LOGINTaylah was packing her things, her face clouded with sadness. It had only been a month, yet she already had to deal with this new position—one created exclusively for her. To learn directly from the current CEO of the company. Assistant Executive Officer… how ironic. She had told Laurence not to do anything with her position but here we are, Laurence being Laurence did a whole powerful thing. “Will you be okay, Taylah?” Felix asked. Taylah nodded, taking a deep breath. She even asked those questions to herself, Will she be okay? God knows, whether she will be or not. “Honestly… I don’t know. I’m just scared. I never wanted power or authority.” “It’s okay, Taylah. Everything will be fine.” Aryan tried to cheer her up. Meanwhile, Charlie jumped in between them. “Don’t forget about us, okay? We’re your sweet teammates.” “Of course not. To be honest, you guys never treated me like an outcast. I’m really grateful for that.” “I think you use the word grateful a bit too often. Come
“Taylah… Taylah… tsk… tsk… tsk. Because of you, I gave up my identity, my face—even my body. How can you have everything when I have nothing?”Her eyes darkened, filled with hatred. She had already set things in motion through Sam, and she was certain it would work within a few days.A few days later…Sam insisted, going against his father, to keep Briga as his secretary. Most of the time, he didn’t even let her work.She had the perfect pawn in her hands, yet she still burned with jealousy toward Taylah, who had struggled all her life. The vengeance and wicked thoughts festering in her heart consumed her, slowly dragging her into something far more vicious.“Today, we have a meeting scheduled with the Davier company, but they’ve only given us one hour.”Briga said this while looking at Sam for an answer. She had never expected Arjan to be the one who initiated the meeting—and for an unknown reason.“I didn’t arrange the meeting. It’s up to them whether they want an hour or two.”Sam
Somewhere in the city…“Briga, are you there?” Sam entered the bedroom, calling out a woman’s name.“Sam, you’re here, baby.” A girl who looked exactly like Taylah rushed out and hugged Sam Lancaster, the young master of the Lancaster family.Sam Lancaster, one of the most eligible bachelors in the city, was known for his image as an obedient and well-mannered man. However, he was never truly recognized in the business world, as he wasn’t much of a business tycoon like the others.Briga pulled away from the hug and helped him take off his tie, while Sam gently tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.“So, how was your day? Are you bored? Should we go out?” he asked softly, pecking her cheek.“I’m not bored at all. I’m fine staying at home, as long as I get to wait for you,” she said, turning her head with a forced, unpleasant smile.If nothing had happened to my face, why the hell would I stick with this loser? she thought.Briga Morris aka Dia wore a mask to hide her true identity
Laughter burst out around them as Ivano shook his head helplessly, watching Taylah giggle like a carefree child with a group of teenage girls on the sidewalk. She had already downed quite a bit of alcohol, no matter how many times he had tried to stop her. “Taylah, stop.” He gently caught her hand and pulled her away. “Sorry, girls,” he said, apologizing as he led her away. It was already midnight when they finally stepped out of the bar, after all the chaos she had stirred inside. “Let me have some fun.” “It’s my fault for bringing you here and for a first-timer, you held up quite well.” “Because I’m a strong woman.” “Yeah, yeah, I know. Now, can we go home?” Taylah nodded, then gently slipped her hand out of his and walked beside him, keeping a small distance. The weather had turned cold, biting through her spine. She felt her body stiffen against the chill. Ivano took off his coat and wrapped it around her like a cocoon. Taylah made a pouty face, making him let out a low
The place felt unusually fancy to Taylah. She had been to places like this before, yet today it felt different, almost enthralling. Nonsense, she told herself. Why should she feel excited? When she arrived, Ivano was already there, waiting. “Am I late?” Her voice trembled, though she masked it with a forced smile. “I’m early.” For a moment, neither of them spoke. Ivano might have been playing a game with her, while Taylah remained completely unaware of how his gaze bore into her. It wasn’t a dirty gaze. He wanted to claim her, to keep her hidden away from the rest of the world. “That—” “Do you—” They both spoke at the same time. “You first,” Ivano said, catching Taylah off guard. His voice, once softer in the past was now deeper, rougher, sending a strange shiver through her. “It’s you… Ivan, right? We met at the market.” A faint smile tugged at his lips. “Finally… you remembered.” Ivano kept staring at her, making her uneasy. She fidgeted with her fingers under his gaze.
Aryan and Taylah reached Credence City early in the morning. Aryan seemed more tired than usual and refused to explain why.They went to the branch office and wrote a letter for the NOC—fucking childish. Even though the HR department at the branch had already been informed about their visit, they still went on about all the procedures required to take the vendor contracts to the headquarters.“NOC, shit… for these useless documents.” Aryan splashed water on his face and wiped it off.“I think they want us to wait. I didn’t bring spare clothes in case we have to stay here.”Aryan glanced at Taylah and nodded.They both settled at an outdoor café and tried to relax. After a brief silence, Taylah decided to bring up what had been bothering her since yesterday.“Did you guys do something… and they’re targeting you?” she asked.Aryan let out a heavy sigh. “It’s a long story.”“And we’ve got plenty of time,” Taylah said, shrugging just as their coffee was served.Coffee and a bit of gossip,
Five years later “Taylah, our master’s degree ends today, I mean we are officially graduated. What are you going to do now?” Theodore Lyle draped his arm around Taylah’s neck. “Don’t choke me, man and I don't know.” Taylah said, smacking Theodore on the head. Johan Seth and Alice Davidson chuckle
That evening The bright lights of the bustling bar stung Taylah’s eyes. Louis and Dicentra had arranged a small get-together for her. “Bottoms up, guys!” Dicentra said, taking a shot before hissing at the sharp taste that hit her tongue. “Slow down, Di. Can you even handle the hangover tomorro
Winona approached Taylah with a mischievous smile. “All alone? Where is your so-called mother’s friend?”Taylah’s face tightened at the sight of her. All her life, while Dextor abused her openly, Winona had tormented her in silence. Winona sat beside her and let out a soft sigh.“Let me tell you a
The news spread fast. By morning, everyone in the city knew.“The Russell couple passed away.”The funeral hall was filled with the smell of incense and murmurs.Taylah stood near the front, dressed in black, her fingers clenched so tight they were almost pale. She didn’t cry. She felt like if she







