ANMELDEN“So, where are we going to practice?” she asked, tapping her pen against her notebook absentmindedly.“You can practice in our office,” John replied casually.Riyana nodded, but Lennox’s voice interrupted, calm and smooth. “No, that will be troublesome. Why don’t we do it at my house? It’ll be easier and more convenient.”Her eyes widened slightly. “Your house?”she repeated, stunned. John also raised his eyebrows, caught off guard.“Yes,” Lennox said, leaning lazily back in his chair, one hand draped across the armrest. “It’ll be private too, if Ms. Rivan doesn’t mind.”Riyana hesitated for a moment, her mind spinning. His house? A superstar’s home?She swallowed, trying to keep her thoughts from racing. “I… I don’t have a problem. But, uh… you’ll be okay? I mean, what if someone finds out? The media?”
John spotted them first. He waved and walked over, a tablet tucked under his arm.“Riyana, you’re here already?” he smiled, then noticed Lily. “Ms. Collins"“Just Lily, Mr. Brown ,” she corrected lightly."Sorry for that, Lily " they laughed together.and turned back to Riyana.“The actor will be here in ten minutes.Riyana nodded.Lily squeezed her arm. “I’ll go check on the costume side. We’ll talk later.”Riyana nodded. “Sure.”As Lily walked away, Riyana took a deep breath and followed John further inside. The set opened up in front of her. A fake street, half-built houses, props scattered around. It was loud, messy, alive.John led her down a quiet hallway and stopped in front of a small room near the set. He opened the door and gestured for her to go in.“You can wait here for a bit,” he said in a calm, casual tone. “The actor w
Riyana didn’t know what she was supposed to think anymore, or what she was supposed to do.She had been worried ever since that day, even though she kept telling herself she shouldn’t be. She had no right to worry.She wasn’t his secretary anymore. She had already stepped out of his world. Going back to him was not an option, no matter how restless her heart felt.Just like she expected, there was no news from Jabco after that day. No calls. No messages. Nothing.Days passed in a blur.She threw herself into her new work, forcing herself to focus, forcing her life to move forward. Slowly, she began adjusting to her new routine.Today, she had an important meeting at the film location with the actor and John. It was her first official on-site discussion, and she didn’t want to mess it up.She arrived by taxi. As soon as she paid and stepped out, she turned around casually.And froze.Her eyes stopped on a familiar b
Riyana wiped her mouth with her sleeve, disgusted, angry, hurt all at once.“Why?” she snapped. “You can’t find anyone else, so now you torture me instead?”His expression did not change. If anything, his gaze grew colder.“Why should I look for another woman,” he replied flatly, “when you’re right here? We already slept together once. What’s wrong with doing it again?”The words hit her like a slap.So that was all it was to him.Once, Again, Nothing more.Riyana let out a short, bitter laugh. Her chest felt tight, her fingers curled into fists, nails digging into her palms as she fought the urge to actually slap him.Riyana took a slow breath, forcing her voice to stay steady.“The first time was a mistake,” she said quietly. “And I’m not someone who keeps making the same mistake again and again.”She leaned a little closer, just enough
John noticed it right away.“You didn’t eat much,” he said, looking at her bowl. “Is it too spicy?”Before she could answer, he picked up the serving spoon and placed a meatball into her bowl.“Try this. It’ll help.”Riyana looked at the food, then at him. She smiled lightly.“Thank you. I’m fine.”She lowered her head, about to take a bite, when her phone vibrated again.She did not need to look to know who it was.Still, she glanced at the screen.(Are you coming here, or do I come there?)Her fingers tightened around the phone.Even through words, she could feel his anger. The impatience. The warning hidden beneath it.This was Jabco Grey. The man who never liked being ignored. The man who always got what he wanted.Riyana exhaled slowly.She did not reply.She finished her food quietly, ignoring the vibration that followed. When they stood up and paid, she felt that heavy gaze again, burning from across the street.Outside the stall, she turned to John.“I’m sorry,” she said gentl
On the second floor of the restaurant, near the wide window, Rogan stood with a cigarette between his fingers.Smoke curled lazily around him as he looked down without much interest. Then his eyes paused.He leaned slightly forward and tilted his chin toward the street below.“Hey,” he said, glancing sideways at Jabco, who was beside him. “Isn’t that your secretary?”Jabco frowned and followed Rogan’s gaze.Down there, near the crowded food stall, Riyana sat at a small table. She was laughing, her head tilted slightly as she spoke to the man across from her.It was the same man. The one he had seen her with before.Jabco’s eyes darkened without him realizing it.The street below was loud and alive. Voices, laughter, clattering plates. The smell of spices floated in the air. Riyana lifted her hand and gently pushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. The movement was small, careless, natural.The evening light softened her pale skin, making it glow in a way Jabco had never really no







