CHAPTER THREE: The Past That Won't Stay Buried.
Chidimma stood outside Julian's office, her heart still racing from their unexpected encounter.
She took a deep breath.
You need this job.
No matter what.
"Pull yourself together," she muttered under her breath before stepping back inside.
Julian was seated behind his desk, flipping through some documents as if nothing had happened.
As if she meant nothing.
"Sit," he said without looking up.
Chidimma hesitated for a second before taking the seat opposite him.
The silence between them was suffocating.
"You'll be handling my schedule," Julian began, his tone strictly professional. "Meetings, calls, appointments. I don't like mistakes."
"I understand," she replied calmly, even though her chest was tight.
Finally, he looked up.
Their eyes met.
And for a split second… everything came rushing back.
The memories.
The love.
The pain.
Chidimma quickly looked away.
"I won't disappoint you," she added.
A faint, unreadable expression crossed Julian's face.
"You already did once," he said quietly.
Her head snapped up.
"What does that mean?" she asked, anger rising in her voice.
Julian leaned back, studying her.
"You left," he said simply.
Chidimma's eyes widened in disbelief.
"I left?" she repeated. "Are you serious right now?"
"Yes," he replied coldly. "You disappeared without a word."
Her chest tightened.
"Are you forgetting something?" she shot back. "You were the one who walked away. You left me in the rain like I meant nothing to you!"
The room fell silent again.
This time, heavier.
Julian's jaw clenched slightly.
"There are things you don't understand," he said.
"Then explain!" Chidimma demanded. "Because from where I stand, you broke me for no reason."
For a moment, it looked like he wanted to say something.
Something important.
But instead, he looked away.
"It's in the past," he said flatly. "Focus on your job."
Chidimma laughed bitterly.
"In the past?" she repeated. "You don't get to decide that."
Before Julian could respond, a sharp knock interrupted them.
"Come in," he said.
The door opened, and a tall, elegant lady walked in, her heels clicking confidently against the floor.
She was beautiful.
Confident.
And clearly familiar with the place.
"Julian, you didn't answer my calls," she said, walking straight toward him.
Then her eyes landed on Chidimma.
She paused.
"And who is this?" she asked, her tone slightly sharp.
Julian didn't hesitate.
"My assistant," he replied.
Something about the way he said it felt distant.
Cold.
The lady's gaze lingered on Chidimma, scanning her from head to toe.
"Oh," she said with a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm Vanessa."
Chidimma forced a polite smile.
"Chidimma," she replied.
But deep down…
Something didn't feel right.
Vanessa turned back to Julian, placing a hand lightly on his shoulder.
"We have dinner tonight, remember?" she said softly.
Chidimma's heart skipped.
Dinner?
Julian didn't respond immediately.
And in that brief moment of silence, Chidimma felt something she thought she had buried long ago.
Jealousy.
Pain.
Confusion.
"Of course," Julian finally said.
That was all she needed to hear.
Chidimma stood up immediately.
"Excuse me," she said quickly, not trusting herself to stay any longer.
She walked out before anyone could stop her.
As soon as the door closed behind her, she leaned against the wall, trying to steady her breathing.
Why does this still affect me?
She clenched her fists.
No.
She wasn't that girl anymore.
She wouldn't be weak again.
Inside the office, Julian's expression darkened as he stared at the door Chidimma had just walked through.
And for the first time since she returned…
He looked troubled.
Because the past he tried so hard to bury…
Was slowly coming back to life.