, were nailed down. Emma really hadn't thought through what would happen when she hit send on that email. There was just no avoiding Alexander now. Dread and nervous anticipation swirled together inside her. How would she keep her identity a secret from him? How would she handle it, seeing him after them? all these years, with everything there lay between

Alexander had mercifully left the choosing of the restaurant to her. After a great deal of reflection, she finally chose a Japanese Zashiki restaurant boasting strict policies concerning privacy. The construction of the restaurant offered a feeling of security that she really needed; one could dine in semi-private rooms divided by thin walls made of wood. Reflections could be glimpsed in the wood, but neither person could very well see the other without opening the door. It was a perfect place to stay hidden and yet be able to communicate, allowing her to keep up the charade a little longer.

Yet, still small doubts nibbled perhaps he would recognize her voice or something too familiar in her presence. And so she had a Plan B-if things didn't go well, she would suddenly leave, pretend to be sick, or something anything that would not lead to a complete revelation.

In a week, the evening of the meeting finally arrived. Heavy, relentless beats thudded in her heart as she prepared to leave. She had hired a nanny to take care of her son, promising she would not be away for long. Thrown upon her child sleeping peacefully was one last, long glance, as in a quiet reassurance, she whispered out of the door.

The drive was short, an eternity. She arrived half an hour early, arking the rented car blocks away in case anyone happened to recall his license plate number. With each step closer toward the restaurant, she felt her nervousness increase. She ducked inside, thankful for the darkness that disguised her jumpiness, and sat down on the mat, taking several long breaths to try to still her heart. Every faint noise-the clinking of cutlery, the rustling of paper menus-was magnified, and it whetted her appetite even more.

It wasn't more than a few moments later that the soft shuffle alerted her to Alexander's arrival. Right on time, without fail Never a second too early or too late; his precision was one of those things she would never forget. The door slid open on his side, and though she didn't have a full view, the gravity of the air carried the sense of his presence, one that hadn't diminished over time. Her breath caught, her hand shaking slightly as she lifted her teacup.

This was

The waiter reached their table and sat her meal in front of her, the aroma of subtle cuisine wafting up. She swallowed. fighting for a voice that seemed to even out a little. Focus, Emma She told herself again why she was here-to talk about the future of their companies, not to dig up the past.

Emma's fingers quivered slightly as she readjusted her scarf, her heartbeat pounding loud enough that she worried someone might hear it. All she could think was that she actually sat opposite him, just a flimsy wood divide between them. She could see his shadowy reflection on the panel, a tall, composed figure-every inch the commanding presence she remembered. Her throat tightened. She had found herself here all because of her despiracy to save her daughter, but now that she was mere inches from Alexander, old memories and emotions crept in, uninvited.

Alexander spoke first, immediately beyond the divider, his tone brisk and businesslike. "I assume you're the CEO of W2 HOLDINGS," he said. His voice sent jolts through her, fetching images of nights she had slept under his roof with hope of a better tomorrow.

1

"Yes," she said, her voice even, but the word was like an empty shell. She knew she must be brief, measured. The less he heard her voice, the better..

Alexander leant slightly forward, his reflection blurring as he did so. "Then let's get down to it, he said, curt as ever I really appreciate you coming all this way, Alexander said, piercing ye restrained eyes. "It means a lot." Forcing a polite sinile onto her face, hoping it concealed the humming tension within her, Emma said, "It's fine

*Speaking of my proposal to W2 HOLDINGS, I have a couple of les that I want you to go through.

12:54 Tue, Dec 17 ti

Chapter 40

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"Okay." She steadied her voice, but inside, her heart was a chaotic mess. Stick to the plan, Emma reminded herself. She had worked so hard to keep her identity hidden. This meeting had to go according to plan.. A heavy silence filled the room before Alexander spoke again. "If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you a question."

Emma blinked and made a lousy attempt to hide her astonishment "Yes, she answered furtively.

"Who is Emily Smith to you?

Emma spat the tea into her cup, composure broken for a second. She hadn't expected such a direct question, and her mind sputtered as she wiped at her mouth, recovering "She's.someone very important to me," she said softly. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes, but she fought them back. She just couldn't fall apart now.

The scowl on Alexander's face softened, but his voice betrayed the edge of bitterness she knew too well. "You wouldn't have replied to any of my emails if it hadn't been for her, would you?

"No." Emma's voice was barely a whisper, thick with emotions she had tried so desperately to bury

A silence stretched between them, heavy with a mix of vulnerability and unspoken resentment. Alexander's gaze remained steadfast, and Emma knew he was trying to unravel her. "I want to know more about you," he said finally, his tone soft yet stubborn. "The woman I'll be working closely with... What was your life like before Mrs. Walker found you?

Emma froze, the beat of her heart heightening as memories she had deeply buried came flooding back. One lone tear. betrayed her and rolled down her check despite the effort she had put into not letting it. Barely above a whisper, she replied, "Dead." She suddenly stopped, realising she was saying too much "After you... The words slipped out before she could catch them, and her heart twisted as she realized what she'd almost admitted to. She corrected herself hastily, "I mean, I was nothing. I felt like a living dead."

An awkward silence stretched between the two of them, until Emma balled her hands into fists angry at herself for all but disclosing her past. It was a vulnerable sensation- as though she'd just handed him a weapon he might use against her.

Then Alexander spoke, in a low tone, yet uncomfortably near to her. "Your voice...it sounds familiar..

Emma's heart skipped, and with a surge of panic lancing her chest, she managed to grit out, "What?"

"The way you pronounce your 'r's... I could swear I've heard it before," he reflected, his gaze suddenly narrowing suspiciously. She forced a casual shrug, a weak attempt at brushing off his curiosity. "People say that a lot." "Did you change your name to your mother's...or leave it as it was?

As her heart rate sped up, she stabilized her gaze, determined to be in control again. "I believe we should revert to the purpose of this meeting, Mr. Black,' she said, her voice firm and resolute. "Let's talk about the futur

e plans for our companies."

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12:54 Tue, Dec 17