Chapter 5 Could He Be

*Ten years later*

Sarah adjusted her cleaning uniform in the mirror of Sterling Enterprises' bathroom. At twenty-nine, she'd fought through a decade of hardship, working multiple jobs to provide for herself and her daughter, Emma. The talented nine-year-old was her reason for living and persevering through all challenges. Miss. Wright, the CEO's office needs attention," her supervisor called out.

Yes ma'am. She replied with her head bowed. Her hands trembled as she pushed her cart toward the top floor. Everyone knew of Lucas Sterling's ruthless behavior-Lucas Sterling, the thirty-five-year-old billionaire who'd built Sterling Enterprises into a global technology giant. She'd never seen him in person during her six months working here. The executive floor was usually cleaned after office hours by the assigned cleaners, guess it was her turn today.

In her six months of working here, she has never been assigned to clean the CEO's office, and she had never met him, considering her low status in the company as a cleaner, how could she have met the President in person? Perhaps the CEO is as ruthless as people say. Adjusting her uniform, she picked up her cleaning cart, and headed for the 5th floor, her heart racing slightly as she wondered what it would be like to clean the CEO's office, rumored to be a spacious, elegantly furnished sanctuary with a stunning view of the city skyline.

As she stepped out of the elevator, she was greeted by the soft hum of fluorescent lights and the faint scent of freshly brewed coffee. The 5th floor was noticeably quieter than the bustling lower floors, with only a handful of employees typing away on their computers or chatting in hushed tones. She made her way down the hallway, her cleaning cart rattling softly on the polished marble floor. The CEO's office was at the far end of the hall, marked by a sleek wooden door with a brass nameplate that read 'Lucas Sterling', Chief Executive Officer.

She took a deep breath, smoothed out her uniform, and pushed the cart up to the door. With a quiet knock, she announced her presence, waiting for a response before entering the CEO's office, but she got none.

She opened the giant wooden door, pushed her cart into the office, taking in the sleek, modern décor. The CEO's desk was a massive, polished wood affair, with a leathered executive chair tucked behind it. The room was spotless, but she knew her job was to make it sparkle.

She started by dusting the furniture and fixtures, her hands moving quickly and efficiently. As she worked, she observed the various awards and accolades on display, which were a testament to the CEO's success and reputation. Next, she proceeded to vacuum the floor, removing any dust or debris that may have accumulated. The carpet was plush and thick, and she ensured that she reached all the corners and crevices.

While she worked, she noticed several personal touches throughout the office. A framed photo of the CEO was positioned in one corner of the desk, and a small, elegant music box rested on a nearby shelf. It was evident that the CEO took pride in his office, and she was determined to honor that.

Once the main areas of the office were cleaned, she focused on the smaller details. She wiped down the door handles and light switches, ensuring that the trash cans were empty and spotless.

Finally, she took a step back to admire her work. The office sparkled and shone, with every surface clean and polished. She felt a sense of satisfaction and pride, knowing she had done her best to make the CEO's office a welcoming and impressive space.

As Sarah completed her cleaning, her gaze drifted back to the framed photo on the CEO's desk. It was a picture of the CEO, but something about it captured her attention. There was a familiarity to it, something that tugged at her memory. She frowned, struggling to recall where she had seen him before. Had they met previously? Perhaps they had passed each other in the hallway? No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't quite place him. She was certain she had never met the CEO before, but he looked oddly familiar.

As she continued to study the photo, something about the picture didn't seem right, or was it just her imagination?

The CEO's eyes, nose, and smile were strikingly familiar. Then it hit her-her daughter Emma looks exactly like the CEO. The resemblance was uncanny, and a shiver ran down Sarah's spine. It was a resemblance that went beyond mere coincidence.

Sarah's mind raced. She was frozen on a spot. Her imagination running wild, could it be what she was thinking? Hell no, that's impossible, the CEO could not be Emma's father, could he? Could he be the same man who had forcefully taken her pride ten years ago and left her with a broken heart? Sweat broke out on her body, the atmosphere became hot all of a sudden. Looking at the picture in front of her, she felt lost. Perhaps it was her imagination, she thought to herself.

As she stood there, frozen in thought, the sound of the elevator doors opening broke the silence. Sarah realized she had to get out of there quickly. She swiftly gathered her cleaning supplies and made a hasty exit, her mind racing with questions and doubts.