ISLA'S POVThe events of the past few days had been a whirlwind, but this morning’s revelation left me even more unsteady. My mother’s surgery was paid for. The money had come from someone, but I hadn’t done it.As the car stopped at a red light, I decided I couldn’t stay silent any longer. “Victor,” I said, my voice hesitant.He looked up from his laptop, his expression calm. “Yes?”I took a deep breath. “It was the hospital. They called to confirm they received the transfer.” My voice shook slightly. “Was it you? Did you transfer the money to them?”Victor stopped typing and turned to face me fully. His blue-gray eyes met mine, sincere and steady. “Yes,” he admitted without hesitation.I blinked, stunned. “But… why?”He leaned back slightly, his tone calm and patient. “You got drunk last night and told me about your mother’s surgery. You cried, Isla. You told me you didn’t have the money to save her.”I felt my face flush with embarrassment. God, how could I be so stupid when I was
VICTOR’S POVAs I went through my phone I got Daniel’s text. Daniel had news—important news. He mentioned something about the Morgan case and insisted we meet face-to-face. I quickly replied, asking him to come to the office once his less busy as he said this wasn’t something to discuss over the phone.Glancing to my side, I noticed Isla deep in thought. She seemed distracted ever since the call from the hospital. Her brow furrowed slightly, her gaze distant as though she were processing something profound.I couldn’t help but smile inwardly. Isla’s directness was something I admired. Most people danced around the truth, careful with their words. Isla, however, faced matters head-on. Even when she was clearly flustered, she didn’t shy away from speaking her mind. That unpolished honesty was what made her stand out. It made her… charming.“You look like you have questions,” I said casually, breaking the silence.She glanced at me, startled, her cheeks flushing. “I just… I wasn’t expect
ISLA’S POVThe morning sun shone brightly as I made my way to the office, feeling lighter than I had in days. Knowing that my mother’s surgery bill had been taken care of gave me an immense sense of relief. Thanks to Victor, my boss, I could finally focus on work without the constant weight of worry. With a smile on my face, I entered the office, ready to tackle the day’s tasks.As soon as I stepped in, Emma stopped me.“Isla,” she said sharply, her arms crossed and her tone skeptical. “Karen told me your salary was paid in advance. Is that true?”I paused, surprised but not entirely shocked. Karen, the financial director, was Emma's close friend, so it made sense for her to hear about it. “Yes, it’s true,” I answered cautiously, unsure of where this was going.Emma narrowed her eyes, her voice rising so that everyone around us could hear. “You’ve been here for less than a week. What makes you think you deserve special treatment? What qualifications do you have to draw your salary in
ISLA’S POVThe world truly is small. As I stared at the man sitting beside me, I couldn’t help but wonder about his intentions. What was he doing here? Why had he approached me? My instincts told me to be cautious, but I couldn’t ignore the strange coincidence of running into him, someone I had seen in Victor’s office.He leaned in slightly, offering me a warm smile. “Hi,” he said smoothly.I nodded, responding with a curt, “Hello.” I wasn’t in the mood for small talk with someone I barely knew.After exchanging a few meaningless pleasantries, I couldn’t hold back my impatience any longer. I turned to him and asked directly, “What do you want from me?”My bluntness seemed to catch him off guard. He blinked in surprise before his expression softened. There was something more genuine in his demeanor now. “I guess there’s no way fooling you,” he admitted with a chuckle. “Yes, I know Victor. We’ve been friends since we were kids.”So, I was right. “A friend of Victor’s,” I repeated, study
VICTOR’S POVI sat in my office, listening as my secretary went through the schedule for the day. There was a board meeting in the afternoon to discuss the company's business plan for the next quarter. It was a crucial meeting, one that would determine our direction and strategy for the coming months.After my secretary finished, I gave him a nod and said, “Make sure the meeting documents are ready. I don’t want any mistakes.”“Yes, sir,” she responded before leaving the office.Once she was gone, I leaned back in my chair and ran a hand through my hair. I had a lot on my plate, and I needed to make sure everything was handled properly. After a brief moment of thought, I pressed the intercom button.“Isla, come to my office,” I said, my voice firm.A few minutes later, she walked in, dressed in a sharp professional suit, her hair neatly pulled back. She looked sophisticated, capable, and confident—so different from when she first joined the company. I had noticed how much she had grow
ISLA’S POVI had been working on a proposal for a while, but I never expected that I would actually have the opportunity to present it—especially not in front of the board members. When Victor told me at the last minute that I would be presenting my idea at the board meeting that afternoon, I was completely stunned.At first, I thought he was joking. Me? Presenting in front of the most powerful people in the company? It seemed too unreal. But when I saw the serious look on his face, I knew he meant every word.Just in case, I sent the proposal to him before the meeting. I wanted to be sure that my ideas made sense and that they were worthy of being presented. A part of me feared that he would think my ideas were too simple or not practical enough. But to my surprise, he really liked it.“This is a solid plan,” he told me, after going through the details. “You’ve thought it through well.”Hearing that gave me a boost of confidence. If Victor, the man who ran this entire company, though
