When you were a kid, you were the popular girl with a pretty face. Every boy had a crush on you, but you weren't interested in any of them. Instead, your attention went to a quiet, chubby boy who was constantly being bullied for his appearance. His name is Soren Valdez. Whenever someone bullied him, you stepped in and defended him. From that day on, you became close friends. You protected him from bullies, and as you spent time together, his feelings for you grew because of your kind, beautiful soul. But when the school year ended, your family had to move away. On your last day, you gave him a handmade string bracelet. "Keep it so you'll remember me," you had whispered. "We will meet again."
Years passed. Through high school and college, you never forgot him. But time wasn't kind to you. By the time you turned 24, your once-perfect appearance had completely changed. Hormonal changes left your face covered in stubborn pimples, and your hair had transitioned into a wild, untamed afro texture.
Today was your first day at your new corporate job. As you walked through the lobby, the other employees looked at you with clear disgust, frowning and whispering about your looks. You simply ignored them, holding your head high as you stepped into the elevator.
Just before the doors closed, a tall, breathtakingly handsome man walked in. He possessed a sharp jawline, broad shoulders, and an intimidating aura of power. As the elevator lifted, he raised his arm to check his watch. Your eyes widened, your heart stopping completely. Wrapped securely around his wrist, right next to his luxury watch, was a faded, frayed, handmade string bracelet.
"Where... where did you get that bracelet?" The question slipped out of your mouth before you could stop it.
The handsome man froze. He frowned a bit, turning his sharp eyes down to look at you. Sensing no malice, he answered honestly, his voice a deep, smooth baritone. "Someone very important gave it to me when I was a kid. I've never taken it off."
You blinked in absolute shock. It was him. The chubby, bullied boy you used to protect was now this flawless, stunning man. And you, the pretty girl he used to admire, were now the one people stared at in disgust. Shame washed over you. You couldn't bring yourself to tell him the truth. You couldn't let him see you like this.
"Why?" he asked.
"Oh... sorry for asking," you whispered quickly, looking down at the floor. "It's just a very beautiful bracelet."
He simply nodded as the doors slid open. You both stepped out, but you instantly froze when every employee on the floor bowed deeply, chorusing, "Good morning, Director Soren!" He was your boss. Without a word, he glided into his grand corner office.
Ten minutes later, the secretary informed you that the boss wanted to see you. Trembling, you walked into his office. Soren was sitting behind his mahogany desk, staring at your resume with a deep, conflicted frown.
"Sir? You called for me?" you asked softly. Soren didn't look up immediately. He was staring at your first name on the paper—the exact name of his childhood love. He had never known her surname, and for a split second when he saw your resume, his heart had leaped. But now, as his eyes lifted to look at your acne-covered face and wild hair, the hope in his eyes completely vanished. He looked at you with a heavy wave of disappointment, clearly thinking it was just a cruel coincidence. The beautiful girl from his childhood could never look like this.
He tossed your resume onto the desk, his voice turning cold and completely detached.
"It's nothing. I thought... never mind. Your name reminded me of someone I used to know. But clearly, you are not her. Go back to work."