The meeting

AVA’S POV

I am seated in my office waiting for my secretary to usher in Derek, who is having a meeting with me in a few minutes. I don’t think he knows that I’m the person he’s meeting, but then, I don’t care if he knows or not.

My shock and surprise had known no bounds when I looked through my activity for the day and found out that I would be meeting with him.

So much for avoiding him at the airport five days ago. Apparently, fate is determined to throw us together against my wish.

A few moments later, he is ushered in by my secretary, who then closes the door and goes out, leaving the two of us alone.

“Good morning, ma’am.” He greets me, as politely as ever.

He has always been quite polite … but that privilege had been reserved for other women apart from me. He used to treat me with casual indifference … like he was being forced to acknowledge my existence.

He clearly doesn’t recognize me, which is not a surprise because of the time that has passed and because I now look very diffe