ISLA’S POVAfter the meeting, Victor and I walked back to the office together. I still felt a rush of excitement from what had just happened. I had presented my ideas in front of the board members, and they had actually approved my proposal. It was more than I could have ever imagined.Victor turned to me as we reached the hallway. "Complete the final design drawings as soon as possible," he instructed. "The company will set up a new project team, and once the drawings are ready, we’ll launch the new series immediately."His words filled me with even more motivation. I nodded eagerly. "I understand. I'll start working on them right away.""Good." He gave me a small smile, his expression showing approval.I hurried back to my desk, my mind racing with ideas. I needed to refine my sketches, add more details, and perfect every single design. This was my chance, and I wasn’t going to waste it.Just as I opened my laptop to begin working, I suddenly felt a cold splash on my face. My breath
ISLA’S POVI sat at my desk, completely absorbed in my work. The quiet hum of the office was a comfort to me as I poured my energy into my designs. Each piece I created was more than just a design; it was an expression of my vision, my dedication. I was determined to make each one perfect. Every line, every curve had to be unique, elegant, and meaningful. It wasn’t just about creating beautiful jewelry; it was about telling a story with every piece, a story that would resonate with anyone who laid eyes on it.Over the past few days, I had spent countless hours researching classic jewelry pieces, studying the techniques of renowned designers, learning about different gemstones, and understanding what made certain designs timeless. I wanted this collection to stand out from the rest. It needed to be extraordinary—something that would leave a lasting impression on the industry, a collection that people would remember.As I worked, the excitement within me only grew. Today, I received the
VICTOR'S POVI leaned back in the chair, staring out the window as the city stretched endlessly before me. My mind was cluttered, not with the chaos of the world outside but with thoughts of Sienna. The woman who had unexpectedly come into my life and made me see things from a perspective I never thought possible. She was beautiful, strong, and confident, and I couldn’t have been more grateful for her presence. But lately, I couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of unease—a feeling that things were shifting, and I needed to make sure we were both on the same page.Our relationship had been growing steadily, and we’d reached a point where we were living together. It felt like the natural next step for us. But as much as I loved her, there was something about the future that I hadn’t yet confronted. I had spent so much time building my career in the fashion industry, creating a name for myself, and handling the endless demands of clients, but I was starting to see that I couldn’t do it
NATHAN'S POVThe morning light broke through the glass windows of my restaurant, casting long shadows across the polished floors. The atmosphere was different now—calmer, more refined. I couldn’t help but stare at the space with a sense of pride. This was it—the culmination of everything I’d worked for, everything I’d fought to rebuild after the fire that nearly destroyed me. The grand opening had been a success beyond my expectations, and the momentum was building.New customers were coming in, the buzz around the restaurant was palpable, and I had a growing list of people eager to invest in the business. It was a far cry from the old days, when I could barely keep the place running. Now, I had international clients showing interest, and local influencers were raving about the food. It was almost surreal. If you had told me a year ago that I’d be in this position, I wouldn’t have believed it. But here I was, standing at the helm of a thriving restaurant, ready to take it to the next
NATHAN'S POVThere are few moments in life when everything feels exactly right—when every ounce of pain, sweat, and late nights comes together into something that makes you believe in yourself all over again. That was what my grand opening felt like.My new restaurant wasn’t just bigger. It wasn’t just more luxurious. It was me, reborn.The space gleamed with copper accents, ambient lights, and marble counters that caught the reflection of every glass raised in celebration. The open kitchen concept allowed guests to watch us in action, the aroma of seared herbs, sizzling garlic, and glazed duck drifting across the room. There were private dining rooms now, soundproofed for VIP guests, with curated wine lists and personal chefs. We even had a rooftop lounge with a skyline view that made you forget you were still in the city.I had poured my heart into every detail—from the hand-carved wooden sign that bore my name to the recipe cards we handed out like pieces of art. I hired a stronger
