FATE - can a person in one lifetime fall in love with the same person twice?

Chapter 20

It had been five minutes since I had entered his office, and I was sitting quietly in front of him. My gaze was fixed on my lap, avoiding his eyes.

As I entered the office, I found myself standing before Eden Miller, the CEO of the company. His office was impeccably organized, reflecting his meticulous nature. He looked up from his desk, his expression composed yet attentive.

"Ms. Taylor, please have a seat," he said calmly, gesturing to a chair opposite his desk.

I sat down, trying to gather my thoughts amidst the urgency of the situation. "Mr. Miller, thank you for seeing me on such short notice. I apologize for the intrusion, but I have a pressing matter to discuss."

He nodded, his gaze steady. "Go ahead, what can I do for you?"

Since then I have been sitting here without uttering a word.

“What’s the matter, Miss Azalea?” he finally asked, his tone steady and composed.

“I…my…” I tried to speak, but the words wouldn’t come out.

“Yes?” he prompted, still unnecessarily calm. I took a deep breath, trying to relax, but it wasn’t helping.

“The matter is…” I was still staring at my lap.

“Yes, I’m listening,” he said again.

I knew he didn't have a full day to listen, so I had to make my point quickly before he threw me out. Summoning my courage, I finally said, 'I need a loan.

“Why?”

“I…um…” I stuttered again.

“Go on, say it,” he urged, his voice calm.

“My parents’ restaurant burned down,” I finally managed to say, my voice cracking. “Around four this morning. To start over, I need a loan.”

“Sorry, Miss Taylor,” he said after a few moments of silence.

“What?” I finally looked up at him.

“I can’t provide you with a loan,” he began. “Our company policy requires that employees must complete six months of service before they are eligible for a loan. You’ve only been with us for three months.”

“Oh!” That was all I could manage to say, realizing there was nothing more I could do. “Thank you for hearing me out,” I said as I pushed back my chair, got up, and started walking towards the door.

“Miss Taylor,” he called, and I stopped but didn’t turn around.

I could hear his footsteps approaching. He moved closer and now stood between me and the door. I kept my eyes downcast.

“I have an offer for you,” he said, and I looked up at him.

“What?”

“Do you remember,” he began, staring into my eyes, “the proposal?”

“What proposal?” I genuinely had no idea what he was talking about.

“You don’t remember?” he asked. “The one I made outside our apartment?”

Oh… I remembered it now, that strange proposal. But what did he mean by this?

“So?” I asked, my brow furrowed.

“So…” he took a few steps closer, “marry me, Azalea.”

It was the first time he had used my name without any honorifics. Hearing it from his lips in such a familiar way felt strange and unexpected.