JUST ONE NIGHT

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my body knew something my intellect had not yet figured out. This was intended to be a win for me, an agreement that would propel Ava LTD to new hei

s Ltd. The CEO wi

eous grin, but my tho

inutes to spare. In situations like this, my thoughts constantly turned to

y. When the connection connected, I he

it M

htened. "Hello, my Princes

so sweet and pure. I could hear her smiling over the

ed, my voice breaking slightly. I hadn't rea

hoping to keep the discussion ligh

seemed like a depa

! When are you going to come back home?" He

o

and cherished. "I'll return as soon as I can, sw

"But come back soon, okay? I'd want to play yo

hear it. "You are getting ready for school, right?" "Yep!" she answered, adding in a

t tears were n

princess, no matte

Mom. Do not w

owing it was a lie. "I love you m

ne went dead, and so did t

e, and single parenthood had led me to this encounter. Ava LTD was more

. The woman behind the counter reappeared, directing me to the elevator. My anxie

et today

and spotless, with the aroma of polished wood and sile

d one of Washington's largest corporations. He was a key speaker at the conference five years ago

ished and composed, like the wea

nt demeanor faded. His countenance froze, and I caught a f

Bennett." His eyes widened at the mention of my name, and for

es... Wait. Those eyes

n those eyes in numerous situations-a

, and the blurry edges of a man who wasn't quite himself, whom I'd met outsid

attempting to main

night was more comfortable, unlike the s

notice anything else, and too preoccupied with my own misery to remember well. But the memories were flooding

tightened. "It's a pleasure to meet you," I murmured, for

lmost guilty. When he finally spoke, his voice trembled slightly. "Sophia. Yes. "We're... we're excited about this partnership," h

made me unc

e reme

wanted to confront him and ask whether he was Dickson Miles, the m

ce." His hand froze in midair for a brief minute before recovering rapidly. "No," he replied, too fast.

med uneasily in his seat. His eyes shot away

fessionalism took precedence. This was extremely crucial for Ava LTD. I co

, I kept thinking about the warmth of his hands and the sweet way he looked at me. H

documents with a tiny quiver in his palm.

marked abruptly. "We look f

th Pearls LTD." But even as I spoke, I couldn't shake the notion that thi

t clenched. My mind raced with que

actually be the m

ng me in my spinning thoughts. This deal with Pearls LTD has been a long-time dream. But now... I wasn't s

the time being, I would focus on Ava

the burden of the past wei

er yet. It was