Chapter: CHAPTER 17ELENA. Joy was an understatement for how I felt when he said this. Should I say I've been expecting this? But I couldn't take the chances, I could only imagine all sorts of words all through the weekend. It even got to a point where I couldn't sleep, last night, I could only get roughly four hours of sleep. I even woke up earlier than usual and to distract myself, I had to arrange and rearrange my room. When I left the room, it was around past 7 am which seemed like the most reasonable and natural time to wake up. Aunt Millie reminded me how much she trusted me. "I'm sure you'll get the job. I know my niece's capabilities." She gloated. *My lips parted, and shut almost immediately. "Si-- sir.""And your performance for the past week has been outstanding." He smiled. "I'm proud of you, Pearl."Again with the name. My heart fluttered against its will. I averted my gaze and tried to stay as professional as I could. "Thank you, sir, I'll try to be better, and I'll make sure to never
Last Updated: 2026-06-14
Chapter: CHAPTER 16KAISER. His eyes was wide as he stared at me in shock, his hand was on the jaw I just punched. "Did you just--""You have no fucking right to insult my secretary." I have no idea when or even how I did that, but I didn't regret it. "I wasn't even--" He stopped talking, dropped his hand from his jaw and sighed. "I didn't even insult her, bro, that was harsh." "Well, you talking about her like that is like an insult to me." I snapped. "How dare you stare at her lustfully and have such thoughts towards her?""Oh." He blinked. "I didn't know you were this protective over your workers. Or is there something I don't know?""She's--" I stopped talking when a knock on my office door cut through. "Come in." I yelled and turned to Sam, sending messages to him through glares. Elena walked in with some files. "This is the file you asked for sir, I'm sorry for the interruption.""It's fine." Sam chuckled. "You didn't interrupt anything.""You can go." I said coolly. "Someone will call your des
Last Updated: 2026-06-08
Chapter: CHAPTER 15KAISER.I'm sure if there was a way for Elena to disappear into the seat of the car, she would've. She looked very uncomfortable, completely stiff. All through the drive, I noticed how often she kept glancing at me. She kept stealing glances like I wouldn't notice. I didn't act like I did though, but I couldn't help the smile that spread on my lips. I didn't want to speak, I really didn't want to say anything about her stare but I just had the irresistible urge to tease her. "You've been staring hard. Should I turn for you to get a better view?""I--" Even in the dim light, I could see her cheeks redden. She was the cutest when she was blushing. "I didn't." She stuttered the lie out. "Oh, I must be wrong then." I smiled. "Forgive me for the misunderstanding." Her lips moved, but nothing came out. She immediately bit her lips and stared out the window. Pearl. "There, that's the place." She pointed. The driver pulled up in front of the house. She grabbed her stuff beside her and
Last Updated: 2026-06-06
Chapter: CHAPTER 14ELENA. Fiona stopped a few steps close to me, her glare was heavy. She scrunched her face and turned to Kai immediately. "Can you believe this new secretary of yours? She disrespected me!" Kai dipped his hand into his pockets, staring at me and demanding a response. Is the whole universe against my first day of work? "I didn't say anything offensive other than remind her that she wasn't my boss." I muttered. "That's a fucking lie!!" She yelled. "You insulted--""You're disturbing the peace of this office, Fiona. And I hate it." Kai snapped. Fiona scoffed. "Why are you snapping at me? This girl needs to be taught a lesson! Not only did she insult me, she's also lying to my face, our faces--""Are you coming in for the meeting or do you wish to go back to your company?" "It's not fair and it's just crazy how you can't teach your--" "Fiona!!" Kai raised his voice, surely, it was enough to get Fiona muted. She grabbed her purse from my desk, shot a glare at me and walked past Kai,
Last Updated: 2026-06-03
Chapter: CHAPTER 13ELENA. A loud gasp fell from my lips, the size of my eyes could be compared to a saucer's at this point. Is my job over before it even starts? My hands flew to the tissue box on the table, I pulled out several pieces and wiped his face with it. A lot of it spilled on his lips. Jesus Christ! what the fuck is wrong with me? "I'm sorry, sir. I just got startled. I'm very sorry." I was on my knees, we could be earning attention but I could care less at this point. I just wanted to save my job. Will that even be possible? He let out a deep sigh after I was done wiping his face. "You know..." He drawled, making my heart skip several beats. "Just tissue paper isn't enough to wipe what you've poured on my face. And stand up, people are fucking watching." I stood up, not because I wanted to but I really needed to follow his orders. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-- I'm sorry, sir." He sighed again, like he was trying to control himself from having an actual outburst. I immediately went q
Last Updated: 2026-06-01
Chapter: CHAPTER 12ELENA. I didn't want to think much of the name Pearl that he called me before entering his office. But for some reason, his voice lingered, much more than it was supposed to. Before lunch time, I already had myself mentally prepared for this business meeting. Though I wouldn't be doing more than just jotting, so my full attention was needed. Again, it was all part of his assessment, I needed to do a good job. I needed to impress him. Finally, after hours of endless waiting and almost falling unconscious due to nervousness, it was almost time for the lunch date. I picked up the telephone on my desk and called his office. He took the call almost immediately. "Yes?"I swallowed at the sound of his voice, it was raspy, the kind that gave you naughty--"Sir, you have fifteen minutes left for the lunch meeting with Mr. Winston." "Okay, I'll be out in ten minutes." But before I could give him another response, he ended the call. And just like he said on the phone; exactly ten minutes
Last Updated: 2026-06-01
Chapter: CHAPTER 06ELYSIA. I blinked, frozen on my spot as I stared at Zane who stared back at me coldly. I didn't know what to do or how to react. Should the ground just open up for me to fall? Everything, all of the memories came rushing back to me like they had been waiting for this moment. How he had spilled coffee on me and insulted me on the spot instead of apologizing, how Nova and I had confronted him at the club that night, the shock at the realization of him being the son of the man my mother got married to. What exactly does the universe have against me? "Miss--" Zane raised a brow, narrowing his gaze at me. Why was he pretending like he doesn't know me?"Hayes." I quickly completed it. "Elysia Hayes." Maybe it was for the best. I didn't want to know him either. Hmph! He stepped forward, his hand went into his pocket. "You're welcome to Z&Co Luxury Hotel Chains." "Thank you-- sir." The last word felt sour coming out of my mouth. The side of his lips curled up, he was enjoying this.