ISLA'S POVI had always known Lucas wouldn't go down without a fight. But I never expected him to fight this dirty. Every morning I walked into the office now, I braced myself for the newest headline, whisper, or suspicious glance. My name had been dragged through boardroom gossip, backchannel emails, and anonymous memos. All fingers pointed at one person: Lucas.Ever since I helped Nathan, Lucas had made it his mission to tear me down. He couldn’t touch me directly—at least not in a way that would be obvious—but his games were relentless. Strategic leaks to the media. Internal rumors that I forged financial reports. Claims that I was emotionally compromised and prioritizing personal relationships over the company’s future. It was all carefully designed to paint me as a liability.But I wasn’t about to back down.At work, I held my head high, keeping my focus razor-sharp. If Lucas wanted a war, he’d get one. Only, I wouldn’t fight him the way he expected. He’d try to rattle me, make m
NATHAN'S POV hadn’t planned on stopping by Isla’s apartment, but after another late night of overseeing the renovation of my new restaurant, something in me craved the familiarity of her presence. It had been a long few months since the fire. A long few months since everything blew up—literally and emotionally.She opened the door with a blanket over her shoulders, her eyes slightly puffy, like she hadn’t been sleeping well either. We didn’t say much at first. Sometimes silence was our safe space.The new restaurant was finally coming together.I stood in the middle of the main floor, tools still scattered, the scent of fresh paint still clinging to the air. It wasn't just a rebuild. This was something better—a new version of everything I wanted to be. A statement. A fresh start.But even as I stood there, admiring the polished countertops and the ambient lighting we tested last night, my mind wandered.Victor.Sienna.I didn’t hate him. I couldn’t. Victor was a good man, even if his
SIENNA'S POVI don’t know when exactly it happened—when Victor stopped being just the man Isla used to love and started becoming the man I couldn't stop thinking about.Maybe it was in the little moments—like our late-night phone calls, or how he’d drive across town just to bring me food when I had a long day. Maybe it was in the way he looked at me, as though I was the only thing in his world that made sense. Love didn’t hit me like a train. It came slowly, gently, until suddenly I couldn’t imagine my life without Victor in it.I still remember the way he asked me to move in with him. We were sitting on his couch, legs tangled together under a throw blanket, watching an old rom-com. I had just made a snarky comment about how unrealistic the couple in the movie was, when he turned to me, his voice calm but deliberate."What if we tried it?"I looked at him, confused. "Tried what?""Living together. You and me."My heart skipped a beat.He smiled when he saw the look on my face. "I kn
SIENNA'S POVWhen Nathan told me about the fire in his restaurant, my heart dropped. The words came out casually—like it was just another rough day—but I could feel the weight behind them. I stared at him, waiting for him to say it was a joke or maybe an exaggeration. He didn’t.“Wait—what?” I asked, almost breathless. “Your restaurant… it burned down?”He gave me a quiet nod, eyes slightly distant, as if replaying the moment in his head. “Last night. Caught me off guard.”I stood frozen in his living room, my fingers tightening around the edge of my phone. “Oh my God, Nathan. Are you okay?”“I’m fine. Just… pissed.” He rubbed his hand through his hair. “Everything was gone. Tables. Kitchen. Décor. Even the cash register melted.”I moved to sit beside him on the couch. “Do you know what caused it?”Nathan’s jaw clenched. “I’m sure it was Lucas.”The name sent a wave of anger through meeven though I don't even know who he hisNathan then told me how he had been making him and Isla liv
SIENNA’S POVI’ve always liked having things figured out. Plans. Boundaries. No room for surprises.But lately, Victor has been nothing but a surprise.He asked me out yesterday.And the strange part? I wasn’t shocked.Not because I saw it coming, but because deep down—if I’m being completely honest with myself—I’d been waiting for it. Hoping for it, maybe. Even if I didn’t want to admit it.There’s been this… spark between us. A silent pull. We dance around it every time we talk. We laugh too much, our conversations last too long, and we look at each other just a second too slowly.There were never any secret feelings. No big, buried truth. Just a growing, electric sort of chemistry I kept ignoring.Until I couldn’t.Until he asked me out.And I should’ve told him before he did. I should’ve said, Hey, this thing between us? It’s not just you. I feel it too.But I didn’t.And now he’s launched the idea of us, and I’m floating somewhere between giddy and terrified.Because I like him.
VICTOR’S POVThere were exactly three things I was good at: solving problems, handling pressure, and pretending like I wasn’t slowly falling for Sienna Collins.The last one? Not going so well lately.She had this habit of showing up in my head at random times—during meetings, workouts, even while I brushed my teeth. I’d hear something funny and instantly think, Sienna would laugh at this, or smell something that reminded me of the cinnamon scent she always carried, like she rolled in fresh bakery air every morning.It was annoying.And addictive.We hadn’t called it anything—whatever this was between us. We hadn’t kissed. We hadn’t confessed anything. But the tension? It was there. Palpable. Thick enough to stir with a spoon.So I did the only reasonable thing a grown man with mildly obsessive thoughts could do.I planned a date.A real one. With no interruptions, Just her. And me.And possibly a small romantic ambush.---I picked the spot carefully. A rooftop garden restaurant in