A Love Once Known

I drag my suitcase out of the airport and walk straight into a massive billboard.

"Welcome back, Jennifer Palmer, the great love of Ivan Olsen's life."

The entire Internet praises him for having waited faithfully for ten years.

A star-struck reporter shoves a microphone in my face and asks, "Ms. Palmer, are you moved that Mr. Olsen has remained celibate for you all this time?"

I blink in confusion at her question. "Who's Ivan?"

When the airport announcement rang from above, it hit me that I had really come home. After seven years of studying abroad and spending what felt like an eternity working on my doctorate, I had graduated with honors.

However, I was stunned when I exited the international arrivals gate.

The massive electronic screen in the arrivals hall was plastered with an image of me that I didn't even remember when I'd taken. Along with the image were the words, "Welcome back, Jennifer Palmer, the great love of Ivan Olsen's life. After a decade of yearning, his true love returns."

"What's going on?" My fingers instinctively tightened around my suitcase's handle.

Before I could process what was happening, a dozen reporters charged at me with cameras flickering and microphones blaring.

"Ms. Palmer, how do you feel about Mr. Olsen's welcome ceremony?"

"Do you know Mr. Olsen is the most eligible bachelor in the city? It's nearly impossible to find a man this devoted these days!"

"Ms. Palmer, are you moved that Mr. Olsen has remained celibate for you all this time?"

The sudden flood of questions left me utterly bewildered, and I instinctively stepped back. However, the reporters grew more frenzied and shoved the microphone close to my face.

I had no choice but to speak.

"Hold on. You must've mistaken me for someone else. I don't know who Mr. Olsen is."

The crowd fell silent at my words before erupting into even greater chaos.

"Ms. Palmer, are you joking? Mr. Olsen declared that you're the only woman he's ever loved!"

"Don't you remember Ivan, who always silently protected you in high school?"

"Ms. Palmer, it's a little heartless of you to forget him when he's been waiting for you all these years."

My frown deepened at their words.

I honestly didn't remember anyone like that from high school. My life then had only consisted of studying and preparing for the overseas exams, and I had barely made any male friends too. Not to mention, there was no way I would have zero memory of someone crushing on me.

The reporters' relentless questions irritated me so badly that my voice turned cold. "I'm sorry, but I have no idea what you're talking about or who Ivan is. Also, I have the right to take legal action against all of you for storming me with cameras and questions without my consent."

At my words, the reporters finally quieted down and exchanged nervous glances. Some, however, were already drafting new headlines.

"Breaking news! The woman that Olsen Group's CEO waited ten years for claims she doesn't even know him! Where will this tragic love story go from now on?"

While the reporters were processing this new information, I snuck away and slid into my best friend's car outside.

I didn't notice the man standing in the corner of the hall. He was ready to charge in like a knight in shining armor when my cold words had stopped him.

Beside him was a petite woman who looked somewhat like me. He squeezed her hand so hard she winced, but he didn't seem to care.