Last Updated: 2026-06-20
Chapter: CHAPTER 05ELYSIA. Reluctantly, I got into the car. Partly because I was sure I wouldn't be able to get a taxi anymore and mostly because it's already embarrassing enough that my enemy had to see me like this, and the other people I'd passed with tear-stained cheeks and puffy eyes?I didn't ask how Zane knew of my location, I was too overwhelmed with the vivid images of my boyfri- Nick's so-called cousin bent over the sink while being taken from behind by him. My heart twisted in the most excruciating way that it was almost impossible to breathe. I had stopped sobbing, but I was hiccuping nonstop. Zane said nothing, even if it was obvious that the sound from the hiccups irritated him. He looked infuriated, but still silent. Letting me brood over whatever the fuck made me cry and left me to console myself. Fair enough, for an annoying asshole, he was unexpectedly cool. Or maybe he just didn't care about what the problem was with me. "Do you plan to sleep in here?" His voice woke me from my l
Last Updated: 2026-06-14
Chapter: CHAPTER 04ELYSIA. Oh no! I shut my eyes immediately, my hands flew to my face to block what I just saw. "I-- I'm sorry," I stuttered. "I didn't mean to barge into your room, I'm just here on an errand, mom asked me to call you... for breakfast.""What?""I mean, I didn't mean to see you naked--" my cheeks heated up. "Is that your wish?" He drawled lazily causing me to pause. "Huh?!""Do you wish to see me naked?" Now I was confused. "I-- aren't you--" I couldn't even place the words properly. "I'll be down in a few minutes, leave my room." But I was reluctant to take my hands off my face, until he added. "I'm not naked." Wasn't he? I pulled my hands away slowly, peeking through my fingers for confirmation. He had a black towel hanging dangerously below his waist. Water dripped from his hair, to his face; chiseled jawline, his muscular chest, and then his perfectly sculptured torso and-- hold on! Am I openly admiring this rude Zane's body? So shamelessly? My eyes moved from his body to
Last Updated: 2026-06-14
Chapter: CHAPTER 03ELYSIA. In the next two days before Mom's wedding, I was choked up. I helped Mom out with her fittings, organized the seat charts, helped out with choosing flowers, went for cake tastings, I was practically buried in busy schedules, phone calls, and checklists. Nova helped out as much as she could and I felt grateful to have her. It was even hard to see Mr. Steele. Zane was nowhere around, don't get me wrong, the house felt very comfortable to be in without his haughty stares and hubristic aura. It made me think; maybe moving in won't be a bad idea, I'll barely see him. Nova thought the same. Since Mom and Mr. Steele didn't plan on doing any bridal shower night, I finally had my time to breathe. All the exhaustion from hopping around for the last two days hit me like a ton of bricks. Mom had to hire a masseuse to help massage all of my stiff limbs and aching muscles. Nova felt delighted to be a part of the indoor spa. And that night, though I knew I'd still have to wake up earl
Last Updated: 2026-06-14
Chapter: CHAPTER 02ELYSIA. That rude man from the day before... He's Mr. Steele's son? His hazel orbs were on me lazily, and he had an indifferent expression. Should I say the universe is truly against my happiness in my mom's home? Why would this man of all people be my stepbrother? Slight annoyance was starting to boil in me. I suddenly realized Mr. Steele was waiting for my response with the same smile still on his lips. "Oh, hello-- Zane." I forced a smile. "You shouldn't force a smile, it looks horrible on you." Zane drawled, pulling out a seat and settling on it. My jaw was unhinged in shock, I blinked repeatedly. "What the--" "You don't have to mind him, Elysia, he can be a little icy sometimes, but he gets better with some time." Mr. Steele said. Get better with time? I'm sure if this man goes to rehab, he'll make sure to flip the main reason why rehab is built. He's a whole bad influence without a peer.I nodded anyway, even Mr. Steele didn't look confident after saying those words. "H
Last Updated: 2026-06-14
Chapter: CHAPTER 01ELYSIA. "Cheers!" Nova shrieked, and we clinked our glasses; the clattering sound blended in with the reverberating music that filled our ears. Blue and red lights spun around, adding to the fun of the club. People roamed around, both drunk and sober. "Finally, you bagged a fucking job!" Her voice tore through the loud music causing me to smile. "I need to have fun before going to meet Mom at Bel Air tomorrow." I grabbed the refilled glass and emptied it into my mouth, my face scrunched as the liquid burned its way down my throat. "Agreed!" Nova shrieked. The blasting music shook my insides, and like we wanted, the alcohol was hitting as much as the music was too. She refilled our glasses, and on the counter beside the glasses were a bottle of tequila and another bottle of vodka. Nova suggested it, and I agreed because why not? After months of futile search for a job, I finally got one. And it wasn't just in any company; it was one of the largest luxury hotel chains in West Hol
Last Updated: 2026-06-14
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