CHAPTER ONE – THE BREAKUP

The Miami sun glinted off the red Ferrari's sleek curves as Scarlett weaved through morning traffic. Pushing back a strand of hair that had escaped her ponytail, she tapped the Bluetooth icon on her steering wheel. "Hey Clara, you almost here?" Scarlett asked, her voice bright. "Just pulling into the parking lot now," Clara's voice crackled through the speakers. "Ugh, traffic was brutal this morning." "Tell me about it," Scarlett chuckled, expertly maneuvering around a slow-moving van. "At least the weather's nice. Top down kind of day, wouldn't you say?" "Absolutely gorgeous," Clara agreed. "So, how's your morning going? Did you catch that new bakery down the street yet?" "Not a chance!" Scarlett laughed. "Between work and errands, it feels like there are never enough hours in the day." They chatted for a moment longer about their plans for the weekend, then there was a slight pause in the conversation. "So," Clara began hesitantly, "anything new with... you know..." Scarlett knew exactly who Clara was referring to. A small smile played on her lips. For five years, she'd managed to keep her relationship with Mr. Henry, the CEO, a secret from almost everyone, including her closest friends. "Not really," Scarlett replied casually, glancing briefly in the rearview mirror. "Things are good though. Busy as always, but good." "It's been five years, right?" Clara asked gently. "Remember your first day? You were so nervous, and then he called you into his office for no reason and everyone thought it was weird." Scarlett's smile widened. That memory was vivid. Her first day as a secretary at the Terracota Enterprises had been a whirlwind. Then, Mr. Henry had requested to see her in his office. He'd been charming, asking her questions about her background and her future goals, all the while putting her at ease with his relaxed demeanor. Looking back, it was clear he'd been smitten from the start. "Yeah," Scarlett admitted. "It was definitely...unexpected." "And then there were the late nights," Clara continued, a knowing tone in her voice. "You were always 'working late' to finish up reports." Scarlett chuckled. The late nights had started innocently enough. Mr. Henry, ever the perfectionist, would get bogged down in details, and Scarlett, eager to prove herself, would stay late to help him sort through them. Those late nights, however, had a tendency to turn into quiet conversations that stretched into the early hours, then stolen kisses in the deserted hallways. "We just get along really well, you know?" Scarlett said, more to herself than to Clara. "Look," Clara said, her voice warm. "I'm not saying you need to rush into anything. But you two have been together for a long time. Don't you ever wonder... what if?" Scarlett fell silent. What if? It was a question that hung heavy in the air, unspoken but ever-present. What if they went public with their relationship? What if Mr. Henry, decided it was a bad idea for the CEO to be dating his secretary? What if it all came crashing down, destroying not just their relationship, but her career as well? As Scarlett pulled into the familiar parking lot of Terracota Enterprises, she took a deep breath. Pushing those thoughts aside, she focused on the positive. She loved her job, she had a great friend in Clara, and deep down, there was a flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, things could change someday. Putting the car in park, she flashed a quick smile at the valet who greeted her. Walking towards the glass doors of the building, the Miami sun warm on her back, Scarlett felt a surge of determination. Whatever the future held, she was ready to face it, one step at a time. Scarlett pushed open the glass doors of Terracotta Enterprises, the cool air conditioning a welcome contrast to the hot weather outside. The lobby was a marvel of modern design, all sleek chrome and polished marble. A holographic receptionist greeted her with a polite smile, its blue light shimmering as it scanned her ID badge. "Good morning, Ms. O'Hara," the hologram chirped. "Morning, Alex," Scarlett replied, heading towards the elevator bank. Reaching her floor, Scarlett entered the open-plan office. Sunlight streamed through floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating rows of sleek workstations. Her office buddy, Sam, a cheerful young man with bright red glasses, looked up and waved. "Hey Scarlett, you made it! Did you see the new coffee machine in the break room? Makes the best lattes." "Lattes, huh? Maybe I'll have to check it out later," Scarlett said, already heading towards her desk. She dropped her bag off and switched on her computer, a flicker of unease settling in her stomach. Henry was never late. Picking up her phone, Scarlett dialed Henry's direct line. It rang once, twice, then went to voicemail. Her unease grew into full-blown worry. This was completely out of character for him. The rest of the morning crawled by. Emails sat unanswered, phone calls remained unreturned. The usual pre-lunch office buzz was replaced by a strange sense of anticipation. During her lunch break, her phone buzzed. It was a text message from Henry. Meet me at "La Cubanita" on Biscayne Bay. 1pm. - Henry Scarlett's heart leaped into her throat. La Cubanita was a small, romantic restaurant tucked away on the waterfront, a place they'd frequented during the early moments of their relationship. Henry calling her there? This had to be something big. A million thoughts raced through her mind. Was he finally going to tell the board about them? Had he gotten her a promotion? Or maybe, just maybe, as Clara had suggested earlier... A nervous flutter filled her stomach. Could Henry be about to propose? The idea sent a thrill through her, quickly followed by a wave of anxiety. Pushing those doubts aside, Scarlett grabbed her phone and dialed Clara's number. "Hey girl, you won't believe what just happened!" she exclaimed, her voice buzzing with excitement. "Hold on, hold on," Clara chuckled through the phone. "Spill it! What did Mr. Big do now?" Scarlett took a deep breath, trying to calm the butterflies erupting in her stomach. "He texted me to meet him at La Cubanita for lunch. Do you think...?" "Do I think what?" Clara prompted, her voice laced with anticipation. "Maybe... maybe he's going to propose?" Scarlett blurted out, a blush creeping up her cheeks. A squeal erupted from the other end of the line. "Oh my god, Scarlett! Are you serious? This is huge!" "I know, right?" Scarlett whispered, a giddy feeling bubbling up inside her. "He's never taken me there since... well, you know." "The early days," Clara finished the sentence knowingly. "This has to be a good sign!" Suddenly, a wave of doubt washed over Scarlett. "But what if I'm wrong? What if it's something else entirely?" "Listen," Clara said firmly, "even if it's not a proposal, it's still a big deal. He clearly wants to see you in a private setting, away from prying eyes. That's got to mean something." Taking a deep breath, Scarlett forced herself to focus on the positive. "You're right. Whatever it is, I'll face it head-on." "That's the Scarlett I know!" Clara declared. "Now go get your man, girl!" With a determined nod, Scarlett hung up the phone and raced back to her car. By the time she pulled into the parking lot at La Cubanita, her heart was pounding a frantic rhythm against her ribs. Taking a moment to compose herself, Scarlett straightened her dress and smoothed back her hair. With a deep breath, she grabbed her purse and stepped out into the sunshine.