Collision Course

[Rose's POV]

I rented a small apartment downtown.It takes fifteen minutes to walk to the PwC firm.

I lied to my mom. I told her I won five hundred thousand dollars in the lottery.I used the money to buy her a new car so she could go out more easily.

I thought everything was finally on track.

This was my second day on the job.At 9 a.m., the engagement manager called me into his office.He looked serious.

"Rose, your resume is impressive," he said."There's an urgent project. We need to move you there right away."

He pushed a file toward me.The words on the cover hit me like a punch.

"Watson Group Annual Audit."

The engagement manager kept talking."The client asked for us to work on-site. It's on the 38th floor of the Watson Building.""Get ready. Go over today. The rest of the team is already there.""From now on, be there by 9:30 every morning."

My chest tightened.I couldn't breathe.

Watson Group.James Watson.

I thought I was ready.I thought I could stay calm.I thought I could collect information, find his weakness, and strike back.

But when that name suddenly hit me, I froze.My hands and feet went cold.

Was this a coincidence?The thought flashed through my mind.I didn't know.I hoped it wasn't something he arranged.

I walked out of the office with the file.Each step felt unreal.

I didn't want to be late.I rushed as fast as I could.But I was still late.

I stood in front of the tall Watson Group building.I looked up.The sun made my eyes dizzy.

The lobby was full of people.Everyone looked sharp.They all walked fast.

There was a long line at the staff elevators.Only the elevator in the far corner was open.Its silver doors were wide.There was only one man inside.No one else was waiting.

I was short on time.I didn't think.I ran in, holding my laptop and documents.

"38th floor, please."I was a little out of breath.My voice was shaky.

The elevator was silent.Then a low male voice came from above me.There was a hint of amusement in it.

"New here?"

That voice.It tore right through my defenses.

My whole body froze.I slowly looked up.I saw a pair of deep, unreadable eyes.

It was him.James Watson.

I finally understood why no one else used this elevator.It was his private one.

Today I was dressed in a plain black suit.I wore glasses that covered half my face.My hair was tied neatly into a bun.

This me looked nothing like the girl from that night.That girl had messy clothes and bare skin.

Did he recognize me?My heart was pounding.

Half of it was fear.The other half… I didn't know.Maybe it was some twisted kind of anticipation.

He glanced at me.His face didn't show any emotion.

He reached past my shoulder.He pressed the button for the 38th floor.

The elevator doors slowly closed.

In that small space, all I could smell was him.His cologne was sharp and strong.It filled my lungs.

I held my laptop tighter.I stopped breathing.

As he pulled his arm back, his elbow brushed mine.

It wasn't hard.But it caught me off guard.

I lost grip of my laptop.It fell to the floor.

The zipper broke open.Papers flew everywhere.

My mind went blank.I squatted down to pick them up.

He didn't move.He just stood there.

He looked down at me from above.His eyes didn't show surprise.Or guilt.

He just watched.Like it was a show.Like I was a bug struggling in a trap.

My face burned.

I grabbed the papers as fast as I could.I shoved them back into the bag.

"Ding."

The 38th floor.

I stood up fast.I held my bag tight.I ran out.

I could feel it.His eyes were still on my back.

…

All afternoon, I couldn't focus.My team was in the meeting room.They were going over the audit plan.I didn't hear a word.

All I could think about was the elevator.Those few seconds.That moment.That elbow.

It was on purpose.I was sure.He remembered me.

Near the end of the day, my phone rang.It was an unknown number.

I stepped into the hallway and picked up.

"Hello?"

"Is this Miss Rose Lang?"The man's voice was formal.He sounded cold.

"Yes, this is she."

"This is the City Traffic Department," he said."Your mother, Celeste Lang, was in a car accident fifteen minutes ago.""It happened on West City Road. She hit a pedestrian.""It's serious. Please come to the First Police Station immediately."

He kept talking.

But I couldn't hear anymore.

My world went silent.

Mom?A crash?She hit someone?

She was driving the car I bought her.

She's my only family.My only weakness.

And something happened.