Chapter 1 THE RETURN

She was suddenly woken up by the overhead speakers announcing that the airplane was landing shortly.

Feeling disoriented as to why she was on a plane, she sat up slowly and put on her seat belt. And then it all came rushing back to her so fast, she was coming to sign a deal with her high school ex-boyfriend although she had no idea they were signing the deal with each other. After Emily had her heart broken by Adam, she left Portland for Chicago and vowed never to return again but here she was going to sign a deal with Adams's company. As the plane descended toward the airport, Emily's heartbeat quickened with anticipation. The pending contract signing was not merely a business deal-it symbolized the culmination of years of hard work and dedication, a validation of her team's efforts, and the potential for exponential growth.

*Emily's arrival in Portland*

The sleek metal of the airplane's fuselage hummed softly as it cut through the clouds, carrying Emily, her team, and a plethora of mixed emotions toward their destination-the state that held remnants of her cherished memories and the upcoming business deal that could redefine their company's trajectory. The airplane touched down at Portland International Airport, welcomed by the serene scenery that characterized the Pacific Northwest. As Emily and her team disembarked, the crisp Oregon air greeted them, tinged with the familiar scent of pine and the promise of impending rain.

Stepping onto the tarmac, Emily's gaze swept across the horizon, taking in the sprawling cityscape framed by distant mountains. The nostalgia of being back in her childhood state stirred a medley of emotions within her-a blend of fond reminiscence and the apprehension of the looming encounter with Adam.

Guiding her team through the airport, Emily maintained her composed demeanor, leading them to the waiting transport that would ferry them to the location for the contract signing. Inside the vehicle, the hum of excited chatter among her team contrasted with the quiet turmoil within Emily's mind.

Portland, a city that once witnessed their youthful dreams and shared laughter, now served as the backdrop for a crucial business deal and an unexpected reunion.

As they traversed the familiar streets, passing landmarks that held memories from her past, Emily couldn't help but steal glances out of the window. The streets, the parks, the coffee shops-they all whispered stories of a time when life was simpler, yet fraught with the complexities of young love and untamed ambitions.

The vehicle neared the destination, the venue for the contract signing-a place that signified not only a professional milestone but also the crossroads where her past and present would converge.

Emily's heartbeat quickened, a mixture of excitement and trepidation gripping her. The reunion with Adam in the city that had once been witness to their shared history loomed ahead, an uncharted territory that held the potential to rewrite their story.

Surrounded by her team members, Emily appeared composed, engaging in strategic discussions and last-minute preparations for the contract signing. The excitement and nervous energy among her colleagues were palpable as they reviewed presentations and fine-tuned their approach, aiming to secure the deal that could catapult their company to new heights.

Despite the professional facade she wore, Emily's mind wandered. The familiar landscape outside the plane's window triggered memories long tucked away. The childhood state, with its winding country roads and nostalgic landmarks, stirred a blend of emotions-nostalgia intertwined with the weight of unfinished business from her past.

Her thoughts involuntarily drifted to Adam, whose presence at the conference meant a potential collision of their past and present. She glanced at her team, a group of dedicated individuals who trusted her leadership, hoping to inspire the same confidence she projected onto them.

Yet, alongside the professional anticipation, a knot of apprehension settled in Emily's stomach. The state that held fragments of her past also beckoned the ghosts of a relationship left unresolved. How would their journey back to this place impact the unexpected reunion with Adam, and would it reignite dormant feelings or bury them once and for all?

The early morning sunlight filtered through the tall glass windows of the sleek corporate office, casting a warm glow on the polished mahogany desk. Adam, in his early thirties, leaned back in his leather chair, poring over financial reports with a focused intensity that had become second nature to him.

As the CEO of a burgeoning tech company, his days were a meticulous dance between innovation, strategic planning, and managing a team that looked up to him for guidance. With a keen eye for detail and a shrewd business acumen, Adam had built his company from the ground up, earning respect and accolades in his industry.

Meanwhile, across town, Emily, in her late twenties, navigated her bustling office with an air of quiet determination. As the founder of a successful marketing firm, her days were a whirlwind of creative brainstorming sessions, client meetings, and ensuring her team delivered beyond expectations. Her journey in the business world had been one of resilience, learning, and the unshakable belief in her own capabilities.

Their lives had taken divergent paths after their tumultuous breakup in their younger years. Fate had separated them, allowing time and distance to shape them into the accomplished individuals they were today.

Little did they know, their carefully constructed worlds were about to collide in a way neither had anticipated.

The upcoming industry conference promised to be a pivotal event, drawing the brightest minds and most influential players in the business arena. Both Adam and Emily were slated to attend, unaware that their companies were on the brink of signing a lucrative deal that would intertwine their professional lives once more.

As the conference loomed on the horizon, neither could shake the feeling that something unexpected was about to disrupt their meticulously planned lives.

*Adam's Arrival in Portland*

The airplane's wheels gently touched down on the tarmac of Portland International Airport, marking Adam's arrival in a city he once called home-a place where memories of his youth intermingled with the anticipation of a critical business deal.

As he disembarked alongside his trusted advisors, the familiar Oregon air, thick with the scent of damp earth and the promise of rain, enveloped him. Despite the significance of the impending contract signing, his thoughts involuntarily strayed to the unexpected encounter awaiting him.

Leading his team through the bustling airport, Adam's gaze wandered, silently taking in the familiar sights. Portland, with its eclectic blend of nature and urban charm, held echoes of his past-a past entwined with a young love that had ebbed and flowed like the Willamette River cutting through the heart of the city.

Boarding the awaiting transport, Adam maintained a poised demeanor, directing his team toward the destination-a venue that held not only the promise of a lucrative deal but also the potential rekindling of emotions long kept at bay.

As they traversed the streets of Portland, memories flickered in Adam's mind. The streets they once roamed hand in hand, the cafes where conversations lingered, and the parks where promises were made-the city was a silent witness to their youthful aspirations and fervent dreams.

Approaching the venue, a mix of emotions churned within Adam. The prospect of encountering Emily in a place steeped in their shared history stirred feelings he had buried beneath layers of professional success. The anticipation of their reunion, after years of separation and personal growth, hung palpably in the air.