LOGINThe sound of the solid teak door of the apartment suite closing tightly marked the end of Malveno's visit that night.Anna stood quietly behind the door for a moment, leaning against it as she let out a long breath. Her right hand gently touched the back of her left hand—the very place where the lingering warmth of Malveno's firm grip and the gentle stroke of his thumb still seemed vividly imprinted. An unfamiliar warmth settled deep within her chest, a sense of peace she had not felt in the past seven years.After straightening her dress and fixing her hair, Anna slowly walked toward the living room. The golden glow of the chandelier illuminated the spacious room. There, Grandma Wen was seated on the main sofa, holding a financial document on her lap while sipping her now-cold herbal tea."You're finally back, Anna?" Grandma Wen called without taking her eyes off the papers in her hands. Her aged, slightly hoarse voice echoed through the quiet room."Yes, Grandma," Anna replied softl
The atmosphere in Columbia University's parking lot that afternoon was bustling. The sound of students' footsteps, having just finished their first class of the day, filled the outdoor corridors, blending with lively conversations about various orientation topics.At the corner of the designated two-wheeled vehicle parking area, Daven had just finished hanging his helmet on the handlebar of his electric motorcycle. The tall young man was adjusting the strap of his backpack when a shrill voice he knew all too well rang out from the side."Hey! Wait!"Revaline Chandler Muna strode toward him with unmistakable confidence. The designer outfit she wore stood out among the simple attire of the other students. Today, her face no longer carried the anger she had shown during their first confrontation. Instead, it was adorned with a deliberately sweet smile.Daven stopped what he was doing and turned around with a short sigh that clearly showed his reluctance."What is it now? Is this about la
The kiss that had lasted for several seconds slowly came to an end. The night air inside the car cabin suddenly felt thick, saturated with a tide of confusing emotions. Anna slowly opened her eyes, letting out a short, trembling breath. In front of her, Malveno was still gazing at her from an impossibly close distance, his eyes revealing an inner turmoil he could no longer conceal.The two of them stared at each other in silence, allowing the seconds to pass without either of them daring to speak first. An overwhelming sense of confusion filled both of their minds. That kiss had not been merely a momentary impulse between two adults who had just escaped danger on the road. There had been an unmistakable sense of comfort, a natural warmth that felt incredibly familiar to both of them—as though their lips had been meant to fit together in exactly that way since long ago."Have... have we known each other before?" Malveno asked, his voice heavy and hoarse as it broke the silence between
Silence enveloped the cabin of the black sedan driven by Malveno. Throughout the city streets illuminated by the dim glow of the night lights, not a single word was exchanged between them. Only the steady hum of the engine filled the air, accompanied by the restrained, quiet breaths from both sides.In the passenger seat, Anna stared blankly out the window. Her mind was in complete turmoil, endlessly replaying the words spoken by the boutique owner earlier. Camelia and Calvin... husband and wife. Those names echoed like unfamiliar voices that refused to stop calling to her from the darkest corners of her memory.Meanwhile, Malveno gripped the steering wheel tightly. His thumb tapped rhythmically against the leather surface—a habit that always surfaced whenever he was under immense emotional strain. The boutique owner's words had not only disturbed his thoughts but had also sparked countless speculations in his business-minded head.I have to find out the truth, Malveno thought with un
Anna and Malveno's footsteps echoed across the marble floor of an upscale boutique located in the most prestigious district of Manhattan. As they had agreed over lunch at the café earlier that day, the two of them had decided to choose the formal attire they would wear for next week's business banquet. The boutique, designed with a classic modern ambiance, was quiet, displaying rows of handcrafted evening gowns and tailored suits created by world-renowned designers.Anna walked slowly while observing the neatly arranged rows of clothing. Beside her, Malveno walked calmly, maintaining a professional distance that still made them look perfectly matched to anyone watching from afar.From the private tailoring area, a very elegant middle-aged woman—the owner of the boutique—stepped out to welcome her VIP guests. However, after taking only two steps toward the front, she suddenly stopped in her tracks. The silver glasses she was holding slipped from her hand.Her eyes widened as she stared
The soft melody of instrumental jazz drifting through the restaurant's speakers seemed to be the only thing easing the silence that enveloped their table. Malveno Chandler remained standing with one hand resting on the back of his chair. His gaze was fixed on the pair of clear eyes belonging to the woman sitting across from him.An unfamiliar flutter once again struck his chest. It was exactly the same feeling he had experienced the previous afternoon.At last, Malveno broke the awkward silence. He pulled out the cushioned wooden chair and sat down across from Anna."We've met before at the airport, haven't we?" Malveno asked, his voice calm yet carrying absolute certainty.Anna, who had been unconsciously holding her breath, slowly exhaled. Her lips, brushed with peach-colored lipstick, curved into a graceful smile. She gave a gentle nod."That's right, sir. It's quite a surprising coincidence to meet you again in a place like this."Malveno returned her smile, unable to hide the tra







