We Will Love Again Episode 8

📖 The Story Continues

At 9:15 the next morning, Joey Hemming stared at Alaina’s empty desk with mounting disbelief. The office had been prepared for the most important meeting in Crazy Maple Studio’s history, yet one of his three senior writers was missing.

“Where the hell is Alaina?” he demanded. “First she leaves early, now she’s late.” The explanation Abigale and Evonne had given him the previous day had already primed him to see carelessness instead of a possible misunderstanding.

The two women performed concern beautifully. “Oh, I already called her,” one claimed. “She woke up late. She’ll be here soon.” The lie ensured Alaina would look irresponsible before she ever entered the room.

“Great. Today of all days.” Joey checked the time again, unable to conceal his panic. “Noah Preston is already outside.”

Abigale and Evonne smoothed their clothes and exchanged pleased looks. Their plan had worked even better than expected. Alaina was not merely absent; Joey believed she had ignored his instructions.

Outside, Noah approached with Aaron beside him. The modest office offered no obvious explanation for Triple AI’s interest, and Aaron still watched his boss for some sign of the real agenda.

Joey hurried forward the moment Noah entered. “Mr. Preston, welcome!” His enthusiasm bordered on reverence. One decision from this man could secure Crazy Maple’s future—or end it.

“Thank you for having me, Mr. Hemming.” Noah’s response was courteous, his expression unreadable. He had not come to be flattered. He had come to see whether a name discovered in company records belonged to the woman who haunted his past.

“Please, right this way.” Joey led him toward the meeting area while mentally rehearsing the pitch. Behind his smile, anger at Alaina continued to build.

Across town, Alaina hurried with the coffee and snacks she had been told to collect. She believed she was following instructions perfectly. Only when she checked her phone and saw the time did unease begin to stir.

“I specifically said to come in early today!” Joey’s furious message made her stop short. She read it twice, confusion giving way to sick realization. Abigale had specifically told her ten.

“Of course she would,” Alaina muttered. There was no time to confront anyone. She tightened her grip on the order and rushed toward the office, knowing excuses would sound weak after the meeting had already begun.

Inside the conference room, Joey attempted to redirect Noah’s attention to the studio’s strengths. “We are a small company,” he explained, “only twenty-five employees.” He spoke as if size meant agility rather than vulnerability.

Noah listened without revealing how much he already knew. Company reports had given him numbers, titles, and salaries. None of them could tell him what Alaina would look like after five years.

Joey gestured proudly to the women seated nearby. “These are our two senior writers. We have Abigale and Evonne.” Both greeted Noah with polished smiles, eager to hold his attention.

Noah’s gaze moved between them. Neither was the woman he remembered. The disappointment was immediate, followed by suspicion. “Only two senior writers?”

The question caught Joey unprepared. He had hoped to avoid emphasizing an absent employee, but Noah’s knowledge made that impossible. “No, there—well, we have a third.”

Noah waited, every sense suddenly alert. He had told himself this acquisition was an act of control, not longing. Still, hearing the confirmation tightened something in his chest.

“Alaina Campbell,” Joey said reluctantly. “She is—” Footsteps and a hurried voice cut through his explanation before he could finish.

“Hey, Joey, I’m sorry…” Alaina entered carrying coffee, then looked up. Five years vanished in a single breath as her eyes met Noah’s across the room—and the man who had sworn never to take her back finally stood face-to-face with the woman who had broken his heart.