IN THE HANDS OF TIME

Rachel Sawyer was perched with her legs crossed on the Anderson mansion's library soft carpet. With her was 'The Secret Garden.' She took advantage of the collection of books in the mansion while her mother tutored the family's son.

A shadow fell over her page and she looked up, annoyed.

"Do you mind telling me what you're reading?" asked the boy with a head of curly brown hair of which green eyes peeked out curiously, standing right above her.

"Don't you need to be in your study room?" Rachel asked, clutching the book to her chest.

Kohen shook his head, "Nicole allowed me to spend some time off, so she can take a break." He always referred to Rachel's mother by her first name. "What are you reading?" He repeated the question.

"Nothing of your interest" Rachel answered unbothered.

"How can you be so sure of what might attract my attention?" He sat down next to her without waiting for an invitation. "You don't even know me."

"I know that you are overindulged," Rachel snapped back as she moved away. "And that you made Mrs. Peterson quit last month by putting frogs in her purse."

A grin spread on his face showing the dimple on his left cheek. "They were toads." In an effort to hold back, Rachel could feel the corners of her mouth pulling back into a smirk. "That makes it worse." "I'm bored," Kohen said, lounging on his back. Rachel chose to ignore him and his idle chatter, focusing back on her book.

After a stretch of silence, Kohen sighed "You're really no fun".

Rachel squinted. "I am plenty fun. I simply think putting amphibians in people's possessions does not merit as entertainment."

"Prove it," he said, leaning closer. "Prove that you are fun."

That challenge made Rachel feel something she couldn't explain. A certain kind of determination. But it was a challenge that needed to be undertaken. She kept her book open and pushed it aside.

"All right. Let's go."

Twenty minutes later, the two of them found themselves dangling from the limbs of the huge oak tree that graced the Andersons' backyard, their laughter on the summer breeze.

"I told you that I could climb higher!" Rachel shouted down at Kohen who was struggling several feet below her.

"That is because you weigh nothing," he puffed, trying to hoist himself up another branch. "I bet in a strong wind you would float away!"

Rachel gave a roll of her eyes. "Excuses"

As Kohen reached for the next branch, he made a slip with his foot. His very breathable moment of hanging from the limbs of the tree with his legs in the air seemed like an endless one.

"Kohen!" Rachel shouted after him. Her voice was taut with worry.

He grunted and swung his legs to reclaim a steady position on the branch and grinned at his victory. But his delighted smile vanished through the grimace Rachel exhibited.

"Did you actually care about me, Sawyer?" he beckoned playfully, a fusion of sarcasm and adoration present by calling her surname in a peculiar manner.

"No," she said and frowned; her heart still racing. "I just didn't feel like explaining how you broke your neck trying to show off to your parents."

His grin returned. "I wasn't showing off."

"God you're always showing off." She replied while beginning her careful descent. "And it is so annoying."

Once safely back on the ground, Kohen playfully nudged her shoulder. "So same time tomorrow?"

Rachel tried to maintain her serious expression but wasn't able to. "Maybe. If you can try to keep up."

"Oh, I can keep up," he replied confidently and smiling the whole time. "In fact, I bet at the end of summer, we'll be best friends"

Rachel rolled her eyes "I already have a best friend."

There was a brief pause. "You don't." Kohen responded with the casual confidence of someone stating that the sky was blue. "You read books instead of making friends. But that is fine, now you have me."

"I never agreed to that. I don't become friends with individuals who don't respect my books," Rachel objected, though there was no opposition in her tone.

Kohen shrugged. "You didn't have to. I decided for us. And my parents believe fiction is a waste of time."

Rachel's eyes widened, visibly scandalised. "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard!"

Kohen looked shocked for a moment before he was swept with laughter.

As she made her way to the house, Rachel battled a smile.

"For a person who's homeschooled, you're not very smart," she said reflectively.

Kohen's jaw fell open in mock offense. "Take that back!"

"Oh, catch me," Rachel teased, then took off for the house, laughing as she went.

Kohen ran after her, his longer legs easily covering the distance. "Just wait, Sawyer! This is war!"

It was six months since Rachel and Kohen had first met. In spite of their opposite views of the world, the two were fast becoming friends, a relationship that would shape their destiny for better and worse.

But for now, they were merely Rachel and Kohen-the pampered son of the more affluent class Andersons and his tutor's daughter.

