Chapter 14: Fate Or Coincidence?
His chest tightened. Recognition slammed into him. It was her.
It really was her—the girl from five years ago. The girl who had looked at him with tearful eyes and trembling hands, who had come into his life like a storm one night and then vanished the next.
No matter how hard he’d tried to find her, he just couldn’t.
Jake leaned back slowly, eyes narrowing, studying her with new intensity. "Tell me, Miss Howells," he said carefully, "have we met before?"
Bella’s heart lurched, panic flashing through her veins. Did he recognize her? It couldn’t be. If he did, he wouldn’t have asked her that. Besides, she had a reason to recognize his face, but him? He didn’t have a reason to. She concluded.
She forced herself to laugh lightly, shaking her head. "No, sir. I don’t think so. I’d certainly remember if we had."
Her words came out smoothly, but inside she was crumbling. Of course, I remember you, Jake. How could I not? You’re the man who lied. The man who changed the course of her life with just one lie.
Jake tilted his head, unconvinced. The denial in her voice didn’t match the flicker in her eyes, or the way her hands gripped the edge of the chair just a little too tightly.
She recognized him, too but was obviously lying to him.
He nodded, deciding not to press further. Not yet.
"Strange," he murmured, leaning back in his chair, a faint smile ghosting his lips. "I could’ve sworn you looked familiar."
Bella kept her eyes lowered, pretending to be busy with the folder he slid across the desk.
Jake let the silence stretch, his gaze never leaving her. Inside, his thoughts churned. She was lying — he was sure of it. That mole, those eyes, that voice... There was no mistaking her. She could hide behind her polished clothes and calm tone, but he knew. She was the one who had refused his help and had wanted to pay for whatever money he gave her.
And if she thought she could walk into his world again and pretend otherwise, she was wrong.
Jake’s jaw tightened ever so slightly as he masked his thoughts behind a professional facade. Outwardly, he was the cool, detached CEO. But inside, he was making a vow.
’Fine, Bella. Pretend you don’t remember me. Pretend that night never happened. But you’re working for me now... and I’ll use every single day to make you remember until you can’t hide it anymore,’ he thought with a wicked smirk.
Bella dared to glance up, meeting his gaze just briefly. The intensity in his eyes almost made her flinch. She quickly looked away, telling herself she could handle this — she had to. For Timothy. For her fresh start.
"Your first assignment," Jake said smoothly, sliding a thick report across the desk, "is to summarize this and have it on my desk by the end of the day. Think you can manage that?"
Bella nodded quickly, her voice steadier than she felt. "Yes, sir."
Jake’s lips curved faintly, though his eyes remained sharp, calculating. "Good. Welcome to StoneTech, Miss Howells."
The words rang with double meaning, and Bella’s stomach twisted.
Because she knew, deep down, this was only the beginning.
Bella walked out of Jake’s office with her folder clutched tightly to her chest, the door clicking shut behind her.
The moment she was alone in the corridor, her knees went weak. She pressed her back against the wall, eyes squeezed shut, forcing herself to breathe.
Her heart hadn’t stopped racing since the second she laid eyes on him.
So, his name was Jake.
The name itself made her insides twist with a mix of anger and fear. He looked the same — sharper, stronger, more powerful than the man she remembered — but it was him.
The man who had lied to her. The man who had told her he couldn’t make her pregnant. The man whose lie had given her Timothy... her biggest pain and her greatest joy.
She had looked into his eyes and denied him. Pretended not to know him. She’d thought the lie would come easier, but her throat was still raw from forcing the words out.
How could I not remember? She thought bitterly, fighting back tears. How could I forget the man who turned my whole life upside down with just one night?
A night she’d hoped could save her mother but had ended up being a black day. What was she supposed to do now? Quit the job? How would she survive working for someone she hates this much?
A humorless laugh escaped her mouth as she thought about everything. This has to be one hell of a nightmare.
The sound of approaching heels broke through her spiraling thoughts. Bella quickly straightened, wiping at her eyes just as Chloe rounded the corner.
"There you are!" Chloe whispered, rushing over with wide eyes. "I couldn’t help myself. I just had to come check — how did it go? He didn’t eat you alive, right?" she asked, looking Bella over.
Bella looked at Chloe, contemplating whether to tell Chloe about it or not. She quickly decided against it when she remembered they were still in the company premises.
She quickly forced a stiff smile. "It... went fine," she said instead.
Chloe tilted her head, studying her carefully. Bella’s smile was too tight, her grip on the folder too firm. "Fine?" Chloe echoed. "That’s it? Come on, tell me the truth. What’s he like? Is he really the devil everyone says he is?" she asked curiously, wondering what might’ve happened to make Bella that serious.
Bella swallowed hard, her throat dry. For a moment, her mind replayed the way Jake’s piercing gaze had pinned her in place, how he had asked if they’d met before. How the weight of his stare had made her feel like he could see straight through her.
Her lips parted, but she forced the words back down and shook her head. "No," she said at last, her voice steady but low. "He’s... just different than I expected."
Chloe raised a brow, clearly fishing for more. "Different how? Is it in a good way or a bad way?"
Bella looked away, staring down the hall toward the elevator. She couldn’t tell Chloe the truth and until Chloe knew the truth, she wouldn’t stop pestering her.
She clenched her jaw and forced a casual shrug. "He’s just... not what the rumors say. That’s all."
Chloe pursed her lips but didn’t push further. "Well, at least that’s good news, right? You’ll survive working for him after all."
Bella’s fingers dug into the folder. "I don’t think so," she muttered before she could stop herself, making Chloe raise a brow.
"I knew it! Something happened in there, right? What happened?" she asked again and Bella shook her head.
"I’ll tell you about it when we get home," she said simply.
Chloe watched her and sighed when she saw how serious Bella looked. Ordinarily, she would’ve pressed to know about it but seeing Bella’s expression, she knew better than to press.
"Alright. Let’s talk at home. I’ll go get busy now," Chloe said, robbing Bella’s hand in comfort.
Bella nodded and sighed as she watched Chloe leave. This was going to be one very long day, working for someone she hated. She would’ve quit there and then, but it would affect Chloe, seeing that she recommended her to them.
She’d just talk it out with Chloe and decide what to do next.