Ben froze up, all his practiced lines vanishing as he stared at his hero.

James, thinking he'd scared the kid, softened his usual ice-cold look with a slight smile.

"You sure you're okay?" he asked again.

Ben nodded quickly. "Yes sir, I'm fine."

His clear little voice was perfect American English. Looking around nervously, he asked, "Could I maybe get your autograph?"

"Hmm?"

James had never gotten that request before. Something about this kid pulled at him, so he crouched down to chat.

Just then, Ben spotted his mom leaving the ladies' room and bolted.

James's hand hung in mid-air, about to pat the boy's head. His brow wrinkled.

Why'd the kid run? Was he that scary?

The boy vanished in a flash. James stood up, his brief warmth replaced by his usual cool demeanor, and walked away.

Aria had turned back for a forgotten bracelet, missing both James and Ben's quick exit.

Ben caught his breath around the corner, heart racing. That was close - Mom almost caught him!

Wait, why was Mom here? Then he remembered - Mary mentioned a work dinner. Must be that.

The little boy frowned, looking exactly like James had moments ago.

Suddenly he looked up to find a suited man staring at him in shock.

"W-who are you?"

The man couldn't believe his eyes. This kid was like a mini-Boss!

Could he be the boss's secret child?

Ben's guard went up instantly. Mom always said no talking to strangers. This guy seemed weird - time to go.

Taking advantage of the man's surprise, Ben disappeared again.

Meanwhile, Aria's coworker was calling her. "Come on, we've been waiting!"

Aria hurried over, suddenly nervous about meeting the new boss. Sure, she was confident in her designs, but what if he hated them? Losing this job would mean a harder life for her kids.

"Boss, meet Aria - our star designer," Jeremy announced proudly, leading her to James.

The emcee was mid-praise: "The star of Fashion Week, her Seastar Collection..."

"Emily!" James's eyes went from shock to blazing fury in seconds, his ice-cold facade cracking into raw rage. His breathing turned ragged.

How was she here? She was supposed to be dead - burned to ashes five years ago!

Aria hadn't seen this coming either. Of all people, her new boss just had to be James - the man who destroyed her life, the last person on Earth she wanted to see.

Something snapped inside her. Pure hatred flashed through her usually warm eyes. She gripped her dress so tight her knuckles went white, trying to keep it together.

Her coworkers had blocked her view when she first came in. Now face-to-face with him, she fought the urge to slap him.

"I'm not Emily. I'm Aria," she said with a cold smile.

James let out a harsh laugh - then crushed the glass in his hand!

Everyone froze.

Aria jumped, meeting his dark eyes burning with fury.

Seriously? He's mad? He's the one who threw her away and paid someone to... If anyone had the right to be angry, it was her!

Blood dripped from James's hand. His assistant Joseph snapped out of it first.

"Sir, your hand..."

James shot up, stalking toward Aria.

His presence was suffocating, like being hit with arctic wind. But Aria stood her ground, staring right back at him.

"Aria? You think a name change would fool me? Well played, Emily. Real well played!"

Five years thinking she was dead. Five years of guilt keeping him up at night.

Aria heard the fury behind his clenched teeth. How ironic.

The tension was electric. Jeremy cleared his throat nervously. "Uh, Aria, you two know each other?"

James's deadly glare shut Jeremy up mid-breath.

In one swift move, James grabbed Aria's wrist and dragged her toward the door.

"Let go! I'm not Emily - you've got the wrong person!"

She'd finally built a peaceful life. For her sake and her twins', she couldn't let this monster back in. She refused to be Emily again.

If only she'd known James was the new boss...