Chapter 37: Have We Met Before?

The next morning, the alarm rang so loudly that Lena groaned and lazily stretched out her hand to grab her phone. She instinctively switched off the alarm and rolled back into bed. But just as her mind started drifting again, a jolt of realization snapped her fully awake.

She shot up, grabbed her phone, and stared at the screen.

“What!” she screamed.

The shout startled Rossa, who was sleeping on the couch with her limbs sprawled in every direction. She murmured something incoherent, shifted slightly, and promptly fell back asleep.

Lena blinked again at her screen. It was already 8 a.m. and she had a very important meeting at 9. How was she going to get ready and still make it on time?

James had warned her in advance about this meeting; this wasn’t just any meeting. It was with the number one film company in the city…The Tyler Empire owned by none other than the youngest billionaire in the business, Vincent Tyler.

The man was a mystery. Known for avoiding public events and social gatherings, Vincent rarely showed up at meetings himself usually delegating those to his assistant. But today, he was going to be there in person. And Lena had a meeting with him!

She had heard plenty of rumors about Vincent Tyler, how handsome and enigmatic he was but she had never seen him before. No photos. No interviews. Nothing. His elusive presence only added to the hype. And surprisingly, he still had a legion of admirers across the city.

Including Rossa.

Lena often wondered who Rossa really liked, was it James, or Vincent Tyler? It was hard to tell. She had a dozen written about these two men in a dairy that she had designed and called her fairy world. 

A place where she could write down her imagination.

She hadn’t told Rossa about the meeting, knowing full well that if she did, Rossa would fight tooth and nail to tag along. And then, without a doubt, she'd end up embarrassing herself in front of both men she was crushing on.

No, it was better to break the news after the meeting. Lena didn’t need any distractions today. Not when this opportunity could change everything.

The Tyler Empire seeking her work was beyond a dream come true. Who would have thought the book she wrote out of boredom would create such a wave?

Snapping out of her thoughts, Lena jumped out of bed and rushed into the bathroom. She didn’t spend her usual time pampering—just the basics. When she came out, she slipped into a comfortable but presentable outfit, ran a brush through her hair, and checked the mirror once more.

Before leaving, she walked over to wake Rossa.

“I’m heading out for a meeting,” she said, nudging her friend gently.

But Rossa only mumbled something and turned over, still deep in sleep.

“Maybe when I get back,” Lena muttered to herself as she slipped out the door, checking her wristwatch.

As soon as she stepped outside, Lena hopped into the cab she had booked earlier. The car drove itself, sleek and smooth, guided by the latest in AI transportation. Technology had evolved so much that life now moved faster than ever. All she had to do was swipe her debit card across the screen on the car window, and the payment was instantly processed.

Within minutes, the cab pulled up in front of YC Entertainment.

Lena didn’t waste a second. She hurried out and rushed into the towering building. A quick glance at her phone made her stomach drop—it was already 9:15 a.m. The meeting had already started.

Meanwhile, in the sleek, high-ceilinged boardroom, tension lingered in the air like fog.

James kept glancing at his phone, his fingers fidgeting as he tried to call her. The line wouldn’t go through. With a frustrated sigh, he shot her a text:

“Where are you?”

At the center of the long glass table sat a man whose presence seemed to drain the air from the room. He didn’t need anyone to call him handsome—it was self-evident in every sharp feature and polished movement. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the table, each tap echoing with growing impatience.

Those piercing blue eyes turned coldly toward Mr. Fran, James’s father.

“Did you inform your apprentice of the time?” the man asked, voice low and cutting.

Mr. Fran stiffened under his gaze. The chill in Vincent Tyler’s tone was enough to make even the most seasoned executive sweat.

“I… I apologize, Mr. Tyler. She’ll be here in just a few moments,” Mr. Fran said with a nervous smile. He turned to glare at his son across the room.

“I thought you said she’d be on time,” he hissed under his breath.

“She was supposed to be, Dad. Maybe she got stuck in traffic,” James muttered back.

Mr. Fran turned back toward Vincent with another tight smile, but it was clear Mr. Tyler’s patience was wearing dangerously thin.

He stood, clearly ready to leave, when the doorsuddenly swung open.

Lena burst in, slightly out of breath, her cheeks flushed.

“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry I’m late!” she said, bowing her head over and over in apology. James stood immediately to guide her to a seat, trying to calm the rising tension in the room.

Before she could settle, Mr. Fran grabbed her gently by the arm and led her toward the intimidating man at the head of the table.

“Mr. Tyler, this is Elena Smith, our partner and the author of The Two Worlds.”

Lena lifted her eyes to meet the man’s—and froze.

His icy blue gaze locked with hers, and for a strange, heart-stopping moment, something flickered in her chest. A chill swept down her spine.

She hadn’t noticed him when she walked in, too distracted and panicked by the possibility of the meeting being canceled. And truthfully, she wouldn’t have been this late if Rossa hadn’t insisted they drink soda to celebrate last night.

“This man is ridiculously handsome,” she thought, forcing a smile as she reached out to shake his hand.

But the moment their hands touched, a jolt of energy zipped through her like a current, and she flinched, pulling her hand back with a start.

Vincent tilted his head, observing her closely. “Are you alright, Miss Elena?” he asked, his voice surprisingly soft.

The way he said her name—it struck something inside her. It wasn’t just his voice… it was familiar. The sound, the tone, even his gaze—it felt like a memory hidden in a fog.

Had they met before?