Marrissa's point of view For two days, I had locked myself in my room, drowning in my thoughts. I barely ate, barely moved, I just laid in my bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying everything that happened in the club over and over. The more I thought about it, the more I blamed myself. “It’s all my fault,” I chastised myself. If only I had been stronger. If only I had been wiser. If only I had not let my emotions cloud my judgment. Morgan, Andre, my past, my present, everything is tangled together in my mind, and it's making me go crazy. I feel my heart was stretched in two opposing directions, and I didn't know which path to follow. A soft knock on my door pulled me out of my thoughts. "Marrissa, please, open the door. "We need to talk," Madam Señorita said in a gentle but firm voice. I sighed as I got up and walked to the door. I already knew what this conversation would be about. I paused midway, staring at the locked door as if it was the only thing shielding me fr
Marrissa's point of view “You look different tonight Marrissa,” Erica teased, during dinner.I raised an eyebrow. “Good or bad?” I asked.“Definitely good, you look like a teenage girl in love.”“Erica!” Madam Señorita screamed.“Young woman, what do you know about love?”“Really mom? She asked, "I'm not nineteen.”“Neither are you twenty-nine,” Madam Señorita teased.“Don't you see it? The glow in Marrissa's eyes ever since she came in with my brother. Even a blind man would know my brother is a better lover than her ex-husband.”“That is, go to your room immediately, and no more Korean movies for you for the next two years,” Madame Señorita said.“You know that's not possible mom? I wouldn't survive it.”“Oh you will, trust me.”“Brother?” She called, begging for Andre's interference.Andre raised his hand up, gesturing he was not ready to get involved and I shrugged.Dinner ended in a playful mood, and when I got to my room, I couldn't help but smile.The love I felt here is every
Marrissa's point of view "Hey, hope you aren't backing out of our deal because of that drama Morgan made yesterday," Andre asked.It was already noon, and I wasn't dressed to go out. In fact, I hadn't even taken a bath that day.Truth be told, all I wanted was to stay in my room and cry about how unlucky I was."Marrissa, you promised," Andre said in a sad tone.I know Andre, but I'm just worried. What if Morgan shows up again?""And if he did?" Andre asked with a shrug."I don't want what happened between you two to repeat itself, someone could have gotten hurt, and I would blame myself.""Marrissa, you don't need to worry about that. What you need to do right now is to get ready. We are going to the cinemas.""Did I hear someone say cinema?" Erica interrupted."Can I tag along please," she pleaded."No," Andre said firmly."Marrissa baby, please," she turned to me.Maybe some other time, I said with a smile.We got to the cinema hall about an hour after we left home. The place was
Marrissa's point of view I could feel Morgan’s restraint snapping and I got scared.His hand shot out before I could stop him. His fist connected with Andre’s jaw with a sickening crack.Andre stumbled back, knocking over his drink. The table shook, and the glasses tumbled, shattering on the floor. Gasps and whispers filled the bar as people turned to watch. Andre wiped his mouth, then lunged. His fist connected with Morgan’s side, but Morgan barely flinched. He retaliated with a brutal shove, sending Andre crashing into a chair. “Stop it!” I shouted, scrambling to my feet. But they weren’t listening. I shoved myself between them, pressing my hands against Morgan’s chest and pushing him back with all my strength. *Enough!” His breathing was ragged, his pulse pounding under my hands. His eyes turned to me, wild with possessiveness. Andre straightened his collar, glaring. “Get yourself something to do, Thornhill.” Morgan made a move to go for him again, but I grabbed hi
Morgan's point of viewI was doing everything wrong. Even a child could tell that every choice I made in the past few days was the exact opposite of what I should have done if I really wanted Marrissa back. I said the wrong words. Made the wrong moves. God, just imagining myself fighting in public with André, André of all people, was enough to make any sane woman run in the opposite direction. I embarrassed myself. I embarrassed her. And I knew it. But damn, I could not help it. Every time I saw Marrissa smiling, looking happy… and I was not the source of it? My blood boiled. Every time I saw her with André, looking at him like he was the only good thing left in her world, I lost my mind. I wanted her back. More than anything. I wanted her to smile with me. I wanted to be the man she turned to when she needed comfort, when she needed anything. But I could not get her back like that. I knew that. I just did not know any other way. And that was the sad, pathetic truth. Af
Morgan's point of view I stood in my father’s study, my arms crossed. My jaw was clenched so tightly that it hurt. My patience was running thin, and I could barely contain the frustration bubbling inside me. I had spent days chasing after Marrissa in Spain, only to be yanked back to Paris like a damn fugitive. And now, here I was, standing across from my father, waiting for an explanation. Marrissa stood a few feet away, looking just as confused and irritated as I felt. Neither of us had any idea why we were here, why we had been summoned like misbehaving children. And I hated feeling like I was being played. My father was sitting behind his massive mahogany desk, his expression calm and, composed like he had everything under control. That only made my temper rise the more. “I assume you both want to know why you are here,” he said smoothly, his fingers laced together. I scoffed, barely able to control my temper. “You think? You had me dragged out of Spain like I was some cr
