Chapter Twenty Five
Stanley.
d last spoken to five years ago, the
The man who had been Daniel’s best friend. The man she night
before she left without a word.
Tasha’s heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, she froze, her gaze locking with Stanley’s as he casually entered the room, his presence effortlessly commanding attention. He looked just the same. same air of confidence.
that
Robbin, standing by the back of the room, immediately picked up on Tasha’s sudden hesitation. He discreetly edged closer, ready to step in if needed, but Tasha took a breath, steeling herself. She had to keep going. This was too important to let the past derail her.
Stanley found a seat midway through the room, his eyes never leaving her. The last conversation they’d had echoed in Tasha’s mind, his worried voice asking her what was wrong, his confusion when she’d avoided telling him the truth about Daniel, and the guilt she carried for leaving behind without explanation.
But now, in the middle of this important presentation, was not the time to dwell on the past. She had to focus. She pushed those thoughts down and continued speaking, laying out the innovative plans for the future.
“As I mentioned, this strategy isn’t just about immediate gains,” Tasha said, her voice regaining its steadiness. “It’s about long–term, sustainable growth that will benefit all of our stakeholders.”
Claire, seated in the front row, gave her a subtle thumbs–up. The presentation was going well. But Tasha’s mind kept drifting back to Stanley. What was he doing here? Why now?
Just as she was about to close the presentation, Venessa Steele stood up from the back, her expression unreadable as she called out, “I have a question.”
The entire room fell silent, all eyes turning toward Venessa. She was poised, as always, but Tasha could see the faintest hint of smugness in her gaze. It was clear that Venessa wasn’t asking for the sake of the project. She was here to challenge her.
“Go ahead,” Tasha said, keeping her voice calm despite the unease bubbling inside her.
Venessa tilted her head slightly, as if pondering her words before speaking. “I’m curious about the budget for these grand plans of yours. Given the current economic climate, are you sure these projections are realistic?”
Tasha met her gaze head–on. “We’ve done extensive analyses and are confident that our approach is not only feasible but forward–thinking. We’re building for the future, not just the present.”
Venessa’s lips curved into a thin smile, but she said nothing more. Tasha continued, wrapping up her presentation, and the room erupted into applause. Relief washed over her, but it was short–lived. She couldn’t shake the feeling that things were far from over.
As the attendees began to leave, Robbin moved to her side, his eyes flicking toward Stanley. “You okay?” he asked, his voice low.
“Yes, of course,” she lied with a tight smile, her heart pounding as Stanley started walking toward them. Her mind raced, trying to steady her emotions. “Excuse me,” she said to Robbin, who gave her a curious
1/2
glance but didn’t press further. She couldn’t handle explaining everything.
Stanley reached her within seconds, his eyes locking onto hers, a mixture of familiarity. “Tasha,” he said, his voice quiet but firm. “It’s been a long time.”
She nodded, her mouth dry. “Stanley,” she responded, trying to keep her composure. The flood of memories hit her hard, five years of silence, five years of guilt, and the look on his face when she left without a word. She’d abandoned more than just her life back then, she had left behind a friend who had deserved an explanation, and she had never given it.
Stanley’s gaze flickered with something unreadable before he continued, his tone surprisingly calm, “I didn’t expect to see you here, but… I guess life has its surprises.”
Tasha forced a smile, though her stomach churned with unease. “Yeah, it does.”
She wasn’t sure what to say. There was so much left unsaid between them, yet the moment felt too delicate to dive into it. Not here, not now, with Robbin just a few steps away and the weight of the past pressing down on her shoulders.
Stanley tilted his head slightly, observing her closely. “I wanted to talk to you,” he said. “I didn’t think I’d get the chance again.”
Tasha’s pulse quickened, and she glanced at Robbin, who was trying to give her space but was clearly watching from a distance. She knew she couldn’t hide from this conversation forever, but facing Stanley now felt like reopening an old wound she wasn’t ready to address. 1
“–” she began, but her voice faltered. What could she say? That she regretted leaving without saying goodbye? That she had lied to him, to herself, about Daniel? That the guilt of her past decisions still weighed heavily on her?
Stanley sighed softly, as if reading her hesitation. “We don’t have to talk now. But… I think we should. There’s a lot we never got to clear up.”
Tasha nodded, swallowing hard. “I know.”
Stanley’s expression softened for a moment, but the tension between them remained. “I’ll be around,” he said quietly. “Whenever you’re ready.”
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away, leaving Tasha standing there, torn between relief and dread. She let out a shaky breath, feeling Robbin’s presence beside her before he spoke.
“What was that about?” Robbin asked, his tone gentle but curious.
Tasha shook her head, still processing. “Just… an old friend,” she said, though she knew it was much more than that.
Robbin didn’t push for more details, sensing there was a deeper story at play. “If you need to talk, I’m here.”
Tasha glanced at him, appreciating his understanding. “of course,” she said softly, though her mind was very unsettled.
