Fern's Perspective
"Diana, good morning." A clear greeting interrupted my thoughts. I turned to see the manager who had called my name and tried to offer a natural smile. She was my immediate supervisor, Marianne, and while she had a kind face, it was clear that she was not someone to be easily overlooked.
"Good morning, Marianne," I replied with a smile, doing my best to keep my voice steady.
I then turned and walked into the office. Before me was a modern work environment: spacious desks, rows of computer screens, and neat shelves filled with files. It was all unfamiliar yet oddly familiar at the same time.
"Diana, Mr. Giovanni wants to see you." Marianne spoke softly, handing me a business card.
Giovanni's office... I had entered it countless times six years ago. Standing in the doorway now, my heart began to race. Without hesitation, I reached for the doorknob and pushed open the heavy door.
Inside the office, Giovanni sat behind his desk, his posture upright, his deep eyes fixed on the window. He wore a tailored suit—simple, sharp, and exuding an authoritative aura that was impossible to ignore. His presence was just as familiar as ever, as if time had not changed him in the slightest.
My heart skipped a beat, but I quickly composed myself, pushing down the nerves and complex emotions that threatened to surface.
"Diana, come in." He turned toward me, his voice low and gentle, with an undeniable authority.
I took a deep breath and walked into his office. Each step felt like I was moving through a dream, and every detail was sharply vivid. The look in his eyes, despite my best efforts to hide my past with him, still struck me as deeply familiar. I focused on staying composed, determined to avoid any emotional missteps.
"Hello, Mr. Giovanni. I'm Diana, and I just started today. I look forward to working with you." I tried to keep my voice calm as I stood before his desk and extended my hand.
Giovanni's gaze shifted to my outstretched hand, but he didn't rush to take it. His eyes lingered for a moment, as if studying me. There was a faint look of confusion in his eyes, as though something about me felt inexplicably familiar—something he didn't want to confront.
"You seem very capable, Diana. I believe you will make a great contribution to the company." His voice was emotionless—calm and objective—but those deep eyes seemed to suggest he was lost in thought.
I forced myself not to meet his gaze and lowered my head to organize my papers, flashing a forced smile.
"Thank you, Mr. Giovanni. I'll do my best."
I walked past him, trying to avoid making too much contact. Every time our eyes met, it felt like I was being drawn into a vortex I couldn't escape from. I had to stay calm. I had to suppress the emotions welling up inside me and keep them from showing.
"Diana, hold on a second." Giovanni's voice suddenly broke into my thoughts.
I turned around and met his deep gaze, my heart tightening once more.
"How did you get in here?" Giovanni's question made my heart skip a beat.
I thought he was asking about my interview, but when I saw the disbelief in his eyes, I realized he wasn't asking about my job. He was probing for something else. His gaze was fixed on me, as if he were searching for something he'd forgotten.
"I—" My heart began to race. I opened my mouth, unsure of how to respond. Six years had passed, and I had learned how to bury my emotions and hide my past, but Giovanni still seemed able to read me.
"It's because I see a resemblance between you and her." Giovanni's words sent a shock through me. His voice was calm, but I could feel the weight of emotion behind them.
"You and Fern…" He paused, as if at a loss for words.
I could almost hear my heart pounding. Fern—the name had been absent from my life for so long, but the sound of Giovanni's voice brought it all rushing back, like some mysterious force I couldn't escape.
I forced a smile, trying to hide my panic. "I'm not like Fern, Mr. Giovanni."
His eyes sharpened suddenly, as if he were trying to peel away the truth behind my words. But I knew I couldn't let him uncover more. No matter what, I couldn't let him uncover the secret that had once been ours.
"Yes?" He asked softly, still not fully convinced. But instead of pushing further, he lowered his gaze and began checking the papers in his hands.
I let out a sigh of relief, feeling that I was out of danger—for the time being.
"Well, Diana, if you need anything at all, don't hesitate to let me know. We have a very welcoming atmosphere at the company, and I'm sure you'll adapt quickly." Giovanni's tone had returned to its usual calm, but I could still sense that his concern for me hadn't faded.
I nodded and turned to leave his office. With each step, I felt myself sinking deeper into this game. No matter what, I had to stay composed and not let the emotions of the past take control again. I was no longer the woman who had once loved Giovanni; I was Diana, an ordinary clerk. This identity was one I had to hold on to.
Yet, for some reason, there was still an unspoken pain deep in my heart, as if that buried past was quietly resurfacing.