chapter 4

Finally, the next day for meetings came, still loaded with a twist. Samantha was right in the middle of doing her presentation when her phone rang. It was Rachel on the other line.

"Ms. Reynolds, there has been a slight change of plans," she said. "Mr. Thornton wants to meet with you today in a private lunch session. He's going to discuss the project further with you.".

Samantha's heart leaped. A lunch meeting? This wasn't in the original schedule, and it would mean she'd be alone with Greg, away from the confines of an office.

"I'll be there," Samantha said, trying to modulate her voice into a comfortable steadiness.

Lunch was booked at a fashionable restaurant with a sophisticated atmosphere and excellent service. Samantha arrived to find Greg already seated at a quiet corner table. He turned toward her as she came toward him. His expression was warm but impossible to read.

"Ms. Reynolds," he said, standing to greet her. "Good to see you.".

"Mr. Thornton," she said, rising with her hand out. She sat down again. Something in the simplicity of the action brought home to her the reality of the position.

He was suave and courtly over dinner, talking about the project with a flattering, slightly unnerving eagerness. Samantha tried hard to keep the conversation firmly on work, but there was something in Greg's easy manner and pointed questions that somehow made that difficult.

"So, how did you get into design?" Greg asked, tipping back in his chair. "I'm just interested in your background, that's all."

Samantha chose her words carefully. "I've always had the passion in art and design. After my college, I worked for small firms before deciding to bring out on my own."

Greg nodded, reflective in his eyes. "You're obviously talented. I'm glad we could bring you aboard for this project."

The conversation flowed well, and then Samantha started to realize that Greg's questions were getting personal—into areas of her life that were becoming increasingly intrusive. She was beginning to wonder what all this had to do with the pitch, but pressed the thoughts to the back of her mind and refocused on the pitch.

Just as dinner was wrapping up, Greg's phone buzzed. He glanced at it, and his expression changed a bit. "Just a minute, excuse me," he said and stepped away to take the call.

Her eyes remained glued to the face sitting across the table as her mind was on fast track. That lunch meeting had whipped her in a swirl of emotions when she was trying to be calm. It was much more acute interest than she had ever expected from Greg, and he was digging out something other than professional insight from her.

When Greg came back, he was a bit preoccupied. Turning back to their conversation, he said, "Sorry about that," trying to smile, "I wanted to talk with you about something in private. Do you happen to be free to drop by my office later today?"

Samantha's stomach tightened. "Later today?"

"Yes," Greg replied. "I want to run through some last-minute stuff and see how we might make some improvements on the project. It won't take a minute."

Samantha agreed, whirling her mind with apprehension. Lunch was wolfed down, and she left the restaurant, a jumble of anxiety laced with curiosity racing in her mind. What did Greg want to talk about so urgently? And why was he so keenly interested in her?

Mixtures of anticipation and dread engulfed her as she walked into Greg's office later that afternoon. The receptionist led her back to the conference room, where Greg was now waiting for her. His demeanor seemed really serious this time.

"Ms. Reynolds, thank you for coming," Greg said, gesturing her to a seat. "I wanted to address something important before we move forward."

Samantha took a chair, her heart thudding. "What is it?

Greg sucked in a deep breath; his eyes finally met hers, both determined and unsure. "I've been thinking much about our conversations, so much so that I can't help but notice something familiar in you. I have done some checking around to see if I am correct, and I found out that you are none other than that same Samantha Reynolds who left the city years back.".

Samantha's heart raced—her secret, protected for all these years, was about to come out. She must think fast.

"Yes, it is me," she confessed, trying to sound level-headed when she really was upside down. "But my past is in the past. I worked hard to build a new life for me and my daughters.".

Greg's eyes widened a bit, but his expression softened. "I didn't mean to intrude. I just wanted to know why your name sounds so familiar. I've been trying to piece things together."

Samantha felt this wave of relief mixed with unease. "I understand, but my focus is more on this project now. I would like to keep my personal life separate.

Greg nodded but continued to look reflective. "Of course. Let's get down to the work. We have a lot to do."

As the dragging of the meeting continued, so did Samantha's efforts—she was really into her job—compared to Gregory's very intrusive questions, which had woken up something in her she desperately wanted to keep safely buried with the horrors of the past. At the same time, she knew she needed to be professional.

At the end of the meeting, she was tired but resolute. She had kept the discussion professional, though the meeting had left her somewhat scarred. Greg's interest and persistence showed no signs of fading whatsoever. She just couldn't rid herself of the gnawing feeling that he was slowly closing in on her true past.

With that, Samantha turned her back on the office—head high, eyes scanning—as always, on guard. She really couldn't afford to let anything slip now that the stakes were so high.