Morgan's point of view The days that followed was filled with press conferences, public appearances, and carefully orchestrated interviews. Marrissa and I became part of my father’s election campaign. We paraded in front of cameras, smiling on command, and playing the part of a strong and united couple. At first, it was unbearable. Marrissa and I had barely spoken before this mess, and now we were expected to stand together, hand in hand, while the world scrutinized our every move. But something strange happened. Living together again, spending time side by side changed a lot of of things. I didn't realized just how much I missed her presence until I had no choice but to be around her constantly. Marrissa had always had this fire in her, this independence that drove me crazy because I wanted to protect her, to claim her. But soon, I started appreciating the same things I once hated in her, and the little things I don't notice in the past. Like the way she hummed under her br
Marrissa's point of view Everything that had happened since the beginning of the week had been overwhelming. Morgan’s change in behavior was confusing. One moment, he was still the same arrogant, controlling man I had come to expect, and the next, he was… different. Thoughtful, even considerate. And I did not know what to do. A part of me wanted to believe that he had truly changed, that this new version of him was real and that it would last forever. That maybe, just maybe, he was capable of being the kind of man I had always wished for. But another part of me—” the smarter part", I must say, knew better. Men like Morgan did not change overnight. This was definitely a temporary act, a pretense he would soon get tired of. And if I let myself fall for it, if I allowed myself to believe he was different, I would only end up hurting myself again. I need to be careful. I need to protect myself from Morgan and heartbreak. Just then, a sharp pain twisted through my stomac
Marrissa's point of view I stood outside the shimmering glass doors of the executive conference room with my heart pounding in my chest like it was trying to escape. Behind those doors was a panel of investors, each one a name I had memorized from the dossier Mr. Adrian handed me just yesterday. The Echelon Project. A multi-million-dollar initiative that could reshape tech-integrated education.“You’ve got this,” Samira whispered beside me, nudging my arm. She had tagged along under the pretense of delivering tea, but I knew she was really there to support me. My ride-or-die bestie.I took one deep breath. Then I walked in.Thirty-seven minutes later, I came out looking like I had fought a war and somehow survived. My hands trembled, but my voice had not cracked once. I answered every question, deflected the skepticism, and even got to make them laugh.“How did it go?” Samira asked, practically vibrating with excitement.“I think…” I exhaled, blinking. “I think I killed it.”“YES!”
Marrissa's point of view After my meeting with Mr. Adrian, something inside me shifted.I was not going to cry in the bathrooms anymore. I was not going to let Bianca or anyone run me out.If they wanted a show? I would give them the best damn performance they had ever seen.Samira found me later in the break room, still gripping my coffee cup like a weapon."You look like you are about to commit a felony," she said brightly."Felony?" I echoed, smiling thinly. "More like... a strategic takedown."She slid into the seat across from me, her eyebrows raised."God, I love it when you get scary," she said, laughing. "Tell me everything."And I did.I told her how I would start saving backup files on a separate drive in a hidden folder labeled Birthday Party Clowns. No one would ever check that one. I told her how I would place subtle marks on my original documents. I would use things only I would recognize and if they were tampered with, I would realize immediately.I explained how
Marrissa's point of view Daniel told me to continue working on the Echelon project even thoughno results had come about who would really lead the project.“There's no harm in being prepared,” he said and I agreed.He agreed to assist me in the best way he could and today we were supposed to have a meeting.Well, yes iIt was supposed to be a quick meeting.Just me and Daniel. We were supposed to finalize a section of the Echelon project before the weekend.Instead, it turned into three hours of gisting and snacking. There were two pizza boxes, and one playlist full of 90s hits blasting through the empty office.At some point, I realized we were laughing more than working."I swear," Daniel said between bites of cold pizza, "half of all the good architect are just surviving the ridiculous clients.""Oh, you mean the lady who wanted her lobby made entirely out of glass? Including the floor?" I asked, grinning.Daniel shuddered dramatically. "I tell you."We both laughed.And then — Th
