Chapter 2

"Yes, I'm willing." Alena Wright nodded quickly. Cohen Group was a well-known jewelry design company. If she could study there for a month, she would definitely make great progress.

Christiano looked pleased.
"Very good. From today on, you’re with me. Follow me."

Він розвернувся й пішов уперед, залишивши інших кандидатів позаду.
Alena розгублено кліпнула, але поспішила за ним до офісу президента.

Sitting in the president’s chair, Christiano Cohen watched her with a calm expression. Alena felt nervous and confused, so she asked quietly:
"Sir… why did you give me this opportunity?"

"Don’t you remember me?" Christiano tilted his head slightly, a smile in his eyes. "Alena Wright, primary school girl?"

Alena froze, searching her memory — and then gasped softly.
"Senior Christiano Cohen?"

She truly hadn't expected this.
The president of Cohen Group was her university senior.

"It seems you do remember," Christiano chuckled.

Alena flushed, embarrassed she hadn’t recognized him earlier.
"It’s just… you’ve changed a lot. You look so handsome now I barely dared assume it was you."

She wasn’t flattering. Back in school he wore white shirts and glasses, gentle and scholarly. Now he stood tall and confident in a tailored suit, the glasses gone, his whole presence sharper.

Years ago Christiano had been Chairman of the Student Union. She’d been his secretary for a year until he graduated. And during that year… they had worked together well. Very well.

"You haven’t changed," he said with a soft smile. "Still look like a teenage girl."
Then, more seriously: "I know you. I trust your abilities. That’s why I’m willing to give you this chance. But to avoid rumors in the Design Department, you’ll stay with me for a month. Think of it as temporarily acting as my secretary. I’ll teach you the design basics personally so you can get started quickly."

"Really? That’s amazing. Thank you, senior!"
Alena could hardly contain her excitement.

And so, she officially joined Cohen Group.

Because she already knew Christiano’s work habits, she adapted quickly. Her orderly manner pleased him greatly.

That afternoon, she finished sorting the meeting minutes and brought them to him.
Christiano stepped out of his office.
"Alena, there’s a simple business dinner tonight. Come with me."

"Okay," she agreed immediately.

Even for a simple dinner, she applied light, neat makeup to look professional.

***

That evening, they arrived at the hotel.
Christiano’s reputation worked like a magnet — many guests approached him at once.

"Good evening, Mr. Cohen. I heard Mr. Gray will be here tonight."

At the sound of her ex-husband’s name, Alena’s stomach twisted. She wasn’t ready to see him. Not yet. She tried to think of an excuse, but before she could—

"Mr. Gray is here!"

Her pulse spiked. She turned toward the entrance.

Waylon Gray walked in wearing a black suit, shoulders broad, posture sharp as a blade. Eyes cold, presence commanding. He drew attention effortlessly — as always.

Alena froze. Every muscle tensed. She instinctively took a half-step behind Christiano.

Waylon’s gaze swept the room… and then stopped on them.

He approached, expression unreadable.
"Mr. Cohen. Unexpected."

His tone was polite. The tension beneath it was not.

Christiano replied calmly, though the electricity between them was unmistakable.

Alena stood silently, head lowered, trembling slightly. She prayed Waylon wouldn’t notice her — or worse, recognize her.

But Waylon’s irritation sharpened into curiosity as his eyes slid to Christiano’s side.

Alena forced herself to look up for a second.
Bad idea.

Waylon caught her gaze immediately.

Her breath hitched — but not for the reason she expected.

He didn’t recognize her.

Not even a flicker.

He studied her like a stranger who happened to catch his attention.
"Your new secretary?" he asked Christiano, a subtle smirk tugging at his lips. "Interesting."

His gaze returned to Alena, slow and assessing. Dangerous.
She could feel her hands shaking.

"Mr. Cohen, your secretary is… impressive," Waylon said. His voice was smooth, too smooth. "Tell me, miss… are you willing?"

Christiano instantly stepped in front of her.
"President Gray, that’s inappropriate."

Waylon only looked more amused.
"I just want to make her acquaintance."

He slipped a business card into Alena’s hand — deliberately brushing his fingers along her palm.
Her breath stuttered. Shock, humiliation, panic — all at once.

"I’ll be waiting for your call," he murmured before turning away.

And then he left.

The world around Alena returned in a rush.
Her knees felt weak.
Her fingertips trembled around the still-warm business card.

Waylon had looked at her. Spoken to her. Touched her hand.

And yet… he didn’t know.

After three years of marriage, after everything she’d felt for him —
he didn’t even recognize her face.

It was absurd. Devastating. Humiliating.

Alena’s chest tightened painfully.

So this was his real attitude.
This was what she meant to him.

Nothing at all.