ECHOES OF THE PAST

Olivia Summers remained at the edge of the packed assembly hall, her emerald eyes examining the ocean of creator outfits and custom fitted suits. The yearly Westbrook Noble cause Occasion was going full bore, champagne woodwinds clunking and chuckling reverberating off the vaulted roofs. Yet, Olivia hadn't arrived for casual banter or champagne. She was hanging around for one explanation in particular: to defy the one who had broken her heart a decade prior.

The crowd fell into a hushed silence, as though summoned by her thoughts. Olivia's breath trapped in her throat as she saw him enter. Ethan Blackwood. Tycoon tech magnate, altruist, and the kid who had once guaranteed her the world.

He now appeared different. Gone was the thin youngster with chaotic hair and timid grins. In his place stood a man who talked about each step. His dull hair was impeccably styled, his jaw adequately sharp to trim glass. The custom tailored suit he wore most likely cost more than her whole closet.

Olivia's fingers fixed around her grasp as recollections overflowed back. Sneaked kisses behind the seats. Late-night concentrate on meetings that transformed into something else. The manner in which he'd taken a gander at her on prom night, similar to her, was his whole universe.

And afterward, the day everything came crashing down.

She constrained herself to turn away, just to get the attention of another recognizable face. Sophia Chen, her previous closest companion, was advancing towards Ethan. A similar Sophia who had been there to get the pieces when Ethan left. A similar Sophia who currently wore a precious stone ring that shone under the light fixtures - a wedding band from Ethan Blackwood himself.

Olivia felt a natural hurt in her chest. She shouldn't have come. What had she been thinking? That she could waltz maneuver into town following 10 years and request replies? that any change would occur?

"Liv? Is that you?"

The voice made her freeze. She turned slowly to face the source.

Jackson Hayes. Her secondary school sweetheart after Ethan. The protected decision. The person who had cherished her genuinely, in any event, when she couldn't completely adore him back.

She managed to force a smile, "Jack." It's been some time."

His blue eyes crinkled as he smiled, maneuvering her into a warm embrace. " Somewhere around nine years, eleven months, and fifteen days. In any case, who's counting?"

In spite of herself, Olivia giggled. The same Jack.

"What takes you back to Westbrook?" he asked, letting her out of the embrace yet keeping a hand on her arm. " Last I heard, you were vanquishing the design world in New York."

Before Olivia could reply, a disturbance close to the entry grabbed their eye. Now, Ethan Blackwood was tapping a microphone on stage.

"Lovely people," his voice blasted through the speakers, sending a compulsory shudder down Olivia's spine. " I appreciate everyone's presence tonight. As you most likely are aware, the Westbrook Establishment has forever been committed to rewarding this local area. Yet, this evening, I have a declaration that will take our main goal to a worldwide scale."

Olivia ended up drawing nearer to the stage, attracted by the attraction of Ethan's presence.

"We are sending off another drive," Ethan proceeded, his eyes clearing the group. " A program that will give state of the art innovation and training to oppressed networks all over the planet. Additionally, I am contributing one billion dollars from my personal wealth to the cause of launching this initiative."

Heaves and acclaim occupied the room. Olivia's psyche dashed. One billion bucks? What game was Ethan playing?

"Yet, that is not all," Ethan's voice slices through the commotion. " To guarantee the progress of this program, we want the best personalities in the business. Which is the reason I'm excited to declare our new Head of Worldwide Drives."

Olivia's chest tightened. She knew, with a sureness that unnerved her, what was coming straight away.

"If it's not too much trouble, go along with me in inviting back to Westbrook," Ethan's eyes locked onto hers, a test in their profundities, "Ms. Olivia Summers."

There were muddled murmurs and scattered applause as the room erupted. Her thoughts were racing as Olivia remained fixed to the spot. She hadn't gone after any job. She hadn't even addressed Ethan in 10 years. What in blazes was going on?

As though in a fantasy, she ended up moving towards the stage. Ethan stretched out a hand to help her up, his touch sending power through her veins.

"Welcome home, Liv," he murmured, for her ears as it were. " We have a great deal to examine."

Furthermore, very much like that, Olivia realized her painstakingly built life was going to collapse. Since notwithstanding everything, in spite of the aggravation and the long stretches of quietness, one investigate Ethan Blackwood's eyes told her that the fire between them had never really gone out.

The only thing it had been waiting for was the right time to explode.