Fifteen Years Later

"Mr. Russell wants you in his office, Rachel" Trina, a work colleague, informed.

Rachel had been gazing at quarterly projections for Atlas Investment Group's most valued clients for hours on her computer screen when she looked up. Though the figures had been running together in front of her eyes for hours, she had finally been able to find the pattern that had escaped her all morning.

"Did he say what it's about?" Rachel inquired, already closing her file and straightening her pencil skirt.

Trina shook her head, "Only that it's urgent"

Tucking a piece of black hair behind her ear, Rachel nodded. Having worked at Atlas for five years, she understood that when James Russell said "urgent," he meant drop everything.

As she crossed the office floor, Rachel could sense several eyes tracking her progress. She had learned to cope with the stares. Some admiring, some envious. At twenty-four, she was the youngest senior financial analyst in company history, a position she had earned through diligence and innate talent.

What they did not witness were the nights, the Saturdays forfeited, the juggling act that is being a single-parent climbing the rungs of a corporate ladder not intended for the one doing the parenting.

Rachel knocked on her supervisor's solid oak office door.

"Come in," a gruff voice answered.

James Russell sat behind his massive desk, his salt-and-pepper hair perfectly groomed as always. Beside him stood a woman Rachel recognized as the head of HR, her face carefully expressionless.

"Rachel, sit down," James motioned to the chair in front of him.

A knot formed in Rachel's stomach. Two executives, closed doors, solemn expressions. At most corporations, this was the prelude to a termination. But she knew her performance had been perfect. Something else was at play.

"I'll get straight to the point," James said, folding his hands. "Atlas is merging with KAL Apex Financials."

Rachel's eyes widened. KAL Apex was a financial powerhouse, headquartered in her hometown, which she had left years ago with no plans to ever go back.

"This is.. unexpected," she managed.

"The talks have been taking place for months," James continued. "We've managed to keep it quiet until all the terms were agreed on. The release goes out this afternoon."

Rachel nodded, her analytical brain already calculating what this implied for her role, for the corporate hierarchy, for her team.

"What does this mean to us?" she asked.

James reclined in his chair. "For the majority of the staff, not much difference in the foreseeable future. But for you.?" He hesitated, looking at her face. "We need someone to manage the integration of our systems and procedures at their head office."

"Their headquarters," Rachel repeated, slowing, her heart beginning to pound. "You mean in Aspen?"

"Quite," James agreed. "You're from there yourself, aren't you?"

"I am," she admitted, her voice intentionally even. "But I haven't been in years."

James nodded thoughtfully. "That's half the reason why you're perfect for this. You know the city, and more importantly, you know our systems better than anyone else. The transition will be smoother with you at the helm."

The HR director finally said, "It would be a promotion, Rachel. You would be our interface with their executive team, and you would report directly to their CEO."

"How long would I be there?" Rachel inquired, her thoughts scrambling to Darian, her son, who had just adjusted to his school, made friends who embraced his introverted nature, and found a manageable routine.

"Six months, minimum," James replied. "Possibly up to a year."

A year. In the city she had escaped. Back where memories hung around every corner.

"I'd have to consider my son," Rachel replied cautiously. "This would involve uprooting him."

James nodded sympathetically. He was among the handful of individuals at Atlas who were aware of Darian. As Stephanie's uncle, he'd been the one who got Rachel her first break.

"Surely," he replied. "But I must inform you, Rachel, this is not a request. The merger is going ahead, and we require our top players in the field. Your career at Atlas has been on the up from day one. This is the next step logically."

Rachel understood the translation. Either accept it or find work elsewhere.

"When would I need to begin?" Rachel asked, already calculating logistics in her mind.

"Two weeks," James answered. "We'll pay all moving expenses, naturally. And there's a substantial salary boost to make up for the inconvenience."

He pushed a folder across the table. Rachel opened it and almost gasped at the number on the first page.

"That's.. generous," she said, keeping her cool in spite of the fact that the sum would alleviate so many of her money worries, like Darian's therapy costs that her insurance only partly reimbursed.

"We value you, Rachel," James said to her straightforwardly. "And we need you for this."

Rachel shut the folder, her mind made up in spite of the upheaval in her heart. She had obligations to her son, to herself. Ancient history could not influence career choices.

"I'll need to know about schools in the area," she said. "And I'd like to fly out this weekend to look at other accommodation options before proceeding with the relocation."

