Once Upon a Heartbreak

6 - Clara

The door to my hotel room slams shut behind me, the sound echoing in the small space. I drop my bag on the bed, my heart still racing from the encounter at Grünfeld Agrar.

How dare he? How dare Jonas Bauer act so calm, so composed, so... smug?

I pace the room, trying to shake off the anger that's bubbling up inside me. I can still see his face—those dark, penetrating eyes that seemed to see right through me, that strong, confident demeanor that he wore like a second skin. He knew exactly what he was doing, and he enjoyed every second of it.

It's infuriating how little he's changed. If anything, he's only become more handsome, more self-assured. His brown hair, still as thick and unruly as I remember, falls effortlessly into place, and his face—sculpted, with sharp angles and a jawline that could cut glass—remains just as striking. He's filled out too, his broad shoulders and muscular frame commanding attention, exuding a power that makes it impossible to ignore him.

And that's exactly what makes me so angry.

He had the audacity to sit there, acting like he was in complete control, like the years that passed didn't matter, like I was just another business associate. But I wasn't. I'm not. We have history—painful, complicated history—and he just brushed it aside with that infuriating smirk of his.

I pull off my jacket and throw it onto the chair, my hands trembling with frustration. I was doing so well, holding it together, staying professional. But he saw right through me. He always could. And he used it against me, making me feel small, making me feel like I was the one who did something wrong.

I grab my phone, tempted to call someone—anyone—to vent, to let out this anger that's burning inside me. But who would I call? My friends in Paris? They wouldn't understand. They don't know what happened, not really. I never told them the whole story, never let them see how much it hurt. And my parents... well, that's not an option either. I haven't spoken to them in years, not since I left Himberg and swore I'd never come back.

And yet, here I am. Back in this town, back in this mess, all because of work. I should have known it wouldn't be that simple. I should have known that seeing Jonas again would stir up everything I've tried so hard to bury.

I stop pacing and sit down on the edge of the bed, taking a deep breath. I need to get a grip. I need to stay focused. This is just a job, just another assignment. I can't let him get under my skin. But it's so hard when all I can think about is the way he looked at me, the way he seemed so unaffected.

How dare he?

I close my eyes, trying to calm myself down, but the anger won't go away. He thinks he's so clever, inviting me to that restaurant tonight, acting like it's all business. But I know what he's doing. He's trying to make me uncomfortable, trying to see how far he can push me. And I hate that it's working. I hate that he still has this power over me, after all these years.

I stand up and walk to the window, looking out at the quiet streets of Himberg. The town hasn't changed much, but I have. I'm not the same person I was back then. I'm stronger now, more independent. I've built a life for myself, a successful career, and I'm not going to let Jonas Bauer ruin that. Not again.

I'll go to that restaurant tonight. I'll face him, and I'll show him that I'm not the same woman he once knew. I'll keep my composure, I'll stay professional, and I won't let him see how much he's rattled me. He might think he's in control, but I won't let him win.

Not this time.