Till Forever Begins (Till Forever #1)

1. CHAPTER 1

ARIA

“ M iss…? Miss…?” The taxi driver interrupted my thoughts. “Are you getting out?”

My hand was refusing to open the door. Was it trembling slightly, or was my mind playing tricks on me?

Truthfully, I didn’t want to. I just wanted to run home and hide from the world. Instead, I took a deep, shuddering breath, fumbling with the handle as I willed my body to work again. I reluctantly stepped out, and the taxi’s engine thrummed as it drove off—my one remaining safety net gone.

I looked down, straightening my pencil skirt and brushing off my blouse. People rushed past in all directions, busy on their phones as they swerved around each other.

I could feel my knees about to give out, so, I forced my legs to take me to the entrance of the tall, sleek building before me.

I walked through the lobby, my heels echoing off the white marble floor; every step reminded me I was free, that the tight grip that once held me no longer controlled my life.

This was where I would start being me again.

I reached the desk, and the receptionist glanced up politely. “Welcome to Luxe Corp. How may I help you today?”

I wondered how many times a day she had to say that.

“Hi, I’m Aria Summers. It’s my first day,” I said, trying not to sound as anxious as I felt.

“Ah, yes; the new admin,” she said warmly.

I gave her an awkward smile. I guessed it was her job to know who was coming and going.

“This way,” she said as she stepped out from behind the desk, her smile never leaving her face.

I followed her to the lift like a lost puppy, never looking back but nervously looking around, subtle tones of vanilla surrounding me.

It was everything you’d expect from a high-end Canary Wharf office.

The hallway seemed to go on forever, with a few matte black door-frames set along the ivory coloured walls decorated with monochrome photography showing off the landmarks of London.

The thirty-eighth floor was a complete contrast to the quiet space downstairs. The office buzzed with conversation, keyboards tapping in sync with one another. No one lingered, not a minute wasted. It was the type of place where every second cost money, and they all seemed to know it.

As I hurried to keep up with the receptionist, I could feel eyes burning into me.

She pointed as we walked. “There's a break room down there where you can get coffee, and the bathrooms are further down the hall.”

Eventually, she pushed her way through a door to a small room.

In the office beyond, a man was visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows, his back to me.

He must have been the CEO. My new boss. I’d never met him at my interview; it had been with the HR manager.

I guessed people like him didn’t need to worry about people like me.

His arms were gesturing, suggesting he was talking on the phone, his broad shoulders stretching with each hand movement.

“This is Mr Knight’s office—our CEO. Sometimes you’ll have to take work to him,” explained the receptionist.

Mr Knight? My heart jumped into my throat.

No, it couldn’t be.

She started walking back through into the main office, and I hurried to keep up.

We stopped at a small desk near the back. It was modern and white, the stationery neatly arranged around it—a contrast to my life, which seemed to be an utter mess right now.

“This is your desk.” I nervously glanced down, tugging at my sleeves.

“There are details of how to log in to the laptop. Once on, it will prompt you to complete your recruitment documents for HR. If you have any issues, they will be able to help you.” She smiled again and left.

Nervously looking around at everyone, who no longer seemed at all interested that I was there, I sat down, turned the laptop on, and followed the instructions.

It hadn’t taken long to complete and submit the HR forms, and now I was treating myself to a well-deserved coffee in the break room.

The machine finished making my cappuccino, and I grabbed the cup, placed a lid on it, and turned around—straight into someone.

He grabbed my arms to steady me, and I froze at the familiar scent of citrus and spice, a scent I hadn't encountered since—

“Aria?” he whispered.

I didn’t want to look up, but my eyes had other ideas.

That perfectly sculpted jawline showed his rugged side, a shadow of stubble defining its shape. Tattoos were trying to escape the collar of his shirt. I took a step back, releasing my grip on his toned arms. I knew this face too well. Knew the crystal-blue eyes that stared straight into my soul.

Sebastian Knight.

Of all people, it had to be him.

I’d escaped one past, only to be slammed back into another.

“What are you doing here?” he asked.

“I … I work here,” I replied hesitantly.

His eyes widened briefly, a flicker of surprise passing through his gaze.

“Small world, little sis,” he said as he leaned casually against the wall.

“Don’t call me that.”

We were never related. Our parents met one summer and tied the knot, some whirlwind romance that turned into a nightmare. For the two years they were together, all they did was argue.

“Still as sassy as ever.” He chuckled.

“What are you doing here?” I questioned.

“I’m the CEO.”

My eyes widened. “What?”

Sebastian was my … boss? My cheeks burned. Could he tell how flustered I was? I touched them to check, but they were ice cold—probably from shock.

“I’ve got work I need to do,” I said abruptly.

He put his hand out, gesturing that I could go.

I swallowed hard.

The last time I’d seen Sebastian was the night he’d left me standing in the kitchen, four years ago.