Chapter 3
I bought an apartment in Berge Nacree and brought my parents to stay here.
Yemima became our marketing director. As for Werner, there was always this inexplicable feeling between us.
"Wendi, the merger documents are ready," Yemima said as she walked into my office, grinning from ear to ear.
"Why are you so happy?" I asked with a quick look at her before going back to my documents.
"Guess who the new CFO is?" she asked teasingly.
I didn't even look up from the documents she handed me. "Who?"
"Marceau Soulier," she answered with great deliberation.
My fingers tightened around the document instantly, and the papers became crumpled.
"Surprise! Isn't it crazy? Who would've thought we'd be working together now? Talk about fate!" Yemima was too caught up in the excitement of the coincidence to notice the change in my expression.
"Are you sure it's the same Marceau Soulier from our high school?" I watched her intently, desperately hoping the answer was a "No."
"I'm sure! He moved to Berge Nacree last week. I heard Werner headhunted Marceau himself..." Yemima prattled excitedly.
Then she stopped abruptly and examined me worriedly. "Are you okay? You look really pale."
I stood up and walked to the window. Then, I took a long, deep breath.
For six years, I had gone out of my way to avoid any situation where I might run into Marceau. I even made up excuses not to go home for the holidays.
But fate still managed to direct him right back into my life.
"I'm fine." I turned around and replied in a steely, almost sinister voice. "Let's prepare for the meeting."
In the conference room, Marceau stood before the projector in a crisp suit, delivering his self-introduction.
At 25, he had gained a newfound maturity since high school. He exuded an air of sophistication in every gesture.
"...I'm really excited to join such a dynamic team." As he made his speech confidently, his eyes swept across the room. However, when he caught sight of me, he appeared startled momentarily before he quickly composed himself.
I kept a straight face as I flipped through the documents, but my heart was racing like crazy.
In my previous life, I was already married to Marceau at this point. I had put my career on hold just to take care of him and our adopted daughter, Eunice Soulier.
Whenever I remembered how I died alone in that hospital ward, I couldn't help shuddering.
Werner suddenly called out, "Wendoline, any thoughts on the financial budget?"
All eyes shifted to me. I raised my head and met Marceau's probing gaze.
"No comment," I said out loud as I released my pen from my sweaty palm.
"But there's something I need to announce," I added. "I'm resigning."
The conference room fell silent in shock.
*****
Werner came barging into my office while I was packing up my stuff.
"Explain yourself." He requested in a deep voice after he closed the door.
"It's personal," I replied casually.
"Is it because of Marceau?" Werner asked suddenly.
This guy was truly perceptive. "You two know each other?" he pressed further.
I paused momentarily. "We were classmates in high school."
"Just classmates? You're not acting like he's just a classmate." Werner came closer and probed further.
I gave a bitter smile. Werner was far too sharp for me to hide anything from him.
"I used to have a crush on him," I answered simply.
At least, in this life, he was an ex-crush.
"Is it worth giving up everything you've worked so hard for these past five years?" Werner asked again.
He placed his hands on my desk. "You're quitting just to avoid one guy? Wendoline, are you out of your mind?"
"You don't understand..." I muttered.
"Then help me understand!" Werner uncharacteristically raised his voice at me.
"Wendoline, I've known you for five years. You're not someone who runs from responsibility. Are you really going to give up everything just because of someone from your past?"
I looked at his furious expression. The atmosphere in the room felt very stifling all of a sudden.
"Werner..." I wanted to explain, but was cut off abruptly.
"Stay," he said in a much softer tone.
"If you really don't want to see him, I can transfer him to Shaloburg. But don't resign. The company needs you, and I..."
He didn't finish, but somehow, I knew what he meant.
My heart became knotted up suddenly.
In my previous life, I never felt anything like this. This feeling of being cherished and being needed by someone was refreshing.
"I need some time to think," I finally blurted out.
Werner nodded, but just before leaving, he added, "Don't let him screw up your life twice."
His words stabbed me right in the heart.
Werner was right. I had already allowed Marceau to ruin my life once. Was I really going to let him do it again?
After work, Marceau stopped me on my way to the elevator.
"Can we talk?" he asked gently. That tone was so similar to the one he used to pacify me in my previous life.
"I don't see the necessity," I said as I brushed past him.
Marceau reached out and grabbed my arm. "Wendi, why have you been avoiding me for so many years?"
I shook my arm free. "Mr. Soulier, please show me some respect."
"I know you don't have feelings for me anymore. But give me just five minutes. There's something important I need to tell you," Marceau said in a low, urgent voice.
"Something important?" I gave a scornful laugh. "Like when you and Annabelle Zazou are getting married? Or did you two have a daughter and want me to come celebrate?”
Marceau's expression changed drastically. "How did you know about Annabelle? And I never told anyone I had a daughter."
Only then did I realize I had made a slip of the tongue.