Alex’s Perspective 1
The Childhood Connection
I had carried her in my heart for twenty years.
That fiery little girl who accidentally hit me with a pebble when trying to protect Jake Fraser. The scar on my forehead remained my most treasured mark–a permanent reminder of the day I first met Autumn Wilson.
Even at seven years old, I knew she was special. While other kids avoided the awkward new boy, she approached me with guilt–ridden eyes and handmade apology cards.
“You have to play with me now,” she’d declared, hands on her hips, after her mother forced her to apologize. “It’s only fair.”
And so began the first genuine friendship of my childhood.
When my family moved away, I wrote her letters for years. She wrote back at first, her childish handwriting full of stories about Jake. Eventually, the letters stopped coming, but I never forgot her.
The Street Incident
When I returned to the States after building my tech empire abroad, I wasn’t looking for love. I was exhausted, standing at a street corner waiting for the light to change, when I heard a voice that made me turn.
“Let her go. Now.”
A man was intimidating a crying woman while bystanders just watched. Everyone except one woman–tiny compared to the man, but standing with her phone raised like a weapon.
“What kind of man hits a woman in public? Let her go or I’m calling the cops.”
I recognized her instantly. Autumn Wilson. Two decades older but with the same fierce spirit.
The man turned on her with rage, taking a threatening step forward. I moved without thinking, positioning myself between them.
“I believe the lady asked you to step back,” I said, my voice low and dangerous.
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The situation escalated quickly. He swung at me, and I dodged–thank god for those boxing classes. One well–placed counter–punch later, and he was backing away. By the time the police arrived, Autumn had disappeared.
I searched the crowd for her, but she was gone. The woman he’d been threatening told me Autumn had slipped away as soon as the police arrived, saying something about “not wanting to get involved.”
I spent months looking for her. The tech CEO in me approached it like a project-
social media searches, mutual connections, even hiring a private investigator who
discovered she was still close with Jake Fraser.
Of course she was. The universe had a cruel sense of humor.
The Orchestrated Reunion
When I learned Jake had a girlfriend–not Autumn–I saw my opportunity. I arranged what would appear to be a coincidental meeting at one of his business
events.
“Alex Knight?” Jake looked surprised when I approached him. “Man, it’s been
forever!”
We caught up over drinks, carefully dancing around our childhood rivalry. I mentioned seeing Autumn on the street, and his expression changed, becoming
guarded.
“You remember Autumn Wilson?”
“How could I forget?” I pointed to my scar. “We were pretty close for a while back
then.”
Jake’s eyes narrowed. “Yeah, I remember now.” He swirled his whiskey. “She’s still around. Single. Trying to be a writer or something.” The dismissive tone made my jaw clench.
“You should join me and my girlfriend Olivia for dinner sometime,” Jake offered.
“I’ll invite Autumn too.”
I kept my expression neutral. “Sounds great.”
