Chapter 2 A desperate search

"The CEO will be supervising a demolition tomorrow at Florence Planetarium. Address: [XXX]. Be there by 9 AM."

Katherine read the message again, her grip on the phone tightening. She was not supposed to be here. The signboard at the entrance of the planetarium loomed above Katherine, bringing with it a flood of memories she had spent years trying to bury.

A memory of starry-eyed dreams, whispered promises, and a man she had vowed never to see again. Her fingers trembled as she shoved her phone into her bag and curled them tightly around the strap, as if holding on to something solid could steady the storm raging inside her.

"This isn't about him," she reminded herself.

"This is about saving the museum." Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the line at the entrance.

The security checked through everyone thoroughly, and she soon noticed that those who came with the hope to meet the elusive CEO were turned away.

"Just who exactly is this man and how powerful is he?" She thought to herself.

Even after hours of endless searching the previous day, she and Tiffany had found nothing substantial about him-not a single verified image, no interviews, no personal details. Even the wealthiest elites had articles written about them, scandals and rumors following their every move.

But him? It was as if he had erased himself from the world entirely. Katherine knew secrecy was common among the powerful, her own father had shielded their family's affairs when he was alive, but this was something else.

"And who are you?" a sharp voice cut through her thoughts. She met the cold assessing gaze the uniformed guard, his presence imposing and his voice suspicious.

Katherine swallowed and forced a steady breath, pulling out the ID card she had hidden in her pocket.

"I'm with the welfare team," she said evenly. The man took the card, his gaze fl8ckering from the card to her face.

Katherine fought to keep a calm expression, though her pulse pounded in her ears. Tiffany's hacker assured that the card was undetectable, but still....

"You look familiar," he muttered, his eyes flashing in recognition.

"Where have I seen you before?" Her heart stilled.

"Wait a minute... aren't you that-" "No," she cut in quickly, forcing a casual laugh.

"People say I look like her all the time. Must be a coincidence." She held his gaze, willing him to believe her.

Her fingers curled at her sides. A tense silence stretched between them before he finally shrugged.

"Hmph. Maybe." Katherine exhaled quietly as he handed the ID back, relief flooding her as the gates swung open.

"You're clear. Go in." Without another word, she walked through the gate, adjusting her mask higher over her face.

Each step heavier than the last and her chest burned as she recalled the life she lived ten years ago as the daughter of a billionaire. The lavish life, extravagance and dazzle was on display for the world to see, whilst underneath her father had been drowning in debt, desperately trying to maintain an illusion of wealth. If only she knew what it'd cost at the end.

"Not here, not now." She muttered to herself, attaching the card to her blouse.

Katherine moved into the space and saw that Florence Planetarium still stood tall, but the years of neglect were obvious-cracks in the walls, vines creeping over the stone, faded plaques that once bore names of donors and scientists. Amidst it all, it remained breathtaking. Her gaze drifted toward the tall machinery on the other side of the site.

A massive crane stood with a wrecking ball attached, like a silent executioner waiting for its command. Something about the sight made her stomach twist uncomfortably. Deep down within her, she felt that more than this building will be destroyed today.

"And why are you standing there like an idiot? Get to the tent!" A sharp voice came besides her, and she turned to see a short woman staring her down with a stern expression.

Her badge read "Welfare head."

"Sorry ma'am," Katherine apologized, lowering her head slightly. "I couldn't locate the place." She apologized, walking past her to the place she pointed out.

The woman scoffed but motioned at a white large tent nearby which Katherine hurried to immediately. Inside, workers bustled about, setting up trays of finger foods, sandwiches, tea, and coffee. Katherine quickly fell into step with them, doing her best to blend in. As she worked, she listened.

"Such a shame," one of the younger workers sighed as he stacked the plates.

"I came here as a kid once on, took a field trip with my school." Katherine bit her lip, the memory of her own special visit flooding her memory washing over her.

"You better keep it in your memories," an older worker sighed.

"Because once Mr. D sets his sight on a place, it's gone." Katherine stiffened, her ears perking up at the name.

"Mr. D? His nickname is still secret?" She thought to herself, fumbling with the trays. "And the owners can't convince him to stop?"

She asked casually, earning chuckles from the group of people around her.

"That's assuming you can meet him. Mr D rarely comes to these things, he just signs the papers and assigns a team to do the job. Then it's on to the next project."

Katherine felt sick in her stomach as she realized that the museum will be the 'next project'.

"He is coming today though," one of the workers added.

"The owners of this planetarium have forced their way in since yesterday and are refusing to leave" Katherine's gaze shot towards the entrance and she saw an elderly man and woman sitting on the ground.

Their hands were clasped together tightly, their faces aged worn with grief. The security personnel along with some staff hovered over them, talking to them but they didn't move. Katherine clenched her fists.

"And when is the CEO arriving?" She questioned further, earning curious looks from the group.

The middle aged worker eyed her with suspicion.

"And why do you care so much, Ava?" She asked.

Katherine hesitated for a bit, before remembering her tag bore a different name.

She forced a neutral expression. "I just think if he's going to do this, he should have the decency to tell them to their faces."

The woman hummed in amusement. "Bold of you. But don't hold your breath. The CEO doesn't do confrontations."

"Are you paid to chit chat? Go on, serve the trays to the staff!" The welfare head came in barking loudly, and they scrambled to leave the tent to serve the trays.

Minutes turned to hours and Katherine kept glancing at the entrance, yet there was no sign of the CEO. By noon the air was thick with anticipation as the wrecking crew began setting up and with a loud roar the crane came to life. Katherine's stomach churned at the sound of the rumbling engine, and she stood up to leave the tent. She needed to meet the CEO, if she missed this chance the museum would have no chance of survival.

Her breath grew shallow and her vision became blurry as she stumbled to the nearest hallway.

"What if I never meet him?"

A sharp pain bloomed in her temples. The sound of the wrecking ball swinging into place made her heart hammer against her ribs. The voices of the elderly owners pleading desperately, rang in her ears. She pressed her hands over them, trying to drown out the noise.

"Think, Katherine. Think!"

The pressure in her head grew unbearable. Katherine felt her knees go weak. Her knees buckled as she began falling, but she crashed into a solid warmth. The scent of cedarwood wrapped around her, warm and familiar sending shivers down her spine. A scent she hadn't breathed in years. Her breath hitched as she gripped his sleeve in a desperate attempt to ground herself, but her consciousness slipped.

As the world faded, her last thought was a panicked realization- She knew exactly who he was, then one final thought surfaced.

"Fate is cruel."