“This is Maya Fisher,” I say evenly. “She’s filling in for my assistant, who’s on medical leave. We’re meeting a client.”
From the corner of my eye, I catch Maya hesitating, momentarily frozen in place.
“Maya,” I add, firmer now, “this is my father-in-law, Phillip Sterling.”
She extends her hand, her smile polite but strained, her complexion just a shade too pale.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Sterling.”
“Just Phillip,” he replies warmly, giving her hand a brief tap before releasing it.
Perfect timing.
I spot the client and his two companions entering the restaurant. I lift a hand in greeting, then turn back to Phillip.
“My clients just arrived. I’m afraid I can’t stay and chat, I shouldn’t keep them waiting.”
“Of course, of course,” Phillip says easily, then turns to Maya. “It was a pleasure, Mariah. Take good care of my son-in-law—and don’t let him bury himself in work. He’s a workaholic, this one.”
He chuckles, adding that we should arrange something soon, it’s been far too long.
As he walks away, I hear Maya murmur under her breath, barely audible, “It’s Maya. Not Mariah.”
“Are you okay?” I ask.
She still wears the same unsettled expression. She blinks twice before looking at me. “Yes… I just—” She pauses, glancing around. “I need to freshen up. Is it okay if I meet you at the table?”
“Of course.”
I watch her walk away, frowning slightly, her reaction lingering in my mind. Is it because she knows Phillip is Cecily’s father, or is she simply not feeling well?
Either way, it doesn’t matter.
I head toward the clients, and moments later, we’re shown to our table.
Maya
He doesn't remember me.
He looked right into my eyes, and there was nothing. Not even my name sparked a flicker of recognition.
I’m staring at myself in the bathroom mirror now, tilting my head, searching my face from every angle to understand how this is possible. It’s as if he completely erased me… scrubbed me from his mind as if I never existed.How simple it must be for him.
I need to pull myself together before I go back out there to Colin.
Colin. I just hope he didn’t pay too much attention to my reaction. I can’t afford for him to see the cracks.
I touch up my makeup, masking the shock, and head back to the table. I apologize to the group for the delay and take my seat at Colin’s left. I bury myself in the work, focusing entirely on their conversation and taking the necessary notes, letting the professional routine shield me from the sting of being forgotten.
The following section includes a brief instance of mild on-page cheating. It is part of the story’s journey, but this moment may be difficult for some readers. Please feel free to skip it if it feels overwhelming.
"Are you sure you don't want to come up? Not even for a little while?"
Colin is driving me back to my apartment. I don’t always drive myself to work. Sometimes I leave my car behind, hoping he’ll offer me a ride, just so I can try to make him stay. Today is one of those days. I heard him on the phone yesterday, arranging dinner at his in-laws’ place for tonight.
"I can't," he says, eyes on the road. "If you're home tomorrow, I'll try to stop by after I go over some contracts."
“You know my Saturdays are all yours,” I say, letting a knowing smile play on my lips.
