Recall

PROLOGUE

LUCA AVILA – a name I’ll never forget. It’s been 5 years since he disappeared without a goodbye or reason. What we shared isn’t something you can just brush off, which is why I still haven’t been able to move on until now.

I’m holding his profile right now, but I don’t know if he’s really the one I’ve been searching for all this time.

I heard the door open, so I turned around – Dad was coming in, his forehead furrowed like he was confused why I was in his office. It looked like he’d just been in an argument and lost.

I set the paper I was holding on his desk and walked over to him.

“Dad, you look like you just went to a cockfight again,” I said with a laugh. He just frowned, sat down in his swivel chair, and massaged his forehead.

“Why are you here?” he asked.

“I’m bored,” I simply replied. I picked up the paper from the table and showed it to him.

“Dad, he’s one of your employees, right?” I asked. He took the paper from me.

“Yes, he’s one of the company’s top performers. Why?”

“Can you introduce me to him?”

He looked at me suspiciously. Before he could speak, I quickly defended myself.

“His name just feels familiar, Dad – I won’t do anything crazy. He might be one of my old friends from the Philippines, so don’t be extra.”

“Introduce me, Dad,” I added quickly.

He just shuffled the papers in front of him.

“I’m busy. Just go find him yourself – Finance Department, third floor, second room,” he said, pointing while keeping his eyes on the papers in his hand.

“Thanks, Dad.”

I walked out of his office and headed straight for the elevator. As it went up, I pulled out my compact to check if I still looked presentable.

But why am I even doing this? He’s the one who ghosted me – I don’t care if I look a mess in front of him; I might even scold him.

I rolled my eyes and put the compact back in my bag. When the elevator dinged, I got ready to step out. The moment the doors opened, time seemed to stop – “I fought for you,” yeah right, he didn’t even fight for us and then ghosted me.

Right in front of me was the guy who ghosted me 5 years ago. I froze where I stood as he walked inside. I didn’t know if I should be angry or happy that he was standing next to me.

I stood there nervously beside him.

“Are you getting off, miss?” Luca asked in a deep voice beside me. It seemed like he didn’t recognize me at all.