James smiled with relief. "Of course. All the arrangements would be made by my assistant. And to help you settle into your new position, Liam Carson would be sent over from time to time for routine checks. I know the two of you get along"

Rachel nodded sympathetically. At least there would be a familiar face. As Rachel rose to depart, James added, "There is something else. I have three rules for this assignment." He raised a finger. "One: maintain total discretion regarding our internal arrangements until the integration has been attained."

Rachel nodded.

"Two: report any resistance or hindrance directly to me, not via their chain of command."

Another nod.

"And three," James gave her a warning glance, "no office romance. This merger is complicated enough as it stands without personal lives getting in the way."

Rachel almost laughed at that. Office romance was the furthest thing from her mind. "That won't be a problem."

At her desk, Rachel stared at her computer screen without seeing it. Aspen. After all these years. The town was filled with memories. Her mother's grave, her childhood home, and.. him.

But that was ridiculous. Aspen was a big city. The chances of running into Kohen Anderson were slim, and even if she did, they were different people now. Adults with their own lives.

Her phone vibrated with a text message from Stephanie:

'Uncle J just informed me. You alright with this?'

Rachel's response was immediate: 'Do I have an option?'

The reply came instantly: 'You always have choices. Just not always good ones.'

Rachel couldn't help but smile. Typical Stephanie, cutting to the chase.

As she set about tallying up in her mind everything she needed to do prior to the move, Rachel could not help but feel she was getting herself into something more than a career move. There was a disquieting sensation that settled over her, a sense that the world was building a stage and she'd just accepted by error, a starring role.

What she didn't know, couldn't know.. was just how accurate that intuition would turn out to be.

As the elevator rose to the executive floor of KAL Apex Financials, Rachel straightened her blazer for the third time. Two weeks had gone by in a blur of flat hunting, school transfers and packing. She felt the weight of her new reality now, standing in the sleek lift of the gleaming skyscraper that dominated the financial district of Aspen. She had spent yesterday getting Darian settled in their makeshift residence. As he explored the new area, the seven-year-old had been quiet.. quieter than normal. She had assured him, "It's just for a little while," and her heart ached at his solemn nod.

Darian's therapist had warned her that he was not a good adapter. However, some adjustments were inevitable.

As soon as the elevator chimed, Rachel snapped out of her reverie. The doors opened to reveal an impressive reception area. Everything is chrome, glass, and subtle luxury. Behind the front desk, a modern KAL Apex Financials logo was displayed on the wall. The receptionist was a polished woman with a well-practiced smile who asked, "May I help you?"

"Rachel Sawyer. I represent Atlas Investment Group as the liaison for the merger integration.

The woman's eyes glowed with recognition."You've been anticipated, Ms. Sawyer. I'll inform Mr. Anderson's assistant of your presence".

Mr. Anderson.

Rachel felt her heart falter. It must be a coincidence. Anderson was a popular last name. It isn't possible-

"Mr. Anderson is wrapping up a phone conversation" The woman said completely oblivious to Rachel's sudden pallor. She went on, "His assistant, Greta, will be out shortly to escort you to the conference room where the executive team is gathering."

After giving a robotic nod, Rachel went to sit in the waiting room. Her thoughts were racing. How likely was it that the Anderson from her past would be running KAL, a company she had spent the last two weeks researching in great detail without ever making the connection? However, she had purposefully refrained from searching for the company's executives. She had only paid attention to their corporate structure, market position, and financial performance. Personal information hadn't seemed important.

She wished now fervently that she had been more thorough.

A woman in her middle years, dressed in a fitted suit, came over. "Ms. Sawyer? I'm Greta Winters, the executive assistant to Mr. Anderson. Follow me, please."

Rachel struggled to slow her pounding heart as they passed a row of glass-walled offices. It might not have been him. She reminded herself that Anderson was a common name. Greta said in a conversational tone, "The executive team is excited to meet you. Mr. Anderson in particular. He was very clear that he wanted to supervise your onboarding in person."

Rachel felt a knot in her stomach. "Is that so?"

"Yes. He hardly ever shows this much interest in new hires, even those from acquired businesses." Greta stopped in front of a pair of doors. "We're here."

Rachel took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and went into the conference room with Greta. The man at the head of the long table caught Rachel's attention right away, even though there were six people seated around it.

