LOGIN*Gaea*Russu dropped me off at the same convenience store where he picked me up earlier. As soon as his car disappeared from sight, I started walking back to Clyden’s condo.It was almost eight in the evening.But I had a feeling… he still wasn’t home.I was even humming to myself while unlocking the door—an idea for a new scene had finally come to me. For once, something felt right.Until I opened the door.And saw him.Clyden stood there, brows furrowed, eyes dark.Waiting.“Where did you go?” he asked, his voice low and controlled as his gaze slowly scanned what I was wearing.My throat went dry.My heartbeat quickened under the weight of his stare.“I went out to find inspiration,” I answered, trying to sound casual.I was about to walk past him—but suddenly, his hand gripped my shoulder, pushing me back against the door.I gasped softly.“What’s your problem, Clyden?!” I snapped, forcing myself to meet his eyes.“Which man did you run to this time for ‘inspiration’?” he asked col
*Gaea*I spent the whole day just staring at my laptop. Whenever my back started to hurt, I switched to my phone so I could lie down on the bed while writing.I glanced at the big wall clock when my phone rang. It was already five in the afternoon, so I immediately got up and went to the kitchen. Clyden gets off at seven, so I decided to prepare the ingredients first and cook around six so the food would still be warm.I went back to writing so I wouldn’t waste time. I managed to finish one chapter before the alarm for six p.m. rang. I left my writing for a while and returned to the kitchen to cook. When I was done, I went back to what I was doing. Even while writing, I still felt bored. I grabbed my phone from the table when it rang.“Ma, why did you call?” I asked as soon as I answered. I heard laughter on the other line, so I figured they were joking around again. “What are you doing there? Is there an occasion?”“Oh, nothing. Your father just said he misses you,” she replied. I sm
• Gaea •By the time we arrived at Clyden’s condo unit, my whole body felt exhausted.It was ridiculous, honestly. All I did was sit most of the time—and occasionally argue with that man.I was hungry too, but I had no intention of getting up to cook. Maybe it was because of talking to Clyden’s friends earlier. I didn’t socialize often, and just that short interaction had already drained me. That was one of the reasons I became a writer in the first place—sometimes, I was too shy… or simply too lazy to deal with people.“Gaea, what are you doing lying there on the sofa?” he asked.I was sprawled out, my legs resting on the backrest.“Go change. Once you’re done, we’ll eat.”“Are you just going to order food?” I asked, hopeful.I immediately jumped up and headed toward my room to change, but before going in, I peeked back at him.“Make it something delicious, Clyden!” I called out.He just shook his head before standing and grabbing his phone.I went straight to the closet, grabbed a r
• Gaea •I was just about to finish the second chapter I’d been working on when Clyden walked over to me. He still had that irritating smirk on his face—the same one from earlier. If I could’ve scolded him properly, I would have done it already.“Do you need something?” I asked, frowning.He placed both hands on my desk and leaned slightly closer, locking eyes with me.“I don’t want to waste my time, Mr. Lee, so if you—”“Would you mind if I invite you to lunch?”I blinked, then instinctively glanced at my watch. I hadn’t even noticed the time.“So?” he pressed.My stomach was already growling, but I wanted to finish my chapter first. If I stopped midway, there was a high chance I’d forget what was supposed to happen next. That always happened to me.“You can go ahead, Clyden. I still have work to—”Before I could finish, he suddenly dropped into the chair across from me like a sulking child.I raised an eyebrow.“What are you doing?” I asked, confused. “There’s nothing wrong with wha
• Gaea •Ever since Clyden sat down at his desk, we had both been busy. I didn’t mind it at all—I actually preferred quiet places when I wrote.I stood up for a moment to grab coffee from the pantry. I could never last long writing without it. I usually went through almost five cups a day. After preparing mine, I returned to the sofa, my brows knitting together when I noticed Clyden now standing by the glass window, talking on his phone.I ignored him and went back to my seat. I was about to start typing again when I realized my phone—just beside my laptop earlier—was gone.“Clyden, have you seen my cell—” I stopped mid-sentence when I saw the phone in his hand. It looked exactly like mine. “Is that my phone?”One of my brows lifted as he smirked. Annoyed, I stood and walked toward him, but before I could reach him, I heard what he was saying.“Yes, ma’am, I’ll take care of your daughter. Please take care of yourself as well.”My eyes widened. I rushed toward him, snatched my phone fr
*Gaea*I thought he was taking me back to my apartment so I could pack my things.But instead, he turned toward Binondo—and stopped right in front of Keanston Tower.The building of Lee Empire.My eyes widened as I stared at him. “What are we doing here, Clyden?” I asked, still in disbelief. I was standing in front of the biggest company in Y City.“Coffee?” he replied, raising a brow.I grimaced. I swear, his face was just asking to be slapped.“I told you I need money for my family—”I stopped when he pressed a finger against my lips, silencing me.“Give me your mother’s name and number,” he said seriously. “I’ll have my secretary handle it. You don't need to ask another man because I can give it easily to you.”I raised a brow. What’s the catch this time?“What’s that look for, Miss Montessori?”“Why would you lend me money?” I asked, suspicious. Even looking at him for inspiration came with a price—what more something like this?“Do you not want it?” he countered, frowning.I sigh







