The CEO's Obsession: Seducing His Childhood Sweatheart

Emma Winters gazed around the not-so-very-new apartment she would be staying in now, feeling a surge of excitement and dread. "This is it," she thought, determined to make the most of her fresh start even though deep within her was a pain she carried along. Thinking about how sadly she had been leaving Florittle, Emma decided to go for a drink even though she needed to unpack. Unpacking could wait - she had bigger things on her mind, and after a challenging move from Florittle to Zeden, she needed a break.

Without hesitation, she hurried to the bathroom for a quick refresh, then swiftly dressed and made a beeline for the bar. As Emma sat in the cab, the driver taking her to the address she had given him, and a sigh escaped her lips as a wave of nostalgia hit her. It had been eight years since she last set foot in the city of Zeden, and if it hadn't been for the job offer she got, she probably wouldn't have returned. And if it weren't for her heartbreak, she also probably wouldn't have applied for the job or wanted a fresh start in the very city she had grown up in with a lot of crazy moments. Thinking about that, her mind flashed to her once best friend. Was it her crush? She mused, a smile tugging her lips. Before she could dwell on that any further, her phone buzzed in her purse, jolting her out of her reverie. She took out her phone, and when she glanced at the screen, she saw that it was Ivy, her best friend since college. A faint smile tugged at her lips. Without wasting any time, she answered. "Hey, girl. What's up? Did you get there safely? You didn't call!" Ivy's voice chirped through the phone, and Emma smiled when she imagined the pout that would very much be on Ivy's face. "I'm sorry I didn't call. It totally slipped my mind," she said, and Ivy frowned. "What? Don't I matter anymore? And I was worried sick thinking something had happened," Ivy said, and Emma laughed. "Don't be silly, Ivy. I got in a little while ago. It's not even up to three hours," Emma replied, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear while looking out the window. Ivy opened her mouth to complain, but the faint noise in the background caught her attention. "Wait... are you going out? It sounds noisy," she asked curiously, and Emma smiled. Knowing Ivy and how protective she was, especially since she was worried about her, Emma hesitated for a second, thinking whether or not to tell Ivy she was going to a bar. On second thought, she grinned, deciding to tell her. "Well, if you must know, I'm heading to the bar....." "WHAT! On your first day back in Zeden?" Ivy exclaimed, and Emma laughed. "Don't worry, Ivy. I'll be fine. After everything that's been going on lately and me being back in Zeden after so long, I figured I'd grab a drink, unwind a bit....." "But....." "I understand your concern, but don't worry. I'll be fine," Emma said, and Ivy sighed in resignation. "What about work? Aren't you supposed to be home gathering all you can about your boss?" Ivy asked, and Emma chuckled. "Didn't we try to do that already? There's no news of him on the internet. No nothing, so how am I supposed to know about him?" Emma asked, and Ivy shrugged even though Emma couldn't see her. "Well, since you're going out, you could just try to ask around," Ivy said, and Emma nodded, seeing reasons with her. "Good point. So, am I free to go now?" she asked, and Ivy grinned when a thought crossed her mind. "So, which of the bar or club are you going?" she asked teasingly, and Emma, knowing what she meant, couldn't help the smile that graced her face. "02 Arena....." "I knew it!" she exclaimed, and Emma giggled. "Knew what exactly?" Emma asked with a knowing smile. "You know exactly what I'm talking about, girl. You're not actually going there to UNWIND, as you say, but you're going there to see if you'll run into him, isn't it?" Ivy asked, and Emma laughed softly. It was true. When she had returned to Zeden, a part of her was hoping she would somehow run into him even though she had no idea where he was now. "What's wrong with hoping to run into him while I'm unwinding? It's been ages, and I sincerely want to see him again if there's a chance," she said, not wanting to mention names since she was in a cab. Ivy sighed. "I hope you do know he won't be the same best friend you used to know. It's been eight years already, bestie," Ivy said reasonably, and Emma shrugged. "I'll think about that when I finally see him. Besides, even if he's changed, what harm could it do to me?" Emma asked with a shrug despite the fact that Ivy couldn't see her. Ivy chuckled, though her voice had a slight edge of concern. "Just be careful, okay? We don't want a repeat of you unknowingly attending your boyfriend's wedding." Hearing that, Emma's heart clenched briefly, the memory of that painful day flashing before her. She took a deep breath to keep herself from thinking deeply about that painful memory. "I really don't want to talk about him, Ivy. But," she sighed, "I do hope he gets what he deserves." There was a pause, and then Ivy's gentle voice followed. "You'll be fine. You deserve so much better." "Thanks, Ivy." Emma smiled, appreciating her friend's support. "I'll call you tomorrow." "No, call me tonight when you get home," Ivy said, and Emma chuckled before ending the call. Just as her call ended, the car came to a stop in front of the bar, and Emma stepped out after paying her bills. As she entered, the familiar scent of alcohol and faint chatter greeted her. She hadn't been here in years, not since-the last time she and Chris visited there, a day before he left to study abroad. As she looked around, a rush of memories flooded her mind as she thought about what she had wanted to do that night. Although she had loved him deeply then, she had been too scared to tell him about her feelings because she didn't want to risk their friendship. What if she had? she wondered. Would things have turned out differently? What would've become of her? Lost in thought, Emma barely noticed the crowd around her until a deep voice interrupted her reverie. "Emma?" the male voice called, uncertainty laced in his voice. Her heart jumped in her chest the moment she had him. She turned around, curious, hoping her mind wasn't playing tricks on her. Her eyes widened in surprise and shock when they locked onto a familiar face. Christoper Jacobs.