As the elevator rose to the executive floor of KAL Apex Financials, Rachel straightened her blazer for the third time. Two weeks had gone by in a blur of flat hunting, school transfers and packing. She felt the weight of her new reality now, standing in the sleek lift of the gleaming skyscraper that dominated the financial district of Aspen. She had spent yesterday getting Darian settled in their makeshift residence. As he explored the new area, the seven-year-old had been quiet.. quieter than normal. She had assured him, "It's just for a little while," and her heart ached at his solemn nod. Darian's therapist had warned her that he was not a good adapter. However, some adjustments were inevitable.
As soon as the elevator chimed, Rachel snapped out of her reverie. The doors opened to reveal an impressive reception area. Everything is chrome, glass, and subtle luxury. Behind the front desk, a modern KAL Apex Financials logo was displayed on the wall. The receptionist was a polished woman with a well-practiced smile who asked, "May I help you?"
"Rachel Sawyer. I represent Atlas Investment Group as the liaison for the merger integration.
The woman's eyes glowed with recognition."You've been anticipated, Ms. Sawyer. I'll inform Mr. Anderson's assistant of your presence".
Mr. Anderson.
Rachel felt her heart falter. It must be a coincidence. Anderson was a popular last name. It isn't possible-
"Mr. Anderson is wrapping up a phone conversation" The woman said completely oblivious to Rachel's sudden pallor. She went on, "His assistant, Greta, will be out shortly to escort you to the conference room where the executive team is gathering."
After giving a robotic nod, Rachel went to sit in the waiting room. Her thoughts were racing. How likely was it that the Anderson from her past would be running KAL, a company she had spent the last two weeks researching in great detail without ever making the connection? However, she had purposefully refrained from searching for the company's executives. She had only paid attention to their corporate structure, market position, and financial performance. Personal information hadn't seemed important.
She wished now fervently that she had been more thorough.
A woman in her middle years, dressed in a fitted suit, came over. "Ms. Sawyer? I'm Greta Winters, the executive assistant to Mr. Anderson. Follow me, please."
Rachel struggled to slow her pounding heart as they passed a row of glass-walled offices. It might not have been him. She reminded herself that Anderson was a common name. Greta said in a conversational tone, "The executive team is excited to meet you. Mr. Anderson in particular. He was very clear that he wanted to supervise your onboarding in person."
Rachel felt a knot in her stomach. "Is that so?"
"Yes. He hardly ever shows this much interest in new hires, even those from acquired businesses." Greta stopped in front of a pair of doors. "We're here."
Rachel took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and went into the conference room with Greta. The man at the head of the long table caught Rachel's attention right away, even though there were six people seated around it.
Kohen Anderson. Time had been on his side. The boyish features she recalled had grown into sharp features. His hair was still the rich brown she had once run her fingers through, but it was shorter and more expertly styled. Across the polished surface of the table, his eyes, those green ones that had once gazed at her with such warmth, met hers with a cool, evaluating look. The air was charged with an electricity that made breathing difficult, and the room briefly appeared to freeze.
Kohen then grinned. It was the same dimpled smile that, for quite different reasons, had made her heart race before.
His voice was deeper than she recalled, but it had the same cadence that haunted her dreams when he said, "Ms. Sawyer. KAL Apex welcomes you. We're delighted to have you join us." His tone was perfectly professional, betraying nothing of their shared history. If it weren't for the intensity of his gaze, she might have believed he didn't recognize her.
"Thank you," Rachel replied, grateful that her voice remained steady. "I'm looking forward to facilitating a smooth integration between our companies."
Kohen gestured to an empty chair, directly to his right. "Please come sit. We were just talking about the merger's timeline.
As introductions were made around the table, Rachel took a seat, keenly aware of Kohen's closeness. Knowing that she would need to try later to link faces with titles correctly, she took a mechanical note of each name. The man next to her was taking up too much of her thoughts at the moment, and the subtle aroma of his cologne brought back memories she had assumed were safely hidden. As the meeting went on, topics like departmental integrations, logistics, and anticipated timelines were covered. Rachel used her in-depth understanding of Atlas's systems and culture to contribute where it was appropriate. But while she appeared to be the competent professional she had put so much effort into becoming, she was in turmoil within.
"Ms. Sawyer will be our primary point of contact throughout this transition." Kohen informed his team. "In order to make communication easier, she will have an office next to mine."
Rachel's head jerked up. "Next to yours?"
Something unreadable flickered in Kohen's eyes as he met her gaze. "Is that an issue?"
Five sets of inquisitive eyes looked at her, anticipating her answer. Rachel swallowed forcefully. "Not at all," she stated with ease. "For coordination purposes, it makes perfect sense."
"Excellent," Kohen said with a tone that only she would recognize, a hint of satisfaction. "Now, please pardon us, but I would like to speak with Ms. Sawyer privately to go over her specific role in greater detail."
Rachel found herself alone with the one person she had hoped to never see again as the others filed out. Kohen's businesslike demeanor changed slightly as soon as the door shut. Her skin pricked as he studied her intently, leaning against the conference table with his arms folded.
"Rachel Sawyer," he drawled as if he were tasting her name. "They send you to my company. Out of all the financial analysts in the world." Notable amusement threaded his tone.
"I didn't know," Rachel said right away. "I was unaware that KAL Apex was your business."
"KAL," Kohen said again. "Kohen Anderson Luke. You failed to see the connection?"
Rachel's cheeks became hot. "I was more concerned with the finances than the ownership."
Kohen's laugh lacked humor. "Always so pragmatic. At least nothing's changed."
Finding her footing, Rachel retorted, "Many things changed. A lot of time has passed."
"Eight years," Kohen said without hesitation. "Eight years, three months and about seventeen days. Who is counting, though?"
Shortly after, a returning board member interrupted them to retrieve a forgotten personal item. "Sorry," the woman apologised and then hurried off.
Rachel was stunned at how exact his response was. Before she could reply, he pushed away from the table and leaned closer, their faces merely inches apart.
"What do you think you're doing?!" Rachel asked the moment the door closed behind them, her vision glazed with controlled fury.
The corner of his mouth tilted to a smile, unfazed by her outburst. "Getting you back."
Rachel stopped, the straightforward comment striking her like a physical blow. She said, pointing between them, "I'm not here for.. whatever this is. I'm here to do a job."
Kohen agreed, his tone shockingly reasonable. "Of course," he said. So am I. My responsibility is to see this merger through to success. And yours are meant to support me in doing that."
He strode to the door and opened it with great flourish. "Greta is going to show you your workplace. At two, we meet with the IT department to go over system compatibility."
Rachel stood and used hands not quite steady to smooth her skirt. She passed him in the doorway, and he slanted slightly. "Welcome home, Raye," he murmured, only he had such effects of turning her nickname sensuous.
Whether from fear or something else completely, the familiar address caused a shudder down her spine and James Russell's third rule, no office fraternization, had clearly become infinitely more difficult.