Bianca's point of view I saw everything and I was not only irritated,I was angry.Who the fuck does she think she is. She came in as a freaking newbie and now,she was leading a project I had been working my ass to lead.What the hell did she do to Mr Adrian?I saw the easy smile he always gave her.The way even Daniel lingered by the doorway after her presentation, scribbling notes furiously, his gaze locked on Marrissa like she was some kind of prodigy.It made my stomach twist.Everything about her annoyed me . Her wide eyes and modest outfits and fake humility. She walks about like she had no idea she had just snagged the biggest project in the company. The Echelon Account. My project. At least, it was supposed to be mine.And now, she was everyone's favorite.Including Mr Rodes actually came to the company just to say “Marrissa’s proposal was refreshing. I’m excited to have her work here."Excited?She barely knew which floor the printers were on.After everything I had done, aft
Marrissa's point of view Later that afternoon, my badge beeped me into the sleek, glass-walled conference room. The long table was already packed with managers, strategists, and consultants. And, of course, Bianca was sitting, looking at me like a hawk, her legs were crossed and she was tapping a pen against her notepad with surgical precision.I gulped. Samira gave me a thumbs-up from behind a frosted partition.At exactly one o'clock, Mr. Adrian, Mr Allen and Mrs Spencer walked in. They were all calm and composed,but the room snapped to attention like they carried gravity in their pockets."Ladies and gentlemen," he said, "this is Marrissa and I picked her as the lead on Echelon. We will be hearing her make a presentation as well as Bianca and at the end, we will decide who will really lead the project."There were murmurs in the room . Some looked at me with raised eyebrows and someone even coughed.I opened my folder with trembling hands and began explaining my initial idea
Marrissa's point of view I barely made it home before my phone buzzed again.Samira:> Emergency. > Celebration required. > Meet us at ‘The Olive Lounge by 7:30 sharp. > Dress cute but comfy. Boss Babe orders.I didn’t even bother arguing. Samira had basically dragged me into their circle at full speed with no brakes and honestly, I like it.I threw on a pair of skinny jeans, a soft rose-pink blouse, and some ankle boots that made me feel vaguely fashionable, and by 7:20, Samira was honking outside like a maniac."You are ate!" she yelled as I climbed into the car."You are early!" I shot back.Liana and Tasha were already seated at the backseat, waving like overexcited puppies."You look so CUTE!" Liana squealed."She understood the assignment," Tasha said approvingly, high-fiving me.Samira drove away from the curb like she was auditioning for ‘Fast and Furious: The Suburban Edition’."We have ONE mission tonight," she declared with shining eyes."Survive your driving?" I s
Marrissa's point of view I did say I was on fire yesterday right. Well, there was nothing hot in me right now as I stood in front of Me Adria, trying not to crumble to the ground."Miss Marrissa, I had not been hundred percent truthful to you and I think I should now."My stomach twisted.“What is he about to say?” I thought to myself."I didn't give you the entire information because I didn't want you scared or overwhelmed."My legs began to shake, suddenly too weak to carry the weight of my body."May I sit please?” I asked weakly."Oh please, do take your seat, “ he said, gesturing to a chair across from him.I sat down and placed my shaky hands on my lap.I didn't know why,but I was worried he wanted to say something bad. His nt facial expression didn't even make it any better.He wasn't smiling."First, I want to commend you again for your work so far, you have been incredibly good, but…. I'm afraid there is more to do"."You will be attending a meeting this afternoon with top e
Marrissa's point of view I spent Sunday indoors, preparing mentally and physically for tomorrow's work activities.Monday came and I dressed smartly for work. Today, I will attend my first core planning meeting.The Core Planning Team meeting was held on the thirty-fifth floor — the floor with actual glass walls, leather chairs, and a skyline view that made you feel both inspired and slightly nauseous at the same time.I held my new badge so tightly it nearly left an imprint on my palm.Samira had tried to coach me on the elevator ride up:"Okay, listen," she said in a hushed voice. You are brilliant, but you are also new to this. Some of those people there have been here for years. They are not going to throw you a party, Marrissa. Just... smile. Be polite. And don’t let Karen corner you."I frowned. " Who is Karen?"Samira widened her eyes. "You will know when you see her."Great. Cryptic warnings and mystery enemies. “This was fine,” I whispered.The elevator dinged, and w
Marrissa's point of view I woke up the next day with sunlight streaming through the curtains, casting a warm glow across my room. The noise of the city outside was a comforting reminder that I was in a new place.It was Saturday. A day to relax.I stretched lazily on the bed, feeling the softness of the sheets against my skin. The air smelled faintly of lavender from the diffuser I had set up the night before.Deciding to make the most of the day, I slipped into comfortable clothes and tied my hair up. I put on some upbeat music—something with a rhythm that made cleaning feel less like a chore and more like a party. As the melodies filled the apartment, I moved from room to room, dusting, organizing, and tidying up.An hour into my cleaning spree, my phone buzzed with a notification. I wiped my hands on a towel and picked it up.It was a message from a hidden number: “How are you faring?”I stared at the screen, puzzled.“Who could this be?” Could it be Molly or Andre? But why use