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It’s how I initially learnt what being a boss entailed. So I know every member of staff that steps foot in the house…or I thought I did.

“Nobody to concern yourself with. Now go,” he snaps, dismissing me like I’m just another lackey.

The problem with training me to take over from him is that he’s teaching me to be just like him. Just as stubborn and bullheaded. So he shouldn’t be at all surprised when I stand my ground, refusing to be dismissed.

“Father, as I’m sure you will remember, you handed the staffing responsibility over to me some years ago now. So, if we have a new member of staff, thatismy business, and I should be involved in the conversation,” I grind out through gritted teeth, holding his gaze as he glares at me.

A flash of what looks to be pride sparkles in his eyes before his lips drop into a frown. “Trust me when I say it’s in your best interest to do as I tell you.”

The threat ripples through the air, and suddenly, I’m a teenager all over again, terrified of being told off by my father. The thought of disappointing him creates a hole in the pit of mystomach, but I push it away. I know better than to look weak in front of him, so I hold my head high.

“I am simply doing the job you have been training me to do, Father,” I reply, keeping all emotion from my voice.

He looks at his watch, his face pulling into a grimace before his gaze flicks between me and the door. He’s obviously realised that I’ve delayed things enough that I will have to be part of the meeting now, and he’s not pleased.

A soft knock on the door has him shaking his head. Instead of calling for the person to enter, he begins walking toward the door. He stops just next to me, mumbling in a low voice I can only hear now that he’s standing beside me. “Remember that I tried to get you to leave, so you wouldn’t be a part of this.”

Before I get the chance to ask him what the hell he’s talking about, he pulls the door wide open. In that one move, my whole world comes crashing down around me. Apparently, he opened up the door to the past, and standing before me is the ghost of the only girl I’ve ever loved.

Teigan Murphy—the one that got away.

It’s been over seven years since I last saw her, and my heart aches just as much now as it did then. Although she’s no longer the eighteen-year-old she was when I last saw her, I can still see bits of the girl I loved.

Her long, dark brown hair cascades down her back, just as straight as always, although now it’s a little longer than she used to wear it. Her body has developed more curves, so her shapely tits and hips make her waist look much smaller.

She’s got a perfect hourglass figure, that’s accentuated further by the tight white shirt she’s wearing, and the black pencil skirt that stops far too high up her thighs for my liking.

Her creamy white skin is on display, showing off her long, luscious legs that seem to go on for miles, thanks to the high heels she’s wearing. This might be one of the first times I’ve everseen her in heels. Teigan has always been taller than most girls at five-foot-eight, and she used to hate the idea of wearing heels, in case they made her taller than the boys in the room.

Not that I cared. Compared to my six-foot-two, she will always be small. Though I have to admit, the way the high heels make her ass curve makes me want to see her in them more. I have to bite my lip to keep myself from groaning at how fucking gorgeous she still looks.

I’m frozen to the spot, wondering what the hell she’s doing here. Her eyes are downcast, fixed on the floor, and her shoulders are drooped in a submissive way I’m not used to seeing on Teigan—outside of the bedroom, that is.

I want her to lift her head, to meet my gaze, so I can ask her what the hell is going on. Nothing makes sense right now, and I feel like my eyes are bulging out of my head as my brain tries to catch up with whatever the hell is happening right now.

“You wanted to see me, Sir?” Teigan asks quietly, her voice sounding so soft, yet it’s like a dagger to my heart.

She sounds like the girl I used to know, and she looks like her, but there’s something missing. It’s like the girl in front of me is the shell of her, and everything that made her Teigan has gone.

The edge, the fire…it’s all missing, and I can’t help but wonder if it was because of me. Did I extinguish her flame?

“Yes, Teigan. Thank you for coming so quickly. I just wanted to make sure you know your role for this evening. I know it’s your first formal event here with us, and I want to make sure you are familiar with all the rules?” Father asks with a small smile, like I’m not even in the fucking room.

I shake my head, thinking maybe my brain will play catch up and fill in the blanks. But right now, I’m really fucking lost.

“Yes, I got the information pack. I’m aware of my role,” she replies politely, her voice devoid of any emotions.

I stare at Teigan, hoping she can feel the heat from my gaze, and it will be enough for her to drag her eyes off the floor. If I thought losing her hurt, it’s got nothing compared to being in the same room as her when she’s pretending I don’t even exist. I never thought there’d ever be a day that I’d be invisible to her. Not when she’s my whole fucking world…or she used to be.

“Good. You know who to report to if you have any issues or questions?” Father replies, and she nods in response.

“I do.”

“Good, then that will be all.” His tone is dismissive, like nothing further needs to be said, and she turns to leave. I’m still frozen, looking at the scene with my mouth open, like I’ve no idea what the fuck is going on.

“Don’t you dare leave,” I snap, forcing Teigan to freeze, her back to me as she faces the door. I turn to my father. “What the hell is going on?”

My eyes are wide, and given the way he’s looking at me, I’m sure my anger is barely concealed. I roll my hands into fists as I grit my teeth, waiting for one of them to speak.