LOGINChapter 17The World I Left BehindThe weekend finally came.After an exhausting week at Moretti Group, I welcomed Saturday with open arms. No inspection reports, no meetings, no endless documents waiting for my approval.Just two days to myself.Well, technically, not entirely.It was Zia’s birthday, and I had promised the girls that I would attend. It had been a while since I last saw them, and considering how surprised everyone had been about my return, I figured it was time to show my face again.By seven in the evening, I was already getting ready.I chose an elegant dress that complemented my figure, paired with my favorite YSL stilettos and a small evening bag. My hair fell in soft waves over my shoulders, and I kept my makeup polished but not too heavy.I gave myself one last look in the mirror before grabbing my phone.“Let’s go,” I told my driver.“Where to, ma’am?”“Nicole’s place, please.”Zia’s family had hosted the celebration at their residence, and knowing her, I was a
Chapter 16A Little More Than a RoutineThe company had been unusually busy lately.Actually, busy was an understatement.It felt as though the entire building had turned into a factory machine that never stopped running. Employees moved from one department to another, phones rang almost continuously, and piles of documents seemed to multiply overnight.With several major projects officially underway, everyone had their hands full.Reou, in particular, was almost always occupied.Whenever I passed by his office, I would see him either on a phone call, reviewing documents, or meeting with people from different departments. Sometimes, even when I was already on my way out, his office lights would still be on.I had started noticing that he rarely went home before everyone else.Then again, he had always been like that.Some habits were difficult to change, especially for someone who had spent most of his life carrying responsibilities on his shoulders.Friday finally arrived.It was sup
Chapter 15The Little Things We Never SayThe week after the confrontation between Reou and Rylee, things at Moretti Group became unusually quiet.Neither of them appeared at the office together again.Reou was mostly occupied with meetings, business proposals, and whatever else demanded his attention as CEO. He rarely left his office unless necessary, and whenever he did, he was usually accompanied by Mr. Bennet or another member of the executive team.As for me, I spent most of my days in the materials inspection area, checking deliveries, reviewing specifications, and making sure everything met the required standards.We were in the same building, sometimes just a few floors apart, yet somehow, we never crossed paths.And Rylee?He hadn’t visited the office since that day.I tried not to think too much about what happened between the brothers. Whatever their disagreement was, it clearly wasn’t something either of them wanted to discuss. Even Mr. Bennet seemed particularly careful w
Elise’s POVI arrived at the office earlier than usual.These days had been a little exhausting, and after last night’s phone call with Reou, I had promised myself not to read too much into anything he did.A promise I was already struggling to keep.The office was busy as always. Phones rang, employees hurried between departments, and the sound of printers filled the room. Everyone seemed to have a hundred things to accomplish before lunchtime.I settled at my desk, opened my laptop, and began reviewing the reports from the previous week.I was halfway through my coffee-free morning when a hand appeared beside me.A cup of coffee.I looked up.Reou.He placed it beside my keyboard without saying a word.“Good morning,” I managed.He didn’t stop walking.“Morning.”And just like that, he continued toward his office as though he hadn’t done anything unusual.I stared at the cup.Then at his retreating figure.Then back at the cup.What?I slowly reached for it.It was my usual order.I
Elise’s POVYesterday, I didn’t go to work. I stayed home.For once, I didn’t bother setting an alarm or checking my emails. I didn’t even think about the reports waiting on my desk. I simply wanted to be left alone.No matter how persuasive I could be, no matter how many times I reminded myself that Reou was an engaged man, I couldn’t bring myself to act as though nothing had happened.The image kept returning to me.Marguerite leaning against his desk.Reou standing so close to her.And the way he had looked at her.I hated that it hurt. I hated even more that I couldn’t explain why I was letting it affect me so much. I had known about the engagement long before I applied to his company. I had seen the headline with my own eyes. I knew exactly where I was placing myself. But seeing them together made everything feel painfully real.“Miss Aurora?”I looked up from the sofa.One of our housekeepers stood by the doorway, holding a small tray.“Yes?”“Would you like some lunch?”I glanc
Reou’s POV“What do you need, Rylee?”I didn’t bother looking up from the documents on my desk when my younger brother walked into my office without an appointment.Lately, he had developed an unusual interest in my workplace.Ever since Elise started working for me, Rylee had become noticeably more active around the company. He appeared in meetings he previously wouldn’t bother attending, visited my office for reasons that could easily be handled through email, and somehow always managed to be around whenever Elise was nearby.Coincidence, apparently.I didn’t believe in coincidences.“Am I not allowed to visit my older brother?”“Don’t mock me.”He chuckled, walking toward my desk.“Relax. Father asked me to deliver these.”He placed a folder in front of me.I finally looked up.“What is it?”“New contract proposal. The development of the largest casino project in Makati. Father wants you to review the initial terms before the meeting with the investors.”I opened the folder and ski







