Chapter 2: The Woman She Remembered
Lauren continued eating as if nothing had happened.
That was the thing about people like her.
They could hurt someone and immediately move on because, in their mind, the other person’s feelings were never important enough to remember.
I changed into a fresh shirt in the office upstairs.
When I looked into the mirror, I barely recognized the person staring back.
Not because of the stain.
Because of the memory.
For years, I carried every insult Lauren ever threw at me.
You’re not smart enough.
You’ll never fit in.
People like us don’t become successful.
Funny how the people who hurt you the most are sometimes the ones who know the least about who you become.
A knock came at the door.
“Maya?””
I turned.
Daniel stood there.
“You want me to remove that table?””
I shook my head.
“No.””
“After what she did?””
I smiled slightly.
“Especially after what she did.””
Daniel looked confused.
“Why?””
“Because she still thinks she knows me.””
He leaned against the door.
“Who is she?””
“Someone from my past.””
“That bad?””
I looked toward the dining room.
“Worse.””
A few minutes later, I walked downstairs.
Lauren immediately noticed me.
“Oh, you changed.””
“Yes.””
She smiled.
“Good. I was worried you’d walk around with that stain all night.””
“I own the restaurant, Lauren.””
Her expression changed.
Only slightly.
But I noticed.
“I know.””
“No. You knew I worked here.””
She paused.
“What’s the difference?””
“The difference is you saw a uniform and assumed you understood my life.””
For once, she had no immediate answer.
Then she laughed.
“Maya, don’t make this dramatic.””
There it was.
The phrase she always used.
Whenever she was wrong, she made the reaction the problem.
“I spilled a drink. That’s all.””
I looked at her.
“Accident?””
She smiled.
“Of course.””
I nodded.
“Then we have nothing to discuss.””
I walked away.
But I could feel her watching me.
Twenty minutes later, the restaurant doors opened.
Three people entered wearing expensive suits.
At the front was Richard Hale, the CEO of Northbridge Capital.
Behind him were two executives carrying folders.
Lauren immediately stood.
Her entire personality changed.
The arrogant girl disappeared.
A professional smile appeared.
“Mr. Hale?””
Richard looked surprised.
“Lauren Pierce?””
“Yes. I’m with Pierce & Cole Financial.””
“I know.””
She extended her hand.
“I’m honored you came tonight.””
Richard shook her hand politely.
“I’m looking forward to hearing your proposal.””
Lauren smiled proudly.
Then she looked around.
“Beautiful restaurant, isn’t it?””
Richard nodded.
“It is.””
She lowered her voice.
“The owner has done a great job.””
I walked toward them.
Richard saw me first.
His face immediately brightened.
“Maya.””
Lauren froze.
Just for a second.
But it was enough.
“Wait,” she said.
Richard smiled.
“Maya Thompson. Founder and CEO of Bell & Bloom Hospitality.””
Lauren stared at me.
I watched every thought cross her face.
Confusion.
Shock.
Denial.
Then fear.
“No,” she whispered.
I tilted my head.
“No?””
She forced a laugh.
“I just didn’t realize…”
“That I owned the restaurant?””
Silence.
Richard looked between us.
“Do you two know each other?””
Lauren opened her mouth.
I answered first.
“High school.””
Her smile became uncomfortable.
“Yes. We knew each other.””
Richard smiled.
“Well, that makes tonight interesting.””
Interesting.
That was one word for it.
Lauren sat down slowly.
The woman who had spent years measuring people by appearances had finally realized she had measured me wrong.
But she still didn’t know the most important part.
The restaurant wasn’t the reason she needed me.
The account wasn’t the reason she should have been careful.
Because tomorrow morning, the final decision about Pierce & Cole’s future partnership would be made.
And Lauren still believed she was the person with power.
She didn’t know the investors had asked me one question before choosing a financial partner.
A question that would decide everything.
May you like
*“Maya, after everything you’ve built, who do you trust to protect your company’s future?””*
And now I had to decide whether Lauren Pierce deserved that trust.
