Chapter 6 - The Corner Office
The corner office was vast, bathed in the gray light of the Seattle skyline.
A long, dark oak conference table stretched across the room. Sitting along one side were three senior board members in dark suits, holding leather tabletors and reviewing files.
At the far end of the room, standing by the massive glass window with her back to the door, stood the Managing Principal and CEO of the development division.
She wore a tailored navy wool suit that fit her flawlessly. Her dark gold hair was pinned up in a sleek, elegant twist. In her left hand, she held a warm ceramic mug of coffee, watching the cargo ships cut through the grey waters of the sound below.
Mark stepped forward, cleared his throat, and adopted his most confident executive tone.
“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen,” Mark announced, taking a step toward the center of the room. “I’m Mark Peterson. It’s an absolute pleasure to be here today.”
The three board members looked up, offering polite nods.
The woman by the window didn't move immediately. She took a slow sip of her coffee.
“Mr. Peterson,” she said softly. Her voice was smooth, low, and completely devoid of hesitation.
Mark froze. Something in the pitch of that voice triggered a strange, cold spike of recognition at the base of his brain.
Slowly, the woman turned around.
The ambient light caught the sharp, elegant angles of her face, the quiet brilliance in her clear eyes, and the absolute, unshakeable authority in her posture.
Mark’s breath caught in his throat. His knees felt suddenly watery.
It was Anna.
Not the tired, quiet woman who organized cupboards and grew herbs in a damp kitchen. Not the wife who wore five-year-old sweaters and begged him not to buy expensive cars.
This woman radiated absolute power, immense wealth, and flawless grace.
“Anna?” Mark gasped, the word leaking out of him like air from a punctured tire. He took a step backward, nearly tripping over the edge of the plush carpet. “Anna... what... what are you doing here?”
One of the board members—an elderly man with sharp spectacles—frowned. “Mr. Peterson, you are addressing Ms. Anna Peterson, the Founder and Managing Partner of this firm, as well as the Chief Executive Officer of Aura’s regional development division.”
Mark’s brain stalled. The world seemed to tilt on its axis.
“Founder?” Mark stammered, staring at her in sheer horror. “You... you own this?”
Anna set her coffee mug down on the walnut desk with a soft, deliberate clink.
She looked at him. Not with anger. Not with hatred.
May you like
With the cool, detached curiosity of a person looking at a strange bug on a sidewalk.
“Hello, Mark,” she said softly. “It’s been a long time.”
