Episode 3: Back to Where It All Began
AUTHOR
"Sometimes, returning to the past is not about changing fate... But confronting what we once ignored" --- Luna Noir
[LinTech corporation, 10th Floor -- Marketing Department Office]
It's a modern, high-rise building with floor-to-ceiling glass windows. The golden morning light spills across polished desks. Everything looks just like it did one year ago-too perfect, almost like a dream.
Aria Lin walks in slowly, taking in her surroundings. The office smells like fresh coffee and printer ink. Her heels echo softly against the marble-tiled floor. Her heart is pounding in her chest.
She brushes a strand of hair behind her ear, watching the familiar faces of her team laugh and chatter. She sees herself reflected in the glass-youthful, calm... unaware of what's coming.
But she's not that woman anymore.
She sits down at her corner desk. A small cactus plant, a photo frame of her and Lila, and her old laptop greet her. She runs her fingers across the desk surface, feeling everything like it's for the first time again.
She opens the laptop. A reminder pops up: "Marketing Strategy Meeting – 10:00 AM with Project Lead: Lila Chen."
Aria Lin(FL)
(thinking)
So this is where it started. The pitch that led to the scandal. The one she stole and used against me...
Her phone vibrates. A message from Damien Wu.
Damien Wu(ML)
You've made it back. Be careful with your first moves. Time is watching. And so are your enemies.
Aria Lin(FL)
How do I know this is real? That I can really change things?
No reply. Typical Damien. Mysterious and silent when she needs answers. Still, she feels he's watching, somehow guiding her.
[Scene: Conference Room - 10:00 AM]
Glass walls, a long oval table with a digital whiteboard at the front. Lila Chen walks in, wearing her usual pastel pink blazer and a fake sweet smile. She pulls out her laptop and flashes her perfect white teeth at Aria.
Lila Chen
Morning, bestie! I hope you're ready to crush the pitch today. I stayed up all night polishing the deck we worked on.
Aria forces a smile, but her insides twist.
Aria Lin(FL)
(Thinking)
Polishing, or stealing? I trusted you. But not this time.
Lila turns on the presentation. The same slide deck Aria created... word for word. She's already started her theft.
Aria's nails dig into her palm. But she breathes in deeply, controlling herself. Now is not the time. She needs a plan.
[Scene: Break Room -- 12:30 PM]
Dim lights, a coffee machine humming in the corner, and the soft clinking of ceramic mugs. Aria pours herself black coffee, deep in thought. She turns around and nearly bumps into Ethan Zhao.
Ethan Zhao
Whoa! Careful there.
He chuckles, catching the edge of the cup before it spills.
Ethan's warm brown eyes and signature boyish grin make her chest tighten. She remembers how kind he was. How he always offered support, even when things fell apart.
Ethan Zhao
You okay? You've been kind of quiet today. That's not like you.
Aria Lin(FL)
(smiling softly)
I'm fine. Just... thinking a lot lately.
Ethan Zhao
Still overthinking like always? (He gently nudges her shoulder.) Come on, let's grab lunch later. My treat. You need a break.
He walks away, leaving Aria stunned. She watches his back, her thoughts tangled
Aria Lin(FL)
(thinking)
I didn't know back then... that you cared this much. Or maybe I just never noticed.
[Scene: Aria's Apartment - Late Evening]
Small and cozy. Pale beige curtains sway with the breeze from the open window. Aria sits cross-legged on the couch, staring at her wall covered in sticky notes-names, events, key dates. She's trying to map out everything she remembers from before.
Aria Lin(FL)
(writing on a sticky note)
October 12-Lila leaks pitch draft to VP Lee.
October 14-1 get blamed. Suspended from work.
October 16-Board meeting. Reputation ruined.
She sticks it on the wall. Her timeline is coming together. She looks at a photo on her phone -her and Lila smiling, fake happiness captured forever.
Aria Lin(FL)
(thinking)
This time... I'll be the one setting the trap.
A ping draws her attention. A voice message from Damien.
Damien Wu(ML)
(Voice message)
You're already changing the flow of time. But be warned: the deeper you go, the more dangerous this game becomes. Especially when feelings start to interfere.
His voice is low, unreadable... yet strangely comforting. Aria closes her eyes, clutching her phone tightly.
AUTHOR
"When you're given a second chance, it's not just about revenge. It's about learning who you were... and who you're ready to become." Luna Noir
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