Catherine
The hum of the city passed in a blur outside the cab window, but Catherine barely noticed. Her thoughts were too loud.
Rina sat beside her, sipping iced coffee and trying to lighten the mood. "You sure you're okay to go back in there?" she asked, gesturing toward the looming office building ahead.
Catherine gave a small nod. "Yeah. I can't hide forever."
"Good. Because I did not put on makeup at 7 a.m. just for you to back out last-minute." Rina smirked. "And also, they're kinda expecting us."
Catherine cracked the faintest smile. "Fair enough."
Catherine sat quietly in the passenger seat of Rina's car, staring out at the early morning city haze. The weight of the conversation from last night still pressed against her chest like a stone. She tried to push it down, but it kept bubbling up those tangled feelings, the memories, the questions she wasn't ready to answer.
Rina glanced over at her, brow furrowed. "You've been quiet this morning. More than usual."
Catherine forced a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Just tired. That's all.I'm fine. Just… haven't been in the mood for people lately."
Rina didn't buy it. She'd known Catherine long enough to see through the cracks. "Catherine, I get it. But you can't run forever."
They stepped out of the cab and headed through the glass doors of Stonebridge & Cole Marketing, their heels clicking softly against the marble floor. Everything looked the same — the polished floors, the receptionist's fake smile, the smell of burnt coffee — and yet the energy felt… off. Tense.
"I swear something's going on," Rina whispered as they approached their floor.
Catherine's brows drew together. "Why? What happened?"
"Because the office group chat's been going crazy all morning."
As if on cue, they stepped into the elevator and heard murmurs from the hallway before the doors even opened fully. People were whispering in tight clusters, clutching folders and coffee cups like shields.
"What did we miss?" Rina said under her breath.
A manager they barely knew clapped his hands once. "Everyone, conference room. Now. Big announcement."
Catherine exchanged a glance with Rina, her stomach dipping a little.
They filed in with the rest of the team. Someone coughed. Someone else dropped a pen.
The VP stood at the front, stiff-backed and serious. "Effective this morning," he began, "Stonebridge & Cole has officially been acquired by Wilson Global Holdings."
A quiet gasp rippled through the room.
Catherine blinked. Wilson what?
She glanced at Rina, who looked just as confused.
"This transition will affect management structure, department resources, and"
Catherine's attention drifted. The name "Wilson" echoed in her mind, but only in the abstract. It didn't click. It meant nothing. Just another faceless billionaire snapping up smaller firms.
She didn't know the name behind it. She didn't know it was him.
Jason
Jason sat back in his chair, staring at the long list of names on his screen like they were some kind of puzzle he couldn't quite solve. The night they'd met replayed in his mind — her wild, defiant eyes, the way she'd followed him without hesitation. He didn't even know her name, and that was driving him nuts.
His phone buzzed, breaking the silence.
"Dude, I think I got something." Zane's voice crackled through the speaker, full of that casual grin Jason could almost hear.
"Spill it, Carter," Jason said, pushing his chair back, fingers tapping against the desk. "You found her in that CCTV feed yet?"
"Finally, yeah," Zane said, a hint of triumph in his tone. "Got her," Zane's voice came with a grin that Jason could almost hear. "Catherine Smith. Works at Stonebridge & Cole marketing as a freelancer.
Jason turned, eyes sharp. "Address?"
Zane raised an eyebrow, but answered anyway. "Headquarters is in Midtown. Office suite on the 18th floor. I'll get you her address soon"
Jason let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Catherine," he muttered, tasting the name like it was a secret he'd been dying to know. "How the hell did you find her?"
Zane laughed. "You think I'd let you stew in mystery forever? Nah, man, I'm your best friend and your damn assistant. Someone's gotta keep you from losing your mind."
Jason smiled, a little reluctant but thankful. "Yeah, well, don't expect a thank you."
"Yeah, yeah, spare me. So, what now? You gonna show up at her office with a bouquet of roses or what?"
"Buy it," Jason said suddenly, voice low.
Zane blinked. "Come again?"
"Stonebridge & Cole. I want it under my holdings by the end of the week."
Zane stared at him for a second, then let out a long breath. "You're serious."
There was a pause. Then Zane whistled low. "Wow, bold move. Going full CEO romantic, huh? Buying the whole firm to keep a girl close? You never cease to surprise."
"It's not just about keeping her close," Jason said, voice low, almost a growl. "I don't want to let her slip away again. I don't know what this obsession is, curiosity, hell, maybe it's something real. But I need to know."
Zane chuckled. "Fair enough. Just don't scare her off before you even get the chance."
Jason rolled his eyes but felt the tension inside him loosen just a bit. Maybe he wasn't totally lost.
"Keep digging. If she's as complicated as I think, we'll need all the ammo we can get."
Zane cleared his throat "Aren't you forgetting to say something"
Jason raised an eyebrow
"Maybe a thank you" he said
"Zane , don't push it" he said with a slight frown on his face
"Ok. Fine then. Mission 'Find Catherine' is officially underway," Zane said with a smirk. "I'll keep you posted. And don't you think I deserve that raise." He added with a smirk
"Zane" he said his voice deep
"Ok, fine . I'll get back to work ""Ungrateful" he muttered.
Jason hung up and stared out his window again, the city lights blurring as his mind raced. Catherine Smith. Not jus
t a name anymore. A real person. And maybe the one person he couldn't afford to lose.
"Catherine"