She Took a Temporary Job Abroad, Not Knowing Her New Boss Was the Millionaire Who Broke Her Heart
A New Beginning and a Ghost from the Past
The moment Belle Taylor stepped off the plane in Barcelona, a gust of Mediterranean wind whipped her chestnut hair across her face as if warning her that this new chapter might just blow her carefully constructed life apart.
She had taken the six-month position as an executive assistant at Vantage Architectural Solutions on a whim, or perhaps out of desperation, never imagining that running away to Spain would lead her right back to the man who had shattered her heart three years ago.
“Welcome to Barcelona,” the driver said, taking her luggage and opening the car door.
The company had arranged transportation from the airport to her temporary apartment, a gesture that impressed her. Vantage was known for their innovative designs and impeccable treatment of employees, which was partly why Belle had jumped at the opportunity.
“Thank you,” she replied, sliding into the backseat of the sleek black car.
As they drove through the vibrant streets, Belle tried to focus on the stunning architecture rather than the anxiety bubbling in her stomach. The job was perfect: a significant pay increase, international experience, and, most importantly, distance from her suffocating life in Chicago.
In Chicago, memories of failed relationships and career disappointments had begun to close in on her. Her phone buzzed with a message from her best friend, Mia.
“Landed safely? Apartment decent? Any hot Spanish architects yet?”
Belle smiled, typing back.
“Just in the car. Will update on all fronts later.”
The driver pulled up to a modern apartment building in the Eixample district.
“Miss Taylor, your apartment is on the fifth floor. The keys are with the concierge, and you’re expected at Vantage headquarters tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.”
After collecting her keys and dragging her suitcases upstairs, Belle stood in the center of her new home. It was a stylishly furnished one-bedroom with a small balcony overlooking a tree-lined street.
It was more luxurious than she had expected for temporary corporate housing. She unpacked quickly, her mind on the following day.
The position was assisting the CEO directly, a rare opportunity she couldn’t pass up despite knowing very little about who exactly she would be working for.
The hiring manager had been vague, mentioning only that the CEO was a private person who preferred to meet new staff personally.
After a restless night of jet lag and nerves, Belle woke early and dressed carefully in a tailored navy dress that projected confidence she didn’t entirely feel.
The Vantage headquarters was a stunning glass building near Plaza de Cataluña. Its exterior was a testament to the firm’s cutting-edge aesthetic.
At the reception desk, a friendly woman named Alina greeted her.
“Miss Taylor, welcome to Vantage. I’ll show you to your office, and then Mr. Reynolds will see you.”
The name hit Belle like a physical blow. Reynolds. It couldn’t be. Spain was full of expats; surely there were other American executives named Reynolds.
As Alina led her through the open workspace toward a glass-walled office adjacent to a larger corner suite, Belle’s heartbeat accelerated.
She caught glimpses of the photos on the walls: awards ceremonies, building inaugurations, profiles in architectural magazines. And there he was in several of them.
Katon Reynolds was the man who had once promised her the world, only to disappear without explanation three years ago.
“Here’s your workspace,” Alina said, gesturing to a sleek desk. “Mr. Reynolds is finishing a call, but he asked to see you as soon as you arrived.”
Belle’s mind raced. Should she leave immediately? Pretend illness?
Before she could formulate an escape plan, the door to the corner office opened, and there he stood.
Katon Reynolds looked even better than she remembered. His dark hair was now accented with touches of silver at the temples. His tall frame was still athletic beneath a perfectly tailored charcoal suit.
His blue eyes widened in shock when they landed on her.
“Belle?”
His voice was exactly as she remembered: deep and slightly raspy.
“Mr. Reynolds,” she replied coldly, summoning every ounce of professional composure. “I wasn’t aware you were the CEO of Vantage.”