Kohen Anderson. Time had been on his side. The boyish features she recalled had grown into sharp features. His hair was still the rich brown she had once run her fingers through, but it was shorter and more expertly styled. Across the polished surface of the table, his eyes, those green ones that had once gazed at her with such warmth, met hers with a cool, evaluating look. The air was charged with an electricity that made breathing difficult, and the room briefly appeared to freeze.

Kohen then grinned. It was the same dimpled smile that, for quite different reasons, had made her heart race before.

His voice was deeper than she recalled, but it had the same cadence that haunted her dreams when he said, "Ms. Sawyer. KAL Apex welcomes you. We're delighted to have you join us." His tone was perfectly professional, betraying nothing of their shared history. If it weren't for the intensity of his gaze, she might have believed he didn't recognize her.

"Thank you," Rachel replied, grateful that her voice remained steady. "I'm looking forward to facilitating a smooth integration between our companies."

Kohen gestured to an empty chair, directly to his right. "Please come sit. We were just talking about the merger's timeline.

As introductions were made around the table, Rachel took a seat, keenly aware of Kohen's closeness. Knowing that she would need to try later to link faces with titles correctly, she took a mechanical note of each name. The man next to her was taking up too much of her thoughts at the moment, and the subtle aroma of his cologne brought back memories she had assumed were safely hidden. As the meeting went on, topics like departmental integrations, logistics, and anticipated timelines were covered. Rachel used her in-depth understanding of Atlas's systems and culture to contribute where it was appropriate. But while she appeared to be the competent professional she had put so much effort into becoming, she was in turmoil within.

"Ms. Sawyer will be our primary point of contact throughout this transition." Kohen informed his team. "In order to make communication easier, she will have an office next to mine."

Rachel's head jerked up. "Next to yours?"

Something unreadable flickered in Kohen's eyes as he met her gaze. "Is that an issue?"

Five sets of inquisitive eyes looked at her, anticipating her answer. Rachel swallowed forcefully. "Not at all," she stated with ease. "For coordination purposes, it makes perfect sense."

"Excellent," Kohen said with a tone that only she would recognize, a hint of satisfaction. "Now, please pardon us, but I would like to speak with Ms. Sawyer privately to go over her specific role in greater detail."

Rachel found herself alone with the one person she had hoped to never see again as the others filed out. Kohen's businesslike demeanor changed slightly as soon as the door shut. Her skin pricked as he studied her intently, leaning against the conference table with his arms folded.

"Rachel Sawyer," he drawled as if he were tasting her name. "They send you to my company. Out of all the financial analysts in the world." Notable amusement threaded his tone.

"I didn't know," Rachel said right away. "I was unaware that KAL Apex was your business."

"KAL," Kohen said again. "Kohen Anderson Luke. You failed to see the connection?"

Rachel's cheeks became hot. "I was more concerned with the finances than the ownership."

Kohen's laugh lacked humor. "Always so pragmatic. At least nothing's changed."

Finding her footing, Rachel retorted, "Many things changed. A lot of time has passed."

"Eight years," Kohen said without hesitation. "Eight years, three months and about seventeen days. Who is counting, though?"

Shortly after, a returning board member interrupted them to retrieve a forgotten personal item. "Sorry," the woman apologised and then hurried off.

Rachel was stunned at how exact his response was. Before she could reply, he pushed away from the table and leaned closer, their faces merely inches apart.

"What do you think you're doing?!" Rachel asked the moment the door closed behind them, her vision glazed with controlled fury.

The corner of his mouth tilted to a smile, unfazed by her outburst. "Getting you back."

Rachel stopped, the straightforward comment striking her like a physical blow. She said, pointing between them, "I'm not here for.. whatever this is. I'm here to do a job."

Kohen agreed, his tone shockingly reasonable. "Of course," he said. So am I. My responsibility is to see this merger through to success. And yours are meant to support me in doing that."

He strode to the door and opened it with great flourish. "Greta is going to show you your workplace. At two, we meet with the IT department to go over system compatibility."

Rachel stood and used hands not quite steady to smooth her skirt. She passed him in the doorway, and he slanted slightly. "Welcome home, Raye," he murmured, only he had such effects of turning her nickname sensuous.

Whether from fear or something else completely, the familiar address caused a shudder down her spine and James Russell's third rule, no office fraternization, had clearly become infinitely more difficult.