Novels by Zara

****Vivienne's POV****The next morning I woke up earlier than usual. The air around the resort felt cool and refreshing. When I pulled the curtains open, sunlight shimmered beautifully across the Blue Lagoon pools outside. Everything looked peaceful and calm.After getting ready, I went downstairs and met several female colleagues in the lobby.Everyone looked excited. Since this was a company trip, the atmosphere felt completely different from the office. No one was thinking about meetings, reports, or deadlines anymore. People only wanted to relax and enjoy themselves.We spent the entire morning walking around the resort together. The place was enormous, filled with gardens, small bridges, crystal pools, and winding paths that connected different villas.Every few minutes someone stopped to take pictures.Some of the girls asked me to help photograph them while they posed beside the flowers or near the water. Sometimes we took group photos together and laughed at how awkward some

***Vivienne's POV***My body felt weak and heavy as I leaned against Alexander in the warm water of the Blue Lagoon pool.It felt as though all the strength had drained from me. My cheeks were burning and my breathing still had not returned to normal. I stayed quietly in his arms for a while because I did not even have enough energy to move.When Alexander noticed the slight tremble running through my body, he slowly withdrew his hand. His voice was calm and low when he spoke.“Do you feel better now? Did your body finally relax?”I gave a faint sound in response because I was too tired to say anything properly. I simply rested against him and closed my eyes for a moment.Suddenly he lifted me effortlessly and settled me onto his lap beneath the warm water.The moment I realized what he intended to do next, panic rose inside me. I immediately struggled to move away and pushed against his chest again and again while telling him no.My mind was very clear at that moment. I knew I could

***Vivienne's POV***The company organized a team vacation at a seaside resort. Since many employees were joining the trip, three large buses had been arranged for transportation.The V and R department, M and F department, and M and E department were all traveling together. In total there were more than forty employees attending.Everyone had been excited since the announcement was made.That morning people arrived at work carrying bags and suitcases. Some brought backpacks filled with swimsuits and sunscreen while others dragged small luggage cases behind them through the office hallways.The atmosphere in the company felt unusually lively. Hardly anyone could focus completely on work because conversations about the resort and the beach continued all day long.When work finally ended everyone rushed downstairs toward the parking area where the buses were waiting.I carried my bag down to the ground floor and stepped onto one of the buses. Most of the seats were already occupied by e

*** Vivienne’s POV***“You handled the press conference very well today. Really. Good job.”Alexander’s words sounded like praise on the surface, but the tone beneath them carried obvious displeasure.Every sentence seemed forced out slowly, as though he was trying hard to control his irritation.The moment he spoke, I immediately understood why he came back to the bedroom.He was here to reprimand me.I slowly sat upright against the bed and faced him calmly, even though I could already guess what had upset him.“I’m sorry,” I said sincerely. “But I truly did it for the good of the V and R brand.”I paused briefly before continuing.“The press conference already had huge attention online. Since the traffic was there, I thought it would be a waste not to use it properly and create even more interest around the products.”Alexander remained standing beside the bed while watching me quietly.“And?” he asked coldly.His tone was short and direct.I hesitated briefly before speaking again

*** Vivienne’s POV***I remained standing quietly in the corner of the underground garage while Isabella’s trembling voice echoed through the empty space. My thoughts became tangled with questions, but one thought stayed in my mind more than the others.Could it be that Isabella’s illness was truly connected to something terrible that happened in the past?Perhaps the fear in her eyes was not completely fake. Perhaps she really had experienced something horrifying before.Before I could continue thinking, I heard her cry again.“No… I cannot. I really cannot…”Her voice broke apart helplessly. She sounded weak and frightened, as though she had fallen back into a painful memory she could never escape.“Every time I close my eyes I see that place again. I cannot forget it. I keep calling your name, Alexander…”Her sobs became louder and echoed through the quiet parking garage.“I kept hoping you would come save me…”Alexander did not answer immediately.I stayed hidden where I was, my b

***Vivienne's POV Cont ***The host’s voice rose with excitement as she smiled brightly at the audience.“We are really lucky today. The first draw goes to our CEO Ashford. Please welcome Mr. Alexander Ashford to the stage.”Applause immediately filled the hall. Camera flashes burst endlessly from every direction, overlapping into a constant storm of light.On the giant screen behind us, the live comments were already flooding past faster than anyone could properly read.This is obviously scripted.No way this draw is random.This is going to be interesting.Alexander rose from his seat calmly as though none of the chaos around him had anything to do with him.He adjusted his suit jacket with one hand before walking toward the stage with measured steps. His expression remained composed and unreadable beneath the bright lights.He had stood before larger crowds than this. Compared to international business summits and financial conferences, this event was insignificant